In his address to the U.S. Military Academy graduates on Saturday, President Joe Biden underscored the unique challenges they are set to face as newly commissioned Army second lieutenants.
He emphasized that their class is being summoned to address threats worldwide and uphold the nation's principles domestically "like none before."
The President's remarks resonated with the class motto, highlighting the diverse responsibilities they will shoulder, ranging from bolstering Ukraine's defense against Russia's invasion to facilitating humanitarian aid into Gaza and defending Israel from Iran's attacks.
"Theres never been a time in history when weve asked our military to do so many different things in some many different places around the world, all at the same time," Biden stated.
Speaking at the sun-drenched West Point, Biden reiterated his commitment to keeping American service members off the battlefield in Ukraine. However, he lauded their efforts in equipping and training Ukrainian forces, which he said had "stepped up and stopped" Russian President Vladimir Putin's "brazen vision" for Europe. He also commended U.S. forces for aiding Israel in repelling a significant drone and ballistic missile attack from Iran last month and their efforts to deescalate the conflict.
Before the graduating cadets took their commissioning oaths, Biden reminded them that their loyalty was pledged not to an individual or political party, but to the Constitution. Amid references to partisan discord and political division across the nation by other speakers, Biden urged the graduates to "Hold fast to your values that you learned here at West Point."
"Ideas need defenders to make them real," Biden said. "Thats what you are all about. You must keep us free at this time like none before.
Biden also noted that the rates of sexual assault and harassment in the military had declined for the first time in a decade last year, a development he described as "long past time," but emphasized that more work was necessary.
The President spent over an hour returning salutes and shaking hands with each graduate. In a customary gesture, Biden absolved the cadets of minor offenses committed during their time at the academy, humorously adding, "the superintendent can clarify what minor means."
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