WEBVTT 00:00.460 --> 00:03.050 (suspenseful orchestral music) 00:03.050 --> 00:04.320 - [Announcer] Ladies and gentlemen, 00:04.320 --> 00:07.260 on behalf of Lieutenant General Jay Silveria, 00:07.260 --> 00:10.490 the superintendent of the United States Air Force Academy, 00:10.490 --> 00:13.573 welcome to your Air Force Academy. 00:17.290 --> 00:19.840 Today, we celebrate the latest additions 00:19.840 --> 00:22.510 to the Long Blue Line of academy graduates 00:22.510 --> 00:25.250 as we launch the newest second lieutenants 00:25.250 --> 00:27.310 into service to our nation, 00:27.310 --> 00:31.420 the 61st graduating class of the academy. 00:31.420 --> 00:33.780 Thanks for sharing in this landmark event 00:33.780 --> 00:35.453 in our graduates' lives. 00:37.200 --> 00:38.840 Please, take your seats 00:38.840 --> 00:41.143 as we prepare for this momentous occasion. 00:47.200 --> 00:49.710 The Neil Armstrong Class of 2019 00:49.710 --> 00:51.973 will be marching onto the field soon. 00:57.760 --> 01:00.360 We appreciate your support in their development 01:00.360 --> 01:02.060 into leaders of character 01:02.060 --> 01:04.080 who will serve the greatest air force 01:04.080 --> 01:05.443 the world has ever known. 01:13.650 --> 01:17.013 Once again, thank you for joining us for today's ceremony. 01:34.400 --> 01:35.900 - [Announcer] Ladies and gentlemen, 01:35.900 --> 01:38.750 at this time, we ask you to take your seats, 01:38.750 --> 01:43.250 and direct your attention to the east side of the stadium. 01:43.250 --> 01:45.640 Welcome representatives of the faculty 01:45.640 --> 01:48.343 of (audio skipping) States Air Force Academy. 01:56.468 --> 01:59.968 ("Pomp and Circumstance") 02:01.950 --> 02:06.100 Leading the precessional and carrying USAFA's academic mace 02:06.100 --> 02:10.540 is Brigadier General Andrew Armacost, dean of the faculty, 02:10.540 --> 02:12.690 followed by the permanent professors 02:12.690 --> 02:16.450 appointed by Congress, academic department heads, 02:16.450 --> 02:18.710 distinguished visiting professors, 02:18.710 --> 02:22.670 members of the faculty, and preparatory school staff. 02:22.670 --> 02:25.640 Just as the traditions of military pageantry 02:25.640 --> 02:28.870 honor the service of members of the armed forces, 02:28.870 --> 02:32.430 the academic procession honors academic achievement 02:32.430 --> 02:35.103 and reflects centuries of university history. 02:51.700 --> 02:56.083 Civilian faculty wear their traditional academic regalia 02:56.083 --> 02:58.990 prescribed by the degrees they hold. 02:58.990 --> 03:02.520 Each element identifies the highest degree earned, 03:02.520 --> 03:05.500 bachelors, masters, or doctorate, 03:05.500 --> 03:08.140 as well as the degree-granting institution 03:08.140 --> 03:09.123 and field of study. 03:21.870 --> 03:25.400 Military faculty are valued for the Air Force experience 03:25.400 --> 03:27.639 they bring to the classroom. 03:27.639 --> 03:30.820 (audio skipping) faculty have earned a (audio skipping) 03:30.820 --> 03:32.870 and many hold doctorates. 03:32.870 --> 03:34.800 These officers are selected 03:34.800 --> 03:37.340 through a highly competitive process 03:37.340 --> 03:40.190 before returning to the academy as instructors 03:40.190 --> 03:42.480 or air officers commanding. 03:42.480 --> 03:45.360 In many cases, they teach in the same classrooms 03:45.360 --> 03:48.497 where they sat students only a few years before. 07:24.576 --> 07:28.010 (audience applauding) 07:28.010 --> 07:30.940 We are proud of our outstanding faculty 07:30.940 --> 07:34.920 who march in today to honor the Class of 2019. 07:34.920 --> 07:37.330 Please join us in recognizing them. 07:38.515 --> 07:41.682 (audience applauding) 07:54.090 --> 07:55.753 - Wing, tench-hut! 07:58.700 --> 08:00.010 Ladies and gentlemen, 08:00.010 --> 08:02.560 please stand for the arrival of the official party. 08:08.260 --> 08:09.870 Ladies and gentlemen, 08:09.870 --> 08:12.280 please welcome the secretary of the Air Force, 08:12.280 --> 08:14.410 the honorable Heather Wilson, 08:14.410 --> 08:16.300 the chief of staff of the Air Force, 08:16.300 --> 08:18.260 General David Goldfein, 08:18.260 --> 08:19.280 and the superintendent 08:19.280 --> 08:21.340 of the United States Air Force Academy, 08:21.340 --> 08:23.643 Lieutenant General Jay Silveria. 08:24.514 --> 08:27.681 (audience applauding) 09:08.127 --> 09:11.294 (audience applauding) 09:44.533 --> 09:47.093 Wing, present arms! 09:50.073 --> 09:51.060 (bright orchestral music) 09:51.060 --> 09:52.120 Ladies and gentlemen, 09:52.120 --> 09:56.009 the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump. 09:56.009 --> 09:59.009 (audience cheering) 10:00.250 --> 10:03.417 ("Hail to the Chief") 11:19.655 --> 11:21.355 - [Crowd Member] (inaudible)! 11:21.355 --> 11:23.736 (audience cheering) 11:23.736 --> 11:25.719 - Thank you very much. 11:25.719 --> 11:27.386 Thank you very much. 11:29.934 --> 11:33.067 (audience cheering) 11:33.067 --> 11:34.567 - Wing, order arm! 11:50.736 --> 11:53.736 (audience cheering) 12:16.980 --> 12:18.530 Ladies and gentlemen, 12:18.530 --> 12:21.480 please welcome the graduating Class of 2019. 12:22.747 --> 12:25.747 (audience cheering) 12:27.990 --> 12:31.490 (bright orchestral music) 21:14.520 --> 21:16.033 Graduates, halt! 21:19.012 --> 21:19.845 Left face! 21:23.580 --> 21:26.083 Wing, present arms! 21:28.680 --> 21:29.740 Please remaining standing 21:29.740 --> 21:33.120 for the playing of the national anthem and the invocation. 21:35.550 --> 21:38.967 ("Star-Spangled Banner") 22:39.623 --> 22:42.623 (audience cheering) 22:48.270 --> 22:50.223 Wing, order arms! 22:51.790 --> 22:52.623 At ease. 22:55.780 --> 22:57.600 Ladies and gentlemen, 22:57.600 --> 23:00.560 Chaplain Colonel Paul D. Sutter, 23:00.560 --> 23:03.303 United States Air Force Academy Command Chaplain. 23:07.990 --> 23:09.460 - Please join me in prayer 23:09.460 --> 23:12.033 according to your practice or tradition. 23:13.280 --> 23:17.110 Gracious God, what a fantastic day to fly 23:17.110 --> 23:20.733 and an even more glorious day to graduate. 23:21.740 --> 23:26.510 You, oh Lord, have created the land, sea, sky, and beyond, 23:26.510 --> 23:29.060 formed all people in your image. 23:29.060 --> 23:30.750 We thank you for the rich diversity 23:30.750 --> 23:33.130 of the 61st graduating class 23:33.130 --> 23:36.120 of the United States Air Force Academy. 23:36.120 --> 23:38.460 Our cadets represent all the states 23:38.460 --> 23:40.750 and territories of America, 23:40.750 --> 23:44.460 as well as our allied nations from around the world. 