Vice President JD Vance to speak at USAFA commencement

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Vice President J.D. Vance will serve as the commencement speaker for the 68th Air Force Academy graduation, scheduled for next Thursday in Colorado Springs.

More than 900 cadets are set to commission as officers into the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force during the ceremony.

The commencement speaker for the Air Force Academy typically rotates among the President, Vice President, Secretary of Defense and Secretary of the Air Force. It is not every year that someone from the White House speaks at the event. Just two years ago, then-Vice President Kamala Harris delivered the address and President Biden spoke the year prior.

Vice President Vance is a veteran, having served four years in the Marine Corps, which included a tour of duty in Iraq.

The graduation ceremony is a celebration of the accomplishments and hard work of the cadets. These graduates will move directly into leadership positions within their respective branches.

Each year, the Air Force Thunderbirds perform a flyover to conclude the ceremony.

Tickets for the general public will be distributed starting May 20.

Free tickets are available at these locations:

• The Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development and Visitor Center, 166 Second St. in Monument.
  • Tickets will be available at this location beginning at 9 a.m., Wednesday, May 20.

• Visit Colorado Springs, 515 S. Cascade Ave in Colorado Springs.
  • Tickets will be available at this location beginning at 08:30 a.m., Thursday, May 21.
• If graduation ceremonies relocate indoors for any reason, these publicly held tickets will not be honored.

KRDO13 will be live at the graduation next week. Click here for the livestream on the day of graduation.

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