Vice President Biden at West Point
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Cadets from the class of 2012 line the road as Vice President Joe Biden's motorcade pulls in, the United States Military Academy at West Point.
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A female cadet sits in the front row at the 2012 commencement ceremony at the United States Military Academy at West Point.
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Vice President Joe Biden delivers the commencement address at the United States Military Academy at West Point.
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Vice President Joe Biden shakes hands and delivers diplomas during commencement ceremonies at the United States Military Academy at West Point.
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Newly commissioned 2nd lieutenants throw their hats in the air during the 2012 commencement at the United States Military Academy at West Point.
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Newly commissioned 2nd lieutenants hug after the 2012 commencement ceremony at the United States Military Academy at West Point.
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Last weekend, Vice President Biden delivered the commencement address to the graduating seniors at U.S. Military Academy.
He told the Class of 2012 that they are joining a proud tradition:
West Point has prepared you to lead us to face these new challenges, some of which we have yet to even contemplate, let alone encounter. Because as I said at the start, you are not only strong and committed, you are also some of our nation’s sharpest minds, with the training to take today’s missions -- counterinsurgency, counterterrorism, training foreign armies -- and the minds to adapt to tomorrow’s horizons, from cyberspace to outer space.
There is such a proud history here. Such a proud tradition. And I have no doubt that many of you in this class are not only going to make extraordinary contributions to the military but also to civilian life because West Point is in the business of producing -- not only great officers –- it produces great leaders and great Americans.
As President Theodore Roosevelt said, upon West Point’s Centennial, 110 years ago next month, he said: “Your duty here at West Point has been to fit men to do well in war. But it is a noteworthy fact that you also have fitted them to do singularly well in peace. The highest positions in the land have been held, not exceptionally, but again and again by West Pointers.” West Pointers who have risen to the first rank in all occupations of civilian life.
Were he here today he’d only alter that quote slightly –- young men and women are prepared to do that.
Read the Vice President's full remarks here.