23:44.460 --> 23:48.000 May their example of solidarity and perseverance 23:48.000 --> 23:50.860 through the challenges of their academy experience 23:50.860 --> 23:53.380 remind us all of the rich rewards 23:53.380 --> 23:56.550 gained from loving our neighbors near and far 23:56.550 --> 24:01.470 and encourage us to afford dignity and respect to all. 24:01.470 --> 24:05.030 We are proud of our rich military heritage 24:05.030 --> 24:08.170 and the heroes and heroines who have led the way. 24:08.170 --> 24:11.580 The Neil Armstrong Class of 2019 24:11.580 --> 24:13.920 has lived up to their exemplar, 24:13.920 --> 24:17.580 as well as the gold standard of their class color 24:17.580 --> 24:19.427 and the challenge of their motto, 24:19.427 --> 24:22.160 "Conquer mind, conquer all." 24:22.160 --> 24:22.993 We give thanks 24:22.993 --> 24:25.430 for all who have supported their accomplishments, 24:25.430 --> 24:29.420 family, (audio skipping) benefactors, academy staff, 24:29.420 --> 24:33.530 faculty, professors, supervisors, and peers. 24:33.530 --> 24:37.970 Bless and give them your love, mercy, and wisdom always. 24:37.970 --> 24:39.440 We are especially grateful 24:39.440 --> 24:43.510 to the members of the legacy class of 1969 24:43.510 --> 24:48.510 and the many sponsors who inspired our cadets along the way. 24:48.590 --> 24:51.790 This day culminates a well-deserved return 24:51.790 --> 24:54.810 on extraordinary efforts expended. 24:54.810 --> 24:57.280 Individual goals have been exceeded 24:57.280 --> 25:01.600 and the future of the Long Blue Line blazes bright 25:01.600 --> 25:06.160 because these graduates have done and given their best. 25:06.160 --> 25:07.760 Bless the leaders of our land 25:07.760 --> 25:10.880 that we may be people at peace among ourselves 25:10.880 --> 25:14.240 and a blessing to other nations of the Earth. 25:14.240 --> 25:16.840 Bless especially our keynote speaker 25:16.840 --> 25:19.900 and the president of these, our United States, 25:19.900 --> 25:23.440 President Donald Trump, that his words would motivate us 25:23.440 --> 25:25.760 to renewed commitment to our country, 25:25.760 --> 25:28.890 as well as our neighbors around the globe. 25:28.890 --> 25:31.680 As our graduates pin on the rank of second lieutenant 25:31.680 --> 25:34.610 and go off into the wild blue yonder, 25:34.610 --> 25:37.820 we are mindful that hardship and sacrifice 25:37.820 --> 25:40.470 will remain their constant shadow. 25:40.470 --> 25:42.710 In the words of the cadet prayer, 25:42.710 --> 25:46.180 make them effective instruments of your peace 25:46.180 --> 25:50.830 in the defense of the skies that canopy free nations. 25:50.830 --> 25:55.350 And finally, oh Lord, embolden our graduates in us always 25:55.350 --> 25:58.890 in the pursuit of freedom and justice, 25:58.890 --> 26:01.463 from which there can be no graduation. 26:02.640 --> 26:06.853 These and all things we ask in your holy name, amen. 26:11.972 --> 26:15.139 (audience applauding) 26:19.470 --> 26:21.143 - Graduates, take seats. 26:22.410 --> 26:24.843 Ladies and gentlemen, please be seated. 26:26.394 --> 26:28.263 (audio skipping) take seats. 26:33.540 --> 26:37.450 Ladies and gentlemen, Lieutenant General Jay Silveria, 26:37.450 --> 26:40.393 the superintendent of the United States Air Force Academy. 26:41.574 --> 26:44.741 (audience applauding) 26:49.760 --> 26:51.330 - Wow, did Colorado come through 26:51.330 --> 26:53.481 with a wonderful day or what? 26:53.481 --> 26:56.481 (audience cheering) 26:58.120 --> 27:00.840 Good morning and what a great day for the Air Force Academy, 27:00.840 --> 27:02.530 a great day for the Air Force, 27:02.530 --> 27:04.980 and a great day for our nation. 27:04.980 --> 27:08.440 Welcome, ladies and gentlemen and distinguished guests. 27:08.440 --> 27:10.800 But for the family and friends 27:10.800 --> 27:13.650 and the graduates seated in front of me, 27:13.650 --> 27:16.680 it is especially great to say 27:16.680 --> 27:21.073 welcome to the graduation for the Class of 2019. 27:21.073 --> 27:22.323 - [All] Strong! 27:24.196 --> 27:27.940 (audience applauding) 27:27.940 --> 27:29.860 - To explain for our guests today, 27:29.860 --> 27:33.800 each graduating class at our academy selects an exemplar 27:33.800 --> 27:36.670 in order to honor and identify with a hero 27:36.670 --> 27:41.120 whose qualities they hope to emulate in their own careers. 27:41.120 --> 27:44.950 This year's graduating class chose Neil Armstrong, 27:44.950 --> 27:49.090 an American icon who perhaps needs no introduction, 27:49.090 --> 27:50.750 but whose incredible accomplishments 27:50.750 --> 27:53.823 were matched only by his admirable humility. 27:54.660 --> 27:57.490 Aside from being the first person to step on the moon, 27:57.490 --> 28:00.700 Neil Armstrong was a Naval aviator, a Korean War veteran, 28:00.700 --> 28:03.730 a test pilot, and an aerospace engineer. 28:03.730 --> 28:06.440 His achievements are an example to our cadets 28:06.440 --> 28:09.800 of the limitless potential of human innovation 28:09.800 --> 28:12.220 and the strength of the American spirit, 28:12.220 --> 28:13.450 and we are proud to honor 28:13.450 --> 28:16.350 his legacy of courage and excellence. 28:16.350 --> 28:21.218 So today, whenever you hear, "Class of 2019,"-- 28:21.218 --> 28:22.468 - [All] Strong! 28:23.360 --> 28:26.097 - The members will respond with just what you heard, 28:26.097 --> 28:27.410 "Strong." 28:27.410 --> 28:28.810 Today, we're honored to be joined 28:28.810 --> 28:31.110 by a remarkable list of distinguished guests 28:31.110 --> 28:34.610 seated behind me and throughout Falcon Stadium. 28:34.610 --> 28:37.870 That the 45th president of the United States, 28:37.870 --> 28:40.847 President Donald J. Trump, is joining us today-- 28:40.847 --> 28:43.847 (audience cheering) 28:49.950 --> 28:52.450 That he is here today as our commencement speaker 28:52.450 --> 28:55.820 is an incredible honor for our academy and our graduates, 28:55.820 --> 28:59.210 and reflects the vision of our founders 28:59.210 --> 29:01.120 that they had more than six decades 29:01.120 --> 29:04.980 and more than 50,000 graduates ago that this institution 29:04.980 --> 29:07.950 would be an asset of national importance, 29:07.950 --> 29:10.820 an indispensable value to the strength of our military. 29:10.820 --> 29:13.890 Mr. President, thank you for joining us today 29:13.890 --> 29:16.677 and welcome to the United States Air Force Academy. 29:16.677 --> 29:19.677 (audience cheering) 29:22.660 --> 29:24.170 Today, we are also honored 29:25.430 --> 29:28.260 by the presence of our 24th secretary of the Air Force, 29:28.260 --> 29:32.595 the honorable Dr. Heather Wilson, USAFA Class of 1982. 