Rep. Williams nominates MFHS senior to USAF Academy

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Marble Falls High School senior James Garrison has been working with a U.S. Army recruiter to qualify has a Black Hawk crew member.

But that is “Plan B” in a well-mapped life course that suddenly looked set for “Plan A” Friday, Dec. 16.

Congressman Roger Williams presented Garrison a nomination to the U.S. Air Force Academy in a surprise ceremony. It was attended by that recruiter, Sgt. 1st Class Nathan Meyers, school representatives, scout leaders and his family—parents, Jesse and Debbie Garrison; younger brother, Jesse, and grandparents, Sam and Delores Garrison.

“Every year, our office nominates several students to attend Service Academies across the country, this year we had the great opportunity to nominate James Garrison from Marble Falls High School to attend the United States Air Force Academy,” said Congressman Williams. “By volunteering to serve our Country, and being willing to fight for it, that makes him a true patriot.”

Earning a nomination to the Air Force Academy places Garrison in a select group of students. Each member of Congress and the Vice President may have only five cadets at the Air Force Academy at any one time. To make it even more elite, vacancies only occur when cadets graduate or leave prior to graduation.

Superintendent Chris Allen, PhD, represented the Marble Falls Independent School District staff on hand, calling Garrison “the best and the brightest of Marble Falls High School” and recounting his achievements as a member of the MFHS Mustang football team and marching band.

“When you have kids in your school you can point to as role models for your own children, you know you are in the right place,” said Allen.

“The last step is acceptance to the academy and we think he will qualify,” said Myers, flanked by beaming Boy Scout Troop 284 Leader Sam Stacks and Assistant Leader Craig Magerkurth.

“I think I've spent more time with James than his family, lately,” said Stacks.

He and Magerkurth had been putting Garrison through the paces of earning his Eagle Scout rank, an honor presented formally Monday night, Dec. 12.

“We're super proud of him,” said Garrison's father. “The nomination ranked right up there with the birth of those kids.”

Garrison's older brother, Andrew, serves in the U.S. Navy, but that is not his only military connection. His grandfather attending the ceremony is retired from the U.S. Army and Marine Corps. His maternal grandfather in Arizona is retired from the U.S. Air Force and his late uncle was an Army veteran.

The high school senior had to think a bit when asked how long the Air Force Academy had been a goal, and the answer was surprising: “I guess since middle school.

“I was lucky to get a the recruitment slot I applied for. It's a solid backup plan, and I still have to be accepted to the academy, but this was always 'Plan A.'

“I'll find out if I am accepted in June. If I am, I'll report in late summer.”

“I had no idea this was happening.. I knew I didn't have to be at school today, so I guess I wasn't too happy I was having to come in, but I don't mind now. It was an honor.”

Barring acceptance to the academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Garrison is scheduled to report for Army Basic Training 12 days after graduation to begin a track toward becoming a 15T Black Hawk Crew Chief.

Meyers said Garrison was his second recruit to receive a military academy nomination this year and he would be pleased to step aside and see them go on to become commissioned officers at the end of four years of college.