Defense Secretary addresses VMI graduates

By Jay Warren
WSLS10 Anchor
Published: May 16, 2008

The class of 2008 at VMI graduated today. They made it, but not before hearing from Defense Secretary Robert Gates who joked, “And just when you thought you were at that finish line, one more hurdle pops up. That would be my speech.”

Gates delivered the keynote address to the 246 graduating cadets, but first he had some advice for their parents.

“Trust me on this, if you think you have written the last check to your son or daughter, dream on. The ‘National Bank of Mom and Dad’ is still open.”

Laughs aside, Gates was not here to break news about terrorism or the war in Iraq. Instead, his mission was to two fold. First, he honored the 1,200 VMI grads who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan including the 8 who didn’t come home. 

“What a tribute to this institution and the values it instills, to the men and women who are drawn to its rigors and duties.”

Part two of his mission was a call to service during dangerous times.

“The stakes are too high,” he warned. “And it is precisely during these times that America needs it best and brightest from all walks of life to step forward and commit to public service.”

The sell isn’t hard to this audience. Over half plan to go into the military, like Class President Jason Webb who introduced Gates.

“I want to serve my country and that’s the best way to do it,” he said. Webb is going into the Navy.

No matter how they serve, Cadet Thomas Cunningham is sure of this:

“We are prepared to take on whatever is out there,” The Columbus, Ohio native said. “I’m really confident our class is going to do big things.”

Sec. Gates is equally confident.

“Your country asks nothing more than that you live up to the values that you have learned and lived in this place for the past four years,” he said. “You owe yourself nothing less.”