29:32.595 --> 29:35.595 (audience cheering) 29:38.140 --> 29:40.410 Our 21st chief of staff of the Air Force, 29:40.410 --> 29:43.500 General David L. Goldfein, USAFA Class of 1983. 29:44.771 --> 29:47.771 (audience cheering) 29:49.412 --> 29:51.840 And our 18th chief master sergeant of the Air Force, 29:51.840 --> 29:54.901 Chief Master Sergeant Kaleth O. Wright. 29:54.901 --> 29:57.901 (audience cheering) 29:58.950 --> 30:02.770 Seated behind me today are members of Cadet Squadron Seven, 30:02.770 --> 30:05.550 this year's outstanding cadet squadron. 30:05.550 --> 30:07.320 The distinction of top squadron 30:07.320 --> 30:09.080 is awarded each year to the squadron 30:09.080 --> 30:11.890 that achieved excellence and superior performance 30:11.890 --> 30:15.180 in all areas of study, including academics, 30:15.180 --> 30:17.420 military training, and athletics. 30:17.420 --> 30:21.003 Congratulations and well done, Shadow Seven. 30:21.003 --> 30:24.003 (audience cheering) 30:26.770 --> 30:28.130 But also seated behind me 30:28.130 --> 30:30.800 is a representation of our academy's leadership, 30:30.800 --> 30:32.700 an outstanding team of individuals 30:32.700 --> 30:34.410 who have played vital roles 30:34.410 --> 30:37.460 in the leadership development of this class. 30:37.460 --> 30:39.700 Our vice superintendent, our director of staff, 30:39.700 --> 30:41.420 our command chief master sergeant, 30:41.420 --> 30:44.830 the headquarters staff, the dean of faculty, 30:44.830 --> 30:47.600 our vice commandant of cadets, the director of athletics, 30:47.600 --> 30:49.730 the 10th Air Base Wing commander, 30:49.730 --> 30:52.210 the USAFA Preparatory School commander, 30:52.210 --> 30:54.770 the 306th Flying Training Group commander, 30:54.770 --> 30:56.540 the director of our Center for Character 30:56.540 --> 30:58.120 and Leadership Development. 30:58.120 --> 31:00.780 We also have our four academic division chairs, 31:00.780 --> 31:02.550 our four cadet wing AOCs. 31:02.550 --> 31:05.000 We could not do what we do without you. 31:05.000 --> 31:06.837 Thank you very much. 31:06.837 --> 31:10.004 (audience applauding) 31:12.582 --> 31:14.150 And seated on the platform with us 31:14.150 --> 31:16.050 representing the indispensable roles 31:16.050 --> 31:18.130 that our family members play 31:18.130 --> 31:21.160 in the lives of our cadets and airmen is my wife Virginia 31:21.160 --> 31:24.160 and our academy senior leaders, their spouses. 31:24.160 --> 31:25.890 We will never be able to thank you enough 31:25.890 --> 31:27.600 for your steadfast support 31:27.600 --> 31:31.453 and for the unique sacrifices you make as military families. 31:32.384 --> 31:35.551 (audience applauding) 31:38.280 --> 31:42.380 I'd also like to recognize an incredible faculty and staff 31:42.380 --> 31:44.210 who arrived in our processional 31:44.210 --> 31:47.270 that are seated on the south side of the stadium. 31:47.270 --> 31:49.650 These dedicated and tireless professionals 31:49.650 --> 31:52.110 make days like today possible 31:52.110 --> 31:55.900 with their passion for education and discovery, 31:55.900 --> 31:57.420 and with their skill in developing 31:57.420 --> 32:00.300 some of our nation's most promising young people 32:00.300 --> 32:04.550 into the next generation of innovative-minded leaders. 32:04.550 --> 32:05.870 We are truly privileged 32:05.870 --> 32:09.100 to have such a talented faculty and staff, 32:09.100 --> 32:11.220 ensuring that officers we are educating, 32:11.220 --> 32:14.130 training, and inspiring here now 32:14.130 --> 32:17.310 will go out into our Air Force and make it their own, 32:17.310 --> 32:20.810 shape it into a more capable and powerful force. 32:20.810 --> 32:23.310 Thank you all for what you do to make this happen. 32:24.222 --> 32:27.389 (audience applauding) 32:30.812 --> 32:32.320 The United States Air Force Academy 32:32.320 --> 32:33.720 could not accomplish its mission 32:33.720 --> 32:37.290 without the unwavering dedication of many partners, 32:37.290 --> 32:39.750 and the support of the wonderful Colorado Springs 32:39.750 --> 32:43.140 and Front Range region is vital to that support. 32:43.140 --> 32:44.890 Seated on the north side of the stadium 32:44.890 --> 32:47.580 are some of our most outstanding supporters, 32:47.580 --> 32:50.410 representatives from our supporting organizations, 32:50.410 --> 32:52.660 such as the Association of Graduates, 32:52.660 --> 32:56.400 the USAFA Endowment, the Falcon Foundation, 32:56.400 --> 32:58.200 the Air Force Academy Foundation, 32:58.200 --> 33:00.600 Friends of the Air Force Academy Library, 33:00.600 --> 33:03.530 the Air Force Academy Athletic Corporation, 33:03.530 --> 33:07.280 and the Academy Research and Development Institute. 33:07.280 --> 33:10.000 Let me also add a special welcome 33:10.000 --> 33:11.620 to one of our greatest supporters. 33:11.620 --> 33:14.627 Mayor Suthers, thank you for being here. 33:14.627 --> 33:17.794 (audience applauding) 33:20.740 --> 33:24.420 Also joining us are commanders from around our joint force, 33:24.420 --> 33:26.897 including Generals Hyten, General (audio skipping), 33:28.430 --> 33:30.980 along with our many other distinguished guests, 33:30.980 --> 33:33.120 academy alumni, community leaders, 33:33.120 --> 33:34.610 and friends of the academy. 33:34.610 --> 33:36.860 Thank you all for your contributions 33:36.860 --> 33:38.380 that help make today possible. 33:38.380 --> 33:39.788 Thank you. 33:39.788 --> 33:42.955 (audience applauding) 33:44.320 --> 33:45.300 And to everyone here 33:45.300 --> 33:47.650 supporting these young leaders this morning, 33:47.650 --> 33:51.020 know that we are a much stronger force 33:51.020 --> 33:55.320 because of your indispensable role in our Air Force family. 33:55.320 --> 33:56.890 Everyone in attendance today 33:56.890 --> 34:00.600 represents the years of development, encouragement, 34:00.600 --> 34:04.000 coaching, teaching, correcting, supporting, 34:04.000 --> 34:08.290 and loving this class to get them here today. 34:08.290 --> 34:09.880 Thank you for coming. 34:09.880 --> 34:11.310 We're honored that you've joined us 34:11.310 --> 34:14.820 to recognize the culmination of one formative journey 34:14.820 --> 34:16.543 and the beginning of another. 