Friday, May 22, 2009

Obama Gives Naval Academy Commencement




Update: Video below!
The commencement, which starts around 10 a.m., is being live streamed at cnn.com.
Jack McCain will be graduating at the commencement. Dad John McCain will be watching.
The speech will be Mr. Obama’s first military academy graduation address as president – a rite of passage for any commander in chief. A senior administration official, previewing the address, said Mr. Obama would use it to “discuss our shared commitment to uphold our fundamental principles and values because they help keep us safe’’ – in effect, a recap of the argument he made Thursday at the National Archives in Washington.
About the graduating class:
More than a quarter of this year's U.S. Naval Academy graduates will be commissioned as officers in the Marine Corps, the highest number in a decade and a reflection of the need for ground commanders in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The number of graduates sought by the Marine Corps has grown steadily since the aftermath of the 2001 terrorist attacks sent Marines into combat in the two countries. The academy had no trouble finding 273 graduating midshipmen eager to meet the Corps' request. WaPo


Photo stream: