Vice President Kamala Harris delivered a commencement speech to the U.S. Air Force Academy graduates in Colorado. She praised the graduates for their ability to innovate and highlighted the importance of air and space power in maintaining national security. Harris also mentioned the current roles of the Air Force and Space Force in various global situations, such as deterring Russia and China, and defending countries like Ukraine and Israel. She encouraged the graduates to uphold the oath to the Constitution and not to a person or political party.
President Joe Biden had recently addressed the U.S. Military Academy graduates, emphasizing the increased demands on the military in various parts of the world. Harris commended the technological literacy of the Air Force Academy graduates, who have grown up with computers and the internet. She urged them to continue innovating, especially in areas like artificial intelligence as warfare evolves. The speeches, including Harris’, were free of politics, and she even made a light-hearted joke about waiving minor violations of the cadet disciplinary system.
Harris stressed the importance of the oath taken by the graduates, noting its constancy in a world of continuous change. The class gifted Harris an honorary membership to the U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 2024, symbolizing their appreciation for her speech. The commencement ceremony concluded with graduates throwing their caps in the air as the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, flew overhead. Harris closed her speech by lauding the graduates for joining the “greatest fighting force the world has ever seen,” highlighting the noble nature of serving the nation in uniform.
The graduation ceremony at the U.S. Air Force Academy served as an opportunity for Vice President Kamala Harris to address the graduates and reflect on the significance of airpower in maintaining national security. Harris praised the technological prowess of the graduates and encouraged them to continue innovating in the evolving landscape of warfare. The speeches were devoid of political undertones, and Harris emphasized the importance of upholding the oath to the Constitution above all else. The event concluded with a symbolic gesture of the graduates presenting Harris with an honorary membership to the U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 2024, signifying their gratitude for her words of encouragement.