34:17.580 --> 34:20.820 Today, 991 exceptional young leaders 34:20.820 --> 34:23.270 of the 61st graduating class 34:23.270 --> 34:24.970 of the United States Air Force Academy 34:24.970 --> 34:26.830 start their careers as officers, 34:26.830 --> 34:28.810 and I am confident that tomorrow, 34:28.810 --> 34:32.973 our Air Force will be a stronger force because of them. 34:34.389 --> 34:37.389 (audience cheering) 34:40.650 --> 34:42.790 They are joining the Long Blue Line 34:42.790 --> 34:45.360 and they are joining a heritage of military service, 34:45.360 --> 34:50.360 and none other represents that more than Cadet Joseph Kloc, 34:50.790 --> 34:53.250 soon to be Second Lieutenant Joseph Kloc. 34:53.250 --> 34:55.820 He was commissioned yesterday 34:55.820 --> 34:59.230 by Major Walter Kloc, his grandfather, 34:59.230 --> 35:02.450 who's 101 years old, a World War II veteran, 35:02.450 --> 35:05.605 and he is seated in Section L8 here this morning. 35:05.605 --> 35:08.605 (audience cheering) 35:15.860 --> 35:18.453 Major Kloc, we are honored by your presence. 35:27.240 --> 35:29.660 Ladies and gentlemen, it is now my distinct pleasure 35:29.660 --> 35:33.560 to introduce the 21st chief of staff of the Air Force. 35:33.560 --> 35:37.420 General David L. Goldfein is a 1983 USAFA graduate, 35:37.420 --> 35:39.280 the sixth USAFA graduate to serve 35:39.280 --> 35:41.520 as chief of staff of the Air Force. 35:41.520 --> 35:43.280 An incredible distinguished career 35:43.280 --> 35:46.740 has demonstrated the qualities of leadership we'd be proud 35:46.740 --> 35:49.980 for all of our newest graduates here to emulate. 35:49.980 --> 35:51.710 General Goldfein is a command pilot 35:51.710 --> 35:54.630 with more than 4,200 hours in aircraft, 35:54.630 --> 35:57.950 including the F-16 and the F-117, 35:57.950 --> 36:00.710 and he has led airmen and joint warriors 36:00.710 --> 36:03.920 in crucial missions all over the world. 36:03.920 --> 36:06.130 Sir, thank you for the example you've set 36:06.130 --> 36:08.550 in your career of selfless service 36:08.550 --> 36:10.570 and for inspiring these graduates 36:10.570 --> 36:13.830 to see what is possible in this proud profession, 36:13.830 --> 36:16.960 and for your enduring dedication to the alma mater. 36:16.960 --> 36:20.490 Our entire academy is proud to welcome you back, as always. 36:20.490 --> 36:21.490 Ladies and gentlemen, 36:21.490 --> 36:24.110 please welcome not just the chief of staff 36:24.110 --> 36:26.560 but one of the best friends of the Air Force Academy, 36:26.560 --> 36:30.109 chief of staff of the Air Force, General David L. Goldfein. 36:30.109 --> 36:33.109 (audience cheering) 36:37.234 --> 36:39.408 (tapping) 36:39.408 --> 36:42.280 (audience cheering) 36:42.280 --> 36:44.180 - Been waiting a long time to do that. 36:45.910 --> 36:48.283 Well, (pausing) you made it. 36:50.130 --> 36:53.562 I'm speaking, of course, to your parents. 36:53.562 --> 36:55.740 (audience laughing) 36:55.740 --> 36:58.273 Well done, moms and dads. 36:58.273 --> 37:01.273 (audience cheering) 37:06.330 --> 37:08.829 So, Class of 2019-- 37:08.829 --> 37:10.580 - [All] Strong! 37:10.580 --> 37:12.530 - Let me take you back four years ago 37:12.530 --> 37:17.530 to the 26th of June, 2015, the day after you arrived here 37:18.300 --> 37:22.483 in your first formation in front of the class wall. 37:23.460 --> 37:26.523 For the very first time as a class, 37:26.523 --> 37:30.500 (audio skipping) stood side by side and shoulder to shoulder 37:30.500 --> 37:34.433 in your crisp new uniforms and took a solemn oath, 37:36.110 --> 37:38.470 the same oath you took yesterday 37:38.470 --> 37:40.293 in your commissioning ceremonies, 37:41.220 --> 37:44.810 to support and defend the Constitution of the United States 37:44.810 --> 37:47.913 against all enemies, foreign and domestic. 37:49.010 --> 37:51.640 Standing together as wingmen, 37:51.640 --> 37:56.053 you committed to bear true faith and allegiance to the same. 37:58.150 --> 38:00.120 And today, you stand here together 38:01.870 --> 38:06.113 for the last time as a formation, four years later. 38:07.560 --> 38:10.840 Or maybe five or six for a few of you. 38:10.840 --> 38:13.423 Trust me, I can relate. 38:15.680 --> 38:18.097 And you join the over 50,000 graduates 38:18.097 --> 38:21.853 who have gone before you, the Long Blue Line. 38:23.520 --> 38:24.890 Today, you enter an Air Force 38:24.890 --> 38:27.770 engaged in active combat operations 38:27.770 --> 38:30.713 in faraway places like Afghanistan and Syria, 38:31.940 --> 38:35.660 as we deliver global vigilance and global reach 38:35.660 --> 38:37.463 and global power for America. 38:38.840 --> 38:41.963 And like your legacy class of 1969, 38:43.210 --> 38:45.563 several of whom are here today, 38:46.620 --> 38:49.720 many of you will face the ultimate test in combat 38:51.340 --> 38:52.760 as together we defend 38:52.760 --> 38:56.193 this great experiment called democracy. 38:58.600 --> 39:01.270 And as officers, you will be entrusted 39:01.270 --> 39:04.743 with the greatest treasure in our nation's arsenal: 39:06.740 --> 39:10.940 young airmen who volunteer to serve a nation at war 39:11.860 --> 39:13.960 and who deserve to be led 39:13.960 --> 39:17.443 and inspired by leaders of character, 39:19.600 --> 39:20.673 sacred duty, 39:22.260 --> 39:23.800 and what you've been preparing for 39:23.800 --> 39:26.780 since the day you first raised your right hand 39:26.780 --> 39:28.803 in front of the class wall. 39:29.880 --> 39:31.330 As your chief, I could not be prouder 39:31.330 --> 39:34.233 to welcome each of you into our ranks. 39:35.270 --> 39:37.130 Ladies and gentlemen, the Long Blue Line 39:37.130 --> 39:42.130 is strengthened today by the Class of 2019. 39:42.703 --> 39:43.953 - [All] Strong! 39:45.117 --> 39:48.117 (audience cheering) 39:54.100 --> 39:56.120 - Over 40 years ago, 39:56.120 --> 39:59.950 Dr. Heather Wilson and I took our oath together, 39:59.950 --> 40:04.343 standing in the field house as members of the Class of 1982, 40:05.770 --> 40:10.120 like you, as classmates standing side by side 40:11.040 --> 40:12.290 and shoulder to shoulder. 40:13.614 --> 40:16.890 After graduation, our careers took different paths, 40:16.890 --> 40:18.423 mine mostly operational. 40:19.530 --> 40:22.670 Dr. Wilson took a completely different path, 40:22.670 --> 40:25.413 graduating with honors as a Rhodes Scholar, 40:25.413 --> 40:29.040 (audio skipping) her Ph.D. in international relations 40:29.040 --> 40:30.383 at Oxford University. 40:32.460 --> 40:34.930 She served on the National Security Council 40:34.930 --> 40:37.700 for President George H.W. Bush 40:37.700 --> 40:40.000 during the fall of the Berlin Wall, 40:40.000 --> 40:41.790 collapse of the Warsaw Pact, 40:41.790 --> 40:45.140 and the start of Operation Desert Storm. 40:45.140 --> 40:48.310 She went on to become a congresswoman from New Mexico 40:48.310 --> 40:50.110 for 10-and-a-half years 40:50.110 --> 40:52.760 and a powerful advocate for us on the hill. 40:52.760 --> 40:56.173 She's a private pilot and an aircraft owner. 