奥巴马西点军校演讲稿.doc

THE PRESIDENT: It is wonderful to be back at the United States Militaiy Academy 一 the oldest continuously occupied military post in America ~ as vve commission the newest officers in the United States Amiv.Thank you, General Hagcnbcck, lor your introduclion, on a day that holds special ineaning lor 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 vour command. You9vc led this Academy to a well-deserved recognition: best college in America. (Applause.) And today, voifre both looking tonvard to a well-deserved retirement from the Army. General Hagcnbcck and Judy, General Finnegan and Joan, vve thank you for 39 \rears of remarkable service to the Army and to Anierica. (Applause.)To the Commandant, General Rapp, the Academy staff and faculty, most of whom are veterans, tliank you for your sendee and for inspiring these cadets to become the uleaders of character^ they arc today- (Applause.) Let me also acknowledge the presence of General Shinseki, Secretaiy McHugh, the members of Congress who arc 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 一 this day is a tribute to you as well. The decision to conic to West Point was made by your sons and (laughters, but it was you who instilled in them a spirit of sendee 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 pntriotism. (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-ChieE As your Supcrintcnclcnt indicated, under our constitutional system my power as President is wisely limited. But there arc some areas where my power is absolute. And so, as your Coininandcr-in-Chict I hereby absolve all cadets who arc on restriction for minor conduct oflenses. (Apj)lause.) I will leave the definition of “minor” 一 (laugliter) 一 lo those who know better. (laughter.)Class of 2010, today is your day 一 a day to celebrate all (hat you've achieved, in the finest tiadition of the soldier-scholar, and to look forward to the important service that lies ahead.You have pushed yourself du ough the agony of Beast Barracks, tlie weeks of training in rain and mud, and, Pm told, more inspections and drills than perhaps any class belbre you. Along the wav, Fm sure von laced a lew nioinents when you asked yourself: uWliat am I doing hcrc?^ I have those moments sometimes. (Laughter.)You've trained f()r the complexities of todav^s missions, knowing that success will be measured not merely by performance on the battlefield, but also by vour unclerstanding ol tlie cultures and traditions and languages in tlie i)lace where von scivc.You9vc reached out across borders, with more international experience than any class in Academy history- Yoifve not only attended foreign academies to forge new friendships, you've welcomed into your ranks cadets from nearly a dozencountries.You9vc challenged \roursclf intcllcctualhr in the sciences and the humanities, in histoiy and technology. Yoifve achieved a standard of academic excellence that is without qucslion, tying the record lor the most i)ost-gia(luatc scholarships of any class in West Point histoiy. (Applause-)This inchidcs vour number one overall cadet and vour valedictorian 一 Liz Betterbed and Alex Rosenberg. And by the way, this is the first time in Academy histoiy where your two top awards liave been earned by female candidates. (Applause.) This underscores a fact that Fve seen in the laces of our troops from Baghdad to Bagram 一 in the 21st century, our women in unilbrni 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 tlie United States armed forces.And the laces in this stadium show a simple truth: Americans Amiy represents the lull breadth of Americans experience. You come from every corner of our countiy -from privilege and from poverty, from cities and small towns. You worsliip all of the great religions that enrich the life of our people. You include the vast diversity of race and ethnicity that is f uiKlamental to our nation^ strength.There is, however, one thing that sets you apart. Here in these quid hills, you've come together to prepare for the most diflicult test of our time. You signed up knowing \rour scn icc would send you into harm^s way，and you did so long after the first drums of war were sounded. In you vve see the conunitmcnt of our country, and timeless virtues that have seived our nation well.We see your sense of duty - including those who have earned their right shoulder patch ~ tlieir right shoulder combat patches, like the soldier who suflerecl a g。