President Obama headlines 2016 Air Force Academy Graduation ceremony
President Barack Obama delivered his second and final commencement speech to a graduating class at the United States Air Force Academy Thursday.
The president’s address touched on a number of topics with an overriding theme of balancing seeing the world as it is and making good decisions based on facts, while remaining idealistic when it comes to American values.
Early in the speech, Obama noted that the Waldo Canyon Fire was underway when the Class of 2016 arrived at the Academy four years ago.
After granting amnesty to cadets who were being punished for minor offenses, Obama transitioned into a discussion about America’s strengths. “”The United States of America remains the most powerful nation on earth and a force for good,” he said.
President Obama said that America’s standing in the world is higher than it was when he took office, which is evidenced in his travels. “The United States is better positioned to lead in the 21st century than any other nation,” he said.
Before discussing the challenges that the world and America face, the president noted that there have been darker times in history, such as during World War II. “We are blessed to be living in the most peaceful, most prosperous era in human history,” he said.
While the president argued that times are comparatively good, he acknowledged that there are challenges. “We face serious threats. Terrorist networks slaughter the innocent and plot attacks against our nation,” he said.
As the speech continued, the president decried isolationism as a “false comfort” but warned against engaging in wars without careful consideration, and only as a last resort. “Often times the greatest damage to American credibility comes when we overreach,” he said.
President Obama dedicated a large chunk of the speech to diplomacy. He argued that many potentially deadly and costly conflicts have been avoided through diplomacy, and that America should not put its military fighters in harms way unless it is the only option.
The president also mentioned diversity and inclusion in the military saying that we are stronger as a country for having women in high ranking positions and that “We’re stronger when our gay and lesbian cadets can serve their country and the country they love without hiding who they love.”
Of the 1,035 cadets who started at the Air Force Academy four years ago, 824 are receiving their diplomas.
The ceremony began about 25 minutes late. The annual Thunderbirds flyover that happens at the end of the graduation is scheduled for approximately noon, but will likely happen later than that.