40:57.170 --> 40:59.410 And before becoming our secretary, 40:59.410 --> 41:03.253 she served as president of the South Dakota School of Mines. 41:05.240 --> 41:09.250 Neither of us could ever have imaged 40 years ago 41:09.250 --> 41:13.000 when we took our oaths as new cadets 41:13.000 --> 41:16.920 that we would rejoin all these years later 41:18.030 --> 41:20.810 to lead the institution we love, 41:20.810 --> 41:23.893 side by side and shoulder to shoulder. 41:25.020 --> 41:25.943 Mr. President, 41:26.820 --> 41:29.893 on behalf of all airman past, present, and future, 41:31.010 --> 41:33.620 thank you for nominating Dr. Heather Wilson 41:33.620 --> 41:37.000 to become the 24th secretary of the Air Force 41:37.000 --> 41:40.400 and recommending another incredible and gifted leader, 41:40.400 --> 41:44.893 Ambassador Barbara Barrett, to become our 25th secretary. 41:46.260 --> 41:48.840 Next to our commander-in-chief, 41:48.840 --> 41:52.340 today's airmen and their families have no better friend 41:53.700 --> 41:56.540 and the nation has no stronger advocate 41:56.540 --> 42:00.023 for air and space power than Dr. Heather Wilson. 42:01.190 --> 42:04.390 And how appropriate that her last official act 42:04.390 --> 42:08.023 as our secretary is here, where it all started, 42:08.890 --> 42:12.633 over four decades ago at our beloved academy. 42:15.240 --> 42:19.784 And yet again, she is graduating one year ahead of me. 42:19.784 --> 42:23.040 (audience laughing) 42:23.040 --> 42:26.070 Graduates, parents, families and friends, 42:26.070 --> 42:28.610 distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, 42:28.610 --> 42:33.540 it is my distinct honor and privilege to introduce to you 42:33.540 --> 42:38.141 the 24th secretary of the Air Force, Dr. Heather Wilson. 42:38.141 --> 42:41.308 (audience applauding) 42:48.988 --> 42:50.950 - Thank you, chief, 42:50.950 --> 42:54.150 and thank you for everything you have done 42:54.150 --> 42:56.030 for our Air Force. 42:56.030 --> 42:59.033 I could not have asked for a better wingman. 43:00.730 --> 43:02.543 For the parents in the stands, 43:04.010 --> 43:07.810 these graduates are some of the best young men 43:07.810 --> 43:12.810 and women in America because you raised them to be that way. 43:16.360 --> 43:21.023 Thank you for entrusting them to our care. 43:22.630 --> 43:23.830 Know that we will give them 43:23.830 --> 43:27.270 the training and the equipment they need 43:27.270 --> 43:31.183 to be able to fight and win and come home again. 43:32.390 --> 43:35.557 (audience applauding) 43:40.770 --> 43:44.033 To our graduates in the Class of 2019-- 43:44.033 --> 43:45.283 - [All] Strong! 43:46.560 --> 43:50.260 - There is a nation outside of this stadium 43:51.230 --> 43:52.423 depending on you. 43:54.810 --> 43:58.400 Samuel Adams wrote in 1748 43:58.400 --> 44:01.410 that neither the wisest constitution 44:01.410 --> 44:05.583 nor the wisest laws will secure our liberty. 44:06.760 --> 44:10.803 They must be defended by those who value freedom. 44:12.780 --> 44:17.780 You have decided to prepare yourselves 44:19.490 --> 44:22.743 to take a solemn obligation today. 44:23.980 --> 44:27.563 Thank you for choosing to be airmen. 44:30.377 --> 44:33.544 (audience applauding) 44:38.088 --> 44:42.350 41 years ago, Dave Goldfein and I got full-ride scholarships 44:42.350 --> 44:47.350 and one-way tickets from sea level to 7,258 feet, 44:49.130 --> 44:52.855 far, far above Annapolis and West Point. 44:52.855 --> 44:55.855 (audience cheering) 45:00.830 --> 45:03.810 We each got off the bus with a single suitcase 45:03.810 --> 45:07.167 at the base of what was then the Bring Me Men ramp-- 45:08.207 --> 45:11.420 (audience laughing) 45:11.420 --> 45:15.530 And began journeys that have brought us back to this place 45:15.530 --> 45:17.043 by different roots. 45:17.890 --> 45:21.210 General Goldfein grew up as a joint war fighter, 45:21.210 --> 45:24.810 as a leader, and I geared into public policy 45:24.810 --> 45:27.383 and Congress and a higher education. 45:28.650 --> 45:33.237 In his poem Little Gidding, T.S. Eliot wrote, 45:33.237 --> 45:37.277 "We shall not cease from exploration. 45:37.277 --> 45:41.047 "And the end of all our exploring 45:41.047 --> 45:43.270 "will be to arrive where we started 45:44.287 --> 45:47.477 "and know the place for the first time." 45:49.350 --> 45:50.680 It has been my honor 45:51.800 --> 45:54.710 to have been the first graduate of this institution 45:55.670 --> 46:00.670 to have become the secretary of the United States Air Force. 46:01.062 --> 46:04.062 (audience cheering) 46:09.130 --> 46:11.653 Mr. President, thank you for that honor. 46:12.600 --> 46:16.850 This graduation will be my last official event 46:16.850 --> 46:18.680 as your secretary, 46:18.680 --> 46:22.483 and it has been my honor to serve with all of you. 46:23.550 --> 46:26.010 It is also now my pleasure 46:26.010 --> 46:30.819 to introduce the 45th president of the United States. 46:30.819 --> 46:33.819 (audience cheering) 46:39.250 --> 46:42.090 From the day he stepped into office, 46:42.090 --> 46:43.930 the president began reversing 46:43.930 --> 46:47.897 more than a decade of military decline. 46:47.897 --> 46:50.897 (audience cheering) 46:53.910 --> 46:55.600 Over the past three years, 46:55.600 --> 46:58.650 his budget has proposed significant increases 46:58.650 --> 47:00.980 for our air and space forces, 47:00.980 --> 47:04.160 which we have used to restore the readiness of the force 47:04.160 --> 47:09.160 to win any fight, any time, to recruit and train new people, 47:10.380 --> 47:12.730 and to buy modern equipment 47:12.730 --> 47:15.523 for the airman who will be commissioned here today. 47:16.412 --> 47:19.412 (audience cheering) 47:23.470 --> 47:28.470 His number-one priority has been the safety and security 47:28.530 --> 47:32.393 of the American people and the country that we love. 47:35.045 --> 47:37.590 We are privileged to have him here today. 47:37.590 --> 47:40.370 Ladies and gentlemen, the commander-in-chief 47:40.370 --> 47:44.125 and the president of the United States, Donald Trump. 47:44.125 --> 47:47.125 (audience cheering) 48:20.710 --> 48:21.916 - They're pretty happy, sir. 48:21.916 --> 48:22.943 You're pretty popular. (laughing) 48:22.943 --> 48:25.017 - Very nice; isn't that nice? 48:25.017 --> 48:28.850 (sustained audience cheering) 48:35.080 --> 48:36.240 - Thank you very much. 48:36.240 --> 48:37.073 Please. 48:38.160 --> 48:39.620 You just like all those 48:39.620 --> 48:42.354 brand new beautiful airplanes that we're buying. 48:42.354 --> 48:45.354 (audience laughing) 48:46.610 --> 48:48.120 Hello, Air Force Academy. 