Secretary of Defense to Address Graduating VMI Cadets

The Virginia Military Institute ^ | April 6, 2006 | VMI

[Tank-FL]

LEXINGTON, Va., April 6, 2006 - Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld will deliver the commencement address to Virginia Military Institute's graduating cadets on May 16.

The commencement exercise is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. in Cameron Hall.

This will mark the secretary's first visit to VMI in his tenure as Secretary of Defense.

"The Class of 2006 is honored to have Secretary Rumsfeld as our commencement speaker," said class president Cadet Michael R. Pasquale of South Salem, N.Y. "Duty and service to the nation are examples of Secretary Rumsfeld's character which we all should emulate. The sacrifice and hardship of a VMI education has prepared us for our future responsibility to the United States. I'm sure the Class of 2006 will find his participation memorable."

Pasquale said the members of the class appreciate the obligations they will assume upon graduation. The fact that Secretary Rumsfeld is a major national leader makes him an appropriate speaker for graduates who will pursue careers of leadership in the military and civilian sectors.

VMI's superintendent, Gen. J.H. Binford Peay III, said Secretary Rumsfeld's career offers an example of the public service the Institute attempts to instill in its cadets.

"From the time he entered the Navy after graduating from Princeton to today, Secretary Rumsfeld has always been at the call of his country," Peay said. "We expect the young people who graduate from VMI to serve their nation and their community, whether in uniform or in civilian life, when the need arises. Secretary Rumsfeld's example is certainly one I hope they will strive to emulate."

Secretary Rumsfeld, a former Navy pilot, served as secretary of defense under President Gerald Ford from 1975 to 1977, and was sworn in as secretary for a second time on Jan. 20, 2001, to serve under President George W. Bush. He also served as White House chief of staff, U.S. ambassador to NATO, Congressman, and chief executive officer of two Fortune 500 companies.

As many as 245 cadets are set to receive diplomas during the ceremony, with approximately 105 of them being commissioned into the U.S. Armed Forces prior to the commencement. In addition, several foreign cadets will be commissioned into the Armed Forces of their respective countries.

-VMI-

[Tank-FL]

"You go to Graduation with the speaker your given" from "The Cadet"

All Keydets Stand Tall

[Darnright]

Here's a report on the graduation:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1633231/posts