2010奥巴马西点军校毕业典礼演讲

Download Video: http://www.whitehouse.gov/videos/2010/May/052210_WestPointNY.mp4

Download Audio: http://www.whitehouse.gov/videos/2010/May/052210_WestPointNY.mp3

Remarks by the President at United States Military Academy at West Point Commencement<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Michie Stadium, West Point, New York

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.  Please be seated.  Thank you very much.  Good morning.

AUDIENCE:  Good morning.

THE PRESIDENT: It is wonderful to be back at the United States Military Academy -- the oldest continuously occupied military post in America -- as we commission the newest officers in the United States Army.

Thank you, General Hagenbeck, for your introduction, on a day that holds special meaning for you and the Dean, General Finnegan.  Both of you first came to West Point in the Class of 1971 and went on to inspire soldiers under your command.  You’ve led this Academy to a well-deserved recognition:  best college in America.  (Applause.)  And today, you’re both looking forward to a well-deserved retirement from the Army.  General Hagenbeck and Judy, General Finnegan and Joan, we thank you for 39 years of remarkable service to the Army and to America.  (Applause.)

To the Commandant, General Rapp, the Academy staff and faculty, most of whom are veterans, thank you for your service and for inspiring these cadets to become the “leaders of character” they are today.  (Applause.)  Let me also acknowledge the presence of General Shinseki, Secretary McHugh, the members of Congress who are with us here today, including two former soldiers this Academy knows well, Senator Jack Reed and Congressman Patrick Murphy.  (Applause.)

To all the families here -- especially all the moms and dads -- this day is a tribute to you as well.  The decision to come to West Point was made by your sons and daughters, but it was you who instilled in them a spirit of service that has led them to this hallowed place in a time of war.  So on behalf of the American people, thank you for your example and thank you for your patriotism.  (Applause.)

To the United States Corps of Cadets, and most of all, the Class of 2010 -- it is a singular honor to serve as your Commander-in-Chief.  As your Superintendent indicated, under our constitutional system my power as President is wisely limited.  But there are some areas where my power is absolute.  And so, as your Commander-in-Chief, I hereby absolve all cadets who are on restriction for minor conduct offenses.  (Applause.)  I will leave the definition of “minor” -- (laughter) -- to those who know better.  (Laughter.)

Class of 2010, today is your day -- a day to celebrate all that you’ve achieved, in the finest tradition of the soldier-scholar, and to look forward to the important service that lies ahead.

You have pushed yourself through the agony of Beast Barracks, the weeks of training in rain and mud, and, I’m told, more inspections and drills than perhaps any class before you.  Along the way, I’m sure you faced a few moments when you asked yourself:  “What am I doing here?”  I have those moments sometimes.  (Laughter.)

You’ve trained for the complexities of today’s missions, knowing that success will be measured not merely by performance on the battlefield, but also by your understanding of the cultures and traditions and languages in the place where you serve.

You’ve reached out across borders, with more international experience than any class in Academy history.  You’ve not only attended foreign academies to forge new friendships, you’ve welcomed into your ranks cadets from nearly a dozen countries.

You’ve challenged yourself intellectually in the sciences and the humanities, in history and technology.  You’ve achieved a standard of academic excellence that is without question, tying the record for the most post-graduate scholarships of any class in West Point history.  (Applause.)

This includes your number one overall cadet and your valedictorian -- Liz Betterbed and Alex Rosenberg.  And by the way, this is the first time in Academy history where your two top awards have been earned by female candidates.  (Applause.)

This underscores a fact that I’ve seen in the faces of our troops from Baghdad to Bagram -- in the 21st century, our women in uniform play an indispensable role in our national defense.  And time and again, they have proven themselves to be role models for our daughters and our sons -- as students and as soldiers and as leaders in the United States armed forces.

And the faces in this stadium show a simple truth:  America’s Army represents the full breadth of America’s experience.  You come from every corner of our country -- from privilege and from poverty, from cities and small towns.  You worship all of the great religions that enrich the life of our people.  You include the vast diversity of race and ethnicity that is fundamental to our nation’s strength.