48:48.120 --> 48:51.240 It's been a long time since I've been here. 48:51.240 --> 48:53.120 And what a place, what a place it is. 48:53.120 --> 48:54.103 At ease, everybody. 48:55.099 --> 48:56.560 (audience laughing) 48:56.560 --> 48:58.480 I'm thrilled to be here with all of you 48:58.480 --> 49:03.052 as we celebrate the incredible Class of 2019. 49:03.052 --> 49:04.866 - [All] Strong! 49:04.866 --> 49:07.710 - (laughing) And you truly make America proud. 49:07.710 --> 49:08.730 You make us all proud. 49:08.730 --> 49:09.563 Thank you very much. 49:09.563 --> 49:10.500 Great job. 49:10.500 --> 49:12.225 Really great job. 49:12.225 --> 49:15.392 (audience applauding) 49:17.090 --> 49:20.340 And I wanna thank Secretary Wilson for the introduction 49:20.340 --> 49:22.610 and for her two years of service 49:22.610 --> 49:25.190 as the first graduate of the academy 49:25.190 --> 49:28.840 to be the very important (audio skipping) 49:28.840 --> 49:32.050 at a time when we've really expanded out the Air Force 49:32.050 --> 49:35.160 and bought equipment like you've never seen before. 49:35.160 --> 49:36.400 So, congratulations. 49:36.400 --> 49:37.740 Thank you very much, Heather. 49:37.740 --> 49:38.822 Beautiful job. 49:38.822 --> 49:41.737 (audience applauding) 49:41.737 --> 49:42.570 And I wanna thank 49:42.570 --> 49:45.820 three other truly remarkable former cadets: 49:45.820 --> 49:50.470 your superintendent, Lieutenant General Jay Silveria. 49:50.470 --> 49:51.656 Jay, come here. 49:51.656 --> 49:55.550 (audience applauding) 49:55.550 --> 49:57.500 Class of 1985. 49:57.500 --> 50:00.321 Jay, I thought you were a little bit younger than that. 50:00.321 --> 50:02.891 (audience laughing) 50:02.891 --> 50:04.470 (laughing) 50:04.470 --> 50:09.470 General David Goldfein, Class of 1983. 50:09.560 --> 50:10.770 Thank you, General. (audience applauding) 50:10.770 --> 50:12.350 Great job. 50:12.350 --> 50:14.743 Does a great job; respected by everybody. 50:15.700 --> 50:18.980 And NORTHCOM Commander General Terrence O'Shaughnessy, 50:18.980 --> 50:21.270 Class of 1986. 50:21.270 --> 50:22.997 Thank you very much. 50:22.997 --> 50:23.830 Thank you. 50:23.830 --> 50:26.200 (audience applauding) 50:26.200 --> 50:27.150 Thank you, General. 50:28.230 --> 50:30.010 We're also grateful to be joined 50:30.010 --> 50:34.490 by Commander of U.S. Strategic Command, General John Hyten. 50:34.490 --> 50:36.709 General, thank you very much. 50:36.709 --> 50:37.720 (audience applauding) 50:37.720 --> 50:40.693 Spent a lot of time together talking about things. 50:40.693 --> 50:43.270 (audience laughing) 50:43.270 --> 50:46.600 And Commander of Air Force Space Command, 50:46.600 --> 50:48.780 General Jay Raymond. 50:48.780 --> 50:50.181 Thank you, General. 50:50.181 --> 50:52.031 (audience applauding) Space Command. 50:54.630 --> 50:58.200 And to all of the distinguished faculty, coaches, and staff, 50:58.200 --> 51:01.540 thank you for forging and refining 51:01.540 --> 51:06.120 a new generation of American warriors. 51:06.120 --> 51:10.590 We're also joined by many distinguished Air Force veterans 51:10.590 --> 51:12.330 and academy graduates. 51:12.330 --> 51:14.030 We applaud and salute you all. 51:14.030 --> 51:14.940 Thank you very much. 51:14.940 --> 51:16.574 Thank you for being here. 51:16.574 --> 51:19.741 (audience applauding) 51:22.050 --> 51:24.880 And to the thousands of moms and dads 51:24.880 --> 51:28.080 and grandparents and family members beaming with joy, 51:28.080 --> 51:32.100 and that's what they're doing, they are beaming with joy, 51:32.100 --> 51:37.100 thank you for raising rock-ribbed American patriots. 51:37.102 --> 51:40.102 (audience cheering) 51:46.290 --> 51:48.470 America is stronger thanks to your love 51:48.470 --> 51:52.040 and your support for these incredible people, 51:52.040 --> 51:54.540 these incredible graduates. 51:54.540 --> 51:56.950 Cadets, join me in paying tribute 51:56.950 --> 52:00.040 to your amazing Air Force families. 52:00.040 --> 52:01.503 Go ahead, pay tribute. 52:02.546 --> 52:05.713 (audience applauding) 52:23.396 --> 52:25.520 (applauding) 52:25.520 --> 52:26.410 That's beautiful. 52:26.410 --> 52:27.483 That's beautiful. 52:28.410 --> 52:30.550 Without them, you wouldn't be here, 52:30.550 --> 52:32.349 and that's the way it is. 52:32.349 --> 52:34.403 (audience laughing) That's the way it is. 52:35.320 --> 52:38.823 Most of all, to the nearly 1,000 cadets, 52:39.980 --> 52:43.219 who I have agreed to shake every single hand-- 52:43.219 --> 52:46.219 (audience cheering) 52:47.760 --> 52:50.120 They gave me a choice. 52:50.120 --> 52:52.640 They said, "Sir, you don't have to shake any hands." 52:52.640 --> 52:54.460 Some people do that. 52:54.460 --> 52:56.536 Those are the smart ones; they're outta here. 52:56.536 --> 52:57.369 (audience laughing) 52:57.369 --> 53:01.270 You can shake one hand to the one person, top of the class. 53:01.270 --> 53:04.530 You could shake 10, 50, or 100, 53:04.530 --> 53:06.603 and you could also stay for 1,000. 53:07.480 --> 53:09.590 And I'm staying for 1,000, okay? 53:09.590 --> 53:12.590 (audience cheering) 53:18.340 --> 53:20.134 And I know we're all gonna make it. 53:20.134 --> 53:20.967 (audience laughing) 53:20.967 --> 53:22.650 There's no doubt about it, right? 53:22.650 --> 53:23.930 There's no doubt about it. 53:23.930 --> 53:26.710 To the nearly 1,000 cadets who will soon become 53:26.710 --> 53:30.360 second lieutenants in the U.S. Air Force: 53:30.360 --> 53:34.130 You could have chosen any school, any career you wanted, 53:34.130 --> 53:38.290 but you chose a harder path and a higher calling, 53:38.290 --> 53:42.710 to protect and defend the United States of America. 53:42.710 --> 53:45.550 I know what you've been through, and it's tougher. 53:45.550 --> 53:46.383 But you know what? 53:46.383 --> 53:47.670 In the end, it's better. 53:47.670 --> 53:49.828 You're gonna see; you'll see. 53:49.828 --> 53:51.790 (audience laughing) You'll see. 53:51.790 --> 53:54.600 Today, you take your place as officers 53:54.600 --> 53:58.340 in the most powerful Air Force in the history of our country 53:58.340 --> 54:02.610 and, frankly and very easily, in the history of the world. 54:02.610 --> 54:05.610 (audience cheering) 54:06.620 --> 54:09.850 America commends the integrity, devotion, 54:09.850 --> 54:13.288 and commitment of the Class of 2019. 54:13.288 --> 54:15.200 - [All] Strong! 54:15.200 --> 54:16.810 - When you choose the Air Force, 54:16.810 --> 54:21.810 you choose the noble road of service and duty and devotion. 54:22.580 --> 54:26.390 You choose to break old boundaries and unlock new frontiers 54:26.390 --> 54:29.400 and live life on the cutting edge. 54:29.400 --> 54:34.400 The first air combat happened just one century ago. 54:34.630 --> 54:36.210 You are the ones who will invent 54:36.210 --> 54:39.880 and define the next generation of air warfare. 