Over the weekend, Vice President Kamala Harris spoke to the cadets at West Point Military Academy’s commencement exercises. Not only did this weekend make it the first time that Harris visited the prestigious institution, but it was also the first time in the academy’s 221-year history that a woman served as a commencement speaker.
Prior to the graduation ceremony, U.S. Military Academy’s superintendent Lt. Gen. Steven W. Gilland expressed the academy’s excitement over having Vice President Harris present at the commencement in a statement. “We are honored to have the Vice President as our commencement speaker. As an accomplished leader who has achieved significant milestones throughout her career, we look forward to her inspiring remarks to our cadets,” he said.
In her remarks to the graduating class, Vice President Harris shared, “To the class of 2023 and to all the cadets here today. You stand on the broad shoulders of generations of Americans who have worn the uniform, including many barrier breakers and trailblazers. In fact, this year, you celebrate the 75th anniversary of the integration of women in the military, as well as the desegregation of our military. These milestones are a reminder of a fundamental truth: Our military is strongest when it fully reflects the people of America.”
Check out Vice President Harris’ full speech below.
