President Biden delivers commencement address to West Point cadets
“...We’re doing what only America can do. As the indispensable nation, the world’s only superpower and the leading democracy in the world. Never forget America is the strongest when we lead not only by our example of our power, but by the power of our example...
West Pointers know better than anyone -- freedom is not free; it requires constant vigilance; and from the very beginning nothing is guaranteed about our democracy in America. Every generation has an obligation to defend it, protect it, to preserve it, to choose it.
And now it's your turn. Remember what over 1,000 graduates of West Point wrote to the Class of 2020 four years ago: 'The oath you've taken here has no expiration date,' they said. 'Not for you, not for your country. It's important to your nation now, as it's ever been. Keep it, honor it, and live it' ...
In the early days of our nation, as General Washington said, West Point was the key of America. Today you're still the key because of your commitment to protect what makes America, America. We're unique in the world. We're the only country in the world founded on an idea. Other countries are founded based on geography, ethnicity, religion and other attributes. We're the only one founded on an idea -- not figuratively, literally.
The idea is we're ALL created equal, deserve to be treated equally throughout our lives. But ideas need defenders to make them real. That's what you, the Class of 2024 are all about -- defenders of freedom, champions of liberty, guardians of American democracy.
And just as this historic institution helped make America free over two centuries ago, and just as generations of West Point graduates have kept us free through every challenge and danger, you must keep us free at THIS time, like none before.
I know you can, I know you will. For we are the United States of America. There is nothing, nothing beyond our capacity when we do it together.
May God bless you all, and may God protect our troops. Congratulations, Class of 2024.
= new reply since forum marked as read