54:39.880 --> 54:42.060 And you are the ones who will secure 54:42.060 --> 54:45.590 American victory all the time, victory. 54:45.590 --> 54:50.313 To dominate the future, America must rule the skies. 54:51.361 --> 54:54.528 (audience applauding) 54:55.630 --> 54:59.760 And that is what your time at this great academy 54:59.760 --> 55:03.430 has been all about: preparing you to do whatever it takes 55:03.430 --> 55:07.673 to learn, to adapt, and to win, win, win. 55:07.673 --> 55:09.060 You're gonna win so much, 55:09.060 --> 55:12.504 you're going to get so tired of winning, but not really. 55:12.504 --> 55:16.587 (audience laughing and cheering) 55:17.480 --> 55:18.330 Not really. 55:18.330 --> 55:20.869 We never get tired of winning, do we? 55:20.869 --> 55:21.702 - [Crowd] No! 55:21.702 --> 55:23.020 - No. 55:23.020 --> 55:28.020 Over the past four years, that's just what you've done. 55:28.070 --> 55:28.903 You've worked. 55:28.903 --> 55:31.150 You've preserved, persevered. 55:31.150 --> 55:32.460 You've excelled. 55:32.460 --> 55:35.490 You've done so many things that nobody else can do. 55:35.490 --> 55:38.930 And in the end, you've come out on top. 55:38.930 --> 55:43.240 It took years of focus and discipline to get here, 55:43.240 --> 55:48.000 starting long before 'Beast,' right? 55:48.000 --> 55:49.370 Beast! 55:49.370 --> 55:51.120 You all know what the hell 'Beast' is, right? 55:51.120 --> 55:52.520 (audience laughing) 55:52.520 --> 55:54.550 Just being admitted to the academy 55:54.550 --> 55:56.950 is a monumental achievement. 55:56.950 --> 56:00.480 Only one out of every 10 applicants makes the cut. 56:00.480 --> 56:02.930 And don't forget: Out of those 10 applicants, 56:02.930 --> 56:05.000 there are hundreds that think about it, 56:05.000 --> 56:06.760 but they know they don't even have a chance, 56:06.760 --> 56:08.043 so remember that. 56:08.043 --> 56:10.420 (audience laughing and cheering) 56:10.420 --> 56:11.253 It's true, actually. 56:11.253 --> 56:14.064 It's actually, actually true. 56:14.064 --> 56:15.320 (audience laughing) 56:15.320 --> 56:16.680 For those who are accepted, 56:16.680 --> 56:21.100 another 20% don't make it to graduation, sadly. 56:21.100 --> 56:24.250 Only the best survive to the very end. 56:24.250 --> 56:27.000 And here, under the majestic peaks of the Rockies, 56:27.000 --> 56:29.630 you have risen to every challenge, 56:29.630 --> 56:34.630 overcome every single obstacle, and proven yourselves worthy 56:35.020 --> 56:39.173 of the bars that will soon adorn your uniform. 56:40.044 --> 56:43.440 (audience applauding) 56:43.440 --> 56:48.440 You survived BCT, made it to Recognition, 56:48.820 --> 56:51.943 and earned your Prop and Wings. 56:53.760 --> 56:57.720 You soared in gliders, piloted aircraft, 56:57.720 --> 56:59.010 and launched satellites 56:59.010 --> 57:04.010 that are now orbiting way, way above us, looking down on us. 57:04.120 --> 57:09.100 You performed advanced research, developed new techniques. 57:09.100 --> 57:12.590 You honed your skills as cyber operators 57:12.590 --> 57:17.190 and jumped out of planes thousands of feet above the Earth. 57:17.190 --> 57:19.610 Not easy. (audience cheering) 57:19.610 --> 57:24.610 For America's airmen, the sky is never, ever the limit. 57:25.360 --> 57:27.700 That being said, even the best cadets 57:27.700 --> 57:31.183 can sometimes get a little bit carried away. 57:32.200 --> 57:35.870 Lieutenant General Silveria has informed me 57:35.870 --> 57:39.420 that a few cadets are still on restriction 57:39.420 --> 57:44.420 for pranks and other fairly bad mischief. 57:45.387 --> 57:46.220 (audience laughing) 57:46.220 --> 57:48.250 You know what I'm talking about, right? 57:48.250 --> 57:50.185 And you all know who you are. 57:50.185 --> 57:51.670 (audience laughing) 57:51.670 --> 57:56.670 So, keeping with tradition, and as your commander-in-chief, 57:56.960 --> 58:00.960 I hereby absolve and pardon (audience cheering) 58:00.960 --> 58:05.447 all cadets serving restrictions and confinements. 58:07.460 --> 58:09.450 And that, you earned. 58:09.450 --> 58:10.363 You earned it. 58:12.030 --> 58:13.510 So, you're all on even footing. 58:13.510 --> 58:15.208 Is that nice? 58:15.208 --> 58:16.041 (audience cheering) 58:16.041 --> 58:18.040 This class has racked up a list 58:18.040 --> 58:21.250 of truly extraordinary achievements. 58:21.250 --> 58:24.040 Two graduating cadets recently received 58:24.040 --> 58:29.040 one of the most prestigious awards in all of academia: 58:29.240 --> 58:31.610 Rhodes scholarships. 58:31.610 --> 58:33.680 Please join me in congratulating 58:33.680 --> 58:38.110 Cadets James Brahm and Madison Tung. 58:38.110 --> 58:39.532 Please stand up. 58:39.532 --> 58:42.532 (audience cheering) 58:51.636 --> 58:52.469 Wow. 58:54.123 --> 58:54.956 Thank you very much. 58:54.956 --> 58:58.220 That's a big, a big, fat congratulations from me. 58:58.220 --> 59:01.070 That's a tremendous, tremendous job you've done. 59:01.070 --> 59:01.903 Thank you. 59:01.903 --> 59:02.736 Thank you, Madison. 59:02.736 --> 59:04.360 Great job. 59:04.360 --> 59:05.430 On the athletic fields, 59:05.430 --> 59:08.440 the Air Force has won 15 conference championships 59:08.440 --> 59:12.040 over the last four years, which is really something. 59:12.040 --> 59:14.560 A hundred and fifty-three athletes 59:14.560 --> 59:17.123 have earned All-American honors. 59:18.000 --> 59:19.093 Stand up. 59:19.960 --> 59:21.230 Stand up. (audience cheering) 59:21.230 --> 59:23.543 All-American, stand up, wow. 59:26.789 --> 59:27.622 Wow. 59:34.510 --> 59:35.543 It's fantastic. 59:36.910 --> 59:38.370 Congratulations. 59:38.370 --> 59:42.640 Including rifle team members Anna Weilbacher 59:42.640 --> 59:46.110 and Spencer Cap, who helped the Falcons win 59:46.110 --> 59:48.770 the air rifle national title 59:48.770 --> 59:51.260 and beat the other service academies 59:51.260 --> 59:54.190 to bring home the President's Trophy. 59:54.190 --> 59:56.408 Please, stand up. 59:56.408 --> 01:00:01.408 Stand up. (audience cheering) 01:00:03.140 --> 01:00:04.343 It's fantastic. 01:00:06.490 --> 01:00:08.980 But you didn't enjoy beating those other academies. 01:00:08.980 --> 01:00:09.930 I don't think so, right? 