On Saturday, May 25th, President Joe Biden delivered a speech at the United States Military Academy, commonly known as West Point, emphasizing the crucial role the United States plays in supporting global allies including Israel, Ukraine, and the Indo-Pacific region.
According to reports by Reuters, 1,036 cadets at West Point who are soon to graduate as Army second lieutenants listened to President Biden’s address, highlighting the government’s commitment to supporting both active-duty and veteran service members. This effort includes a bipartisan law signed by Biden two years ago to make it easier for veterans to access healthcare.
Biden praised American soldiers for working “day and night” to support Ukraine in repelling Russia’s two-year invasion, reiterating his promise not to send American troops into combat.
“We stand firmly with Ukraine,” Biden told the crowd, “We will stand with them.” His speech was met with enthusiastic applause.
He also underscored America’s role in countering Iran’s missile attacks against Israel and supporting allies in the Indo-Pacific region against the growing militarism of the Chinese Communist Party.
Biden stated, “Thank you to the U.S. Armed Forces, as an indispensable nation and the world’s only superpower, we are doing what only America can do.”
The President is scheduled to participate in the Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia on Monday. A week later, he will travel to France to attend the 80th-anniversary commemoration of D-Day.
It is anticipated that Biden will deliver an important speech on the heroic events of the Allied forces during World War II and the ongoing threats faced by democracy today.
During his time as Vice President, Biden addressed cadets at West Point twice, but this is his first speech at the academy as President.
As the first military academy in the United States, West Point is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2020, former President Donald Trump spoke at the graduation ceremony at the academy.
Founded by President Thomas Jefferson in 1802, West Point aims to train Army officers and has produced some of America’s greatest generals, two of whom later became Presidents of the United States.