Abizaid Talks About VT Commencement Speech

Jay Warren / WSLS NewsChannel 10
Published: April 24, 2007

Retired General John Abizaid addressed the cadets and faculty at VMI Tuesday morning. Abizaid is the former commander of the American forces in the Middle East and he gave the cadets a frank assessment of the war, describing it as, "a long war and one that you need to be prepared to deal with for most of your careers."

But even on VMI's campus, Abizaid couldn't avoid the tragedy at Virginia Tech.

"I offer my deepest condolences to the parents, students, the families of Virginia Tech for the terrible tragedy that has taken place there," he said after his speech.

Abizaid will be able to deliver those condolences in person in three weeks, as he will be the commencement speaker for Tech's graduation.

As for the message this four-star general, who has seen great loss and senseless death in the past, will bring to Tech, he says, "I'm sure I'll have a message of hope, toughness, and condolences that will hopefully resonate well with the people out there. I want to congratulate them for the way they are getting on with their lives. I think it's one of the most impressive things I've seen."