01:00:09.930 --> 01:00:11.093 Not too much. 01:00:12.220 --> 01:00:14.970 And graduating cadet Nick Ready 01:00:14.970 --> 01:00:18.470 became the first person from any service academy 01:00:18.470 --> 01:00:23.300 to win the College Home Run Derby, wow, that's a big deal, 01:00:23.300 --> 01:00:27.360 with a record-breaking 55 home runs. 01:00:27.360 --> 01:00:28.200 Nick! 01:00:28.200 --> 01:00:29.110 Where are you, Nick? 01:00:29.110 --> 01:00:30.269 Stand up. 01:00:30.269 --> 01:00:33.269 (audience cheering) 01:00:34.236 --> 01:00:35.876 Come here, Nick! 01:00:35.876 --> 01:00:36.709 Come here! 01:00:36.709 --> 01:00:38.048 Get up here, Nick! 01:00:38.048 --> 01:00:38.881 (audience laughing and cheering) 01:00:38.881 --> 01:00:39.714 Come here! 01:00:41.630 --> 01:00:42.483 Come here, Nick! 01:00:47.530 --> 01:00:49.930 You know, they gave him such a lousy seat 01:00:49.930 --> 01:00:51.706 all the way back in the corner. 01:00:51.706 --> 01:00:52.770 (audience laughing) Come on up. 01:00:52.770 --> 01:00:54.290 Baseball. 01:00:54.290 --> 01:00:55.503 Home Run Derby. 01:00:56.460 --> 01:00:58.120 That's something. 01:00:58.120 --> 01:01:00.790 In all of college baseball. 01:01:00.790 --> 01:01:01.760 Wow. 01:01:01.760 --> 01:01:03.672 I wanna feel this guy's muscles. 01:01:03.672 --> 01:01:06.672 (audience laughing) 01:01:08.572 --> 01:01:12.655 (audience laughing and cheering) 01:01:21.320 --> 01:01:22.153 It's real. 01:01:23.597 --> 01:01:24.680 That's real. 01:01:24.680 --> 01:01:26.060 That's great. 01:01:26.060 --> 01:01:27.892 Thank you very much, Nick. 01:01:27.892 --> 01:01:29.070 (audio skipping) deal. 01:01:29.070 --> 01:01:30.542 That's a big deal. 01:01:30.542 --> 01:01:33.542 (audience cheering) 01:01:35.830 --> 01:01:38.730 The members of this class come from every background, 01:01:38.730 --> 01:01:43.570 every state in the union, and even from our allies overseas. 01:01:43.570 --> 01:01:46.060 But through trial and training and tradition, 01:01:46.060 --> 01:01:47.510 you've become one family. 01:01:47.510 --> 01:01:49.190 It's what's happened. 01:01:49.190 --> 01:01:50.330 And like one family, 01:01:50.330 --> 01:01:53.620 you have all been pulling for one of your classmates 01:01:53.620 --> 01:01:57.540 who has bravely fought his battle with cancer. 01:01:57.540 --> 01:02:00.240 Today, Parker Hammond graduates 01:02:00.240 --> 01:02:04.059 as a munitions and missiles maintenance officer-- 01:02:04.059 --> 01:02:07.059 (audience cheering) 01:02:09.080 --> 01:02:11.300 - Along with the class that has stood with him 01:02:11.300 --> 01:02:12.933 every step of the way. 01:02:14.300 --> 01:02:15.840 Great going; come on, Parker! 01:02:15.840 --> 01:02:17.670 Get up here, Parker! 01:02:17.670 --> 01:02:18.780 Parker, come here! 01:02:18.780 --> 01:02:20.530 Come here, right? 01:02:20.530 --> 01:02:21.363 Come here! 01:02:23.890 --> 01:02:25.940 They love you, Parker. 01:02:25.940 --> 01:02:27.965 Why do you like him so much? 01:02:27.965 --> 01:02:31.370 (audience cheering) 01:02:31.370 --> 01:02:32.663 Great job, great. 01:02:47.054 --> 01:02:50.054 (audience cheering) 01:02:55.290 --> 01:02:58.286 A lotta good-looking people in this school, I have to say. 01:02:58.286 --> 01:03:00.120 (audience laughing) 01:03:00.120 --> 01:03:01.173 Thank you, Parker. 01:03:02.820 --> 01:03:06.810 This class personifies the spirit of confidence 01:03:06.810 --> 01:03:09.620 and courage and unwavering commitment 01:03:09.620 --> 01:03:14.132 that has always defined the Long Blue Line. 01:03:14.132 --> 01:03:16.230 (audience cheering) It's true. 01:03:16.230 --> 01:03:18.700 It goes all the way back to the very beginning, 01:03:18.700 --> 01:03:22.860 to the first cadet in the Air Force history. 01:03:22.860 --> 01:03:27.860 On in-processing day, you've greeted at the base of a ramp 01:03:28.960 --> 01:03:33.200 by the statue of the legendary Val Bourque. 01:03:33.200 --> 01:03:37.010 Val grew up in a blue-collar family in Massachusetts. 01:03:37.010 --> 01:03:39.290 During his senior year in high school, 01:03:39.290 --> 01:03:43.200 he was recruited to play for the Pittsburgh Pirates. 01:03:43.200 --> 01:03:44.823 That's another baseball player. 01:03:45.830 --> 01:03:50.120 But instead, Val made the same choice as all of you: 01:03:50.120 --> 01:03:52.170 the choice of life of service. 01:03:52.170 --> 01:03:53.630 That's what he wanted. 01:03:53.630 --> 01:03:57.040 Val joined the U.S. Air Force Academy. 01:03:57.040 --> 01:03:59.450 He showed up at 4:30 a.m. 01:03:59.450 --> 01:04:03.980 on the academy's opening day in 1955, 01:04:03.980 --> 01:04:07.860 so he would be the first Air Force cadet in history 01:04:07.860 --> 01:04:10.470 to take the Oath of Allegiance. 01:04:10.470 --> 01:04:12.890 He was thinking fast. 01:04:12.890 --> 01:04:17.020 The academy proved an arduous challenge, however, for Val. 01:04:17.020 --> 01:04:18.510 Wasn't easy. 01:04:18.510 --> 01:04:20.617 As Val's roommate said, 01:04:20.617 --> 01:04:23.707 "He was hanging on by a thread academically. 01:04:23.707 --> 01:04:26.657 "No one was tested more than Val was. 01:04:26.657 --> 01:04:31.657 "But he was at the very top in his character and in honor." 01:04:32.440 --> 01:04:34.500 That's what his roommate said. 01:04:34.500 --> 01:04:38.030 After Val finally made it to where you're sitting today, 01:04:38.030 --> 01:04:40.550 he volunteered to go to Vietnam 01:04:40.550 --> 01:04:43.650 and he proved to be one of the best pilots America had. 01:04:43.650 --> 01:04:44.860 He was amazing. 01:04:44.860 --> 01:04:47.010 He was incredible. 01:04:47.010 --> 01:04:50.800 After nearly a year of intense action, 01:04:50.800 --> 01:04:54.080 he was scheduled to return home. 01:04:54.080 --> 01:04:59.080 He was very excited but he asked to lead one more mission. 01:05:00.660 --> 01:05:05.660 On that day, Val's plane was struck by enemy fire 01:05:06.010 --> 01:05:10.240 and he made the ultimate sacrifice for his country. 01:05:10.240 --> 01:05:12.840 He now rests on these precious grounds, 01:05:12.840 --> 01:05:17.840 and his fighting spirit lives in each and every one of you. 01:05:19.310 --> 01:05:21.593 Great fighting spirit. 01:05:21.593 --> 01:05:24.760 (audience applauding) 01:05:28.970 --> 01:05:31.800 The heroes and legends of every generation 01:05:31.800 --> 01:05:35.010 have always had to confront new perils 01:05:35.010 --> 01:05:37.030 and defeat new dangers. 01:05:37.030 --> 01:05:39.640 No one can foresee all of the challenges 01:05:39.640 --> 01:05:41.530 this class will face, 01:05:41.530 --> 01:05:45.820 but we do know that, with absolute certainty, 01:05:45.820 --> 01:05:48.820 you are going to be ready to serve. 01:05:48.820 --> 01:05:51.560 You are going to be ready to lead. 01:05:51.560 --> 01:05:56.560 You are going to be aiming at the absolute highest point. 01:05:57.700 --> 01:06:01.510 And you are ready to fly, fight, and win. 01:06:01.510 --> 01:06:03.125 Always win. 01:06:03.125 --> 01:06:05.363 (audience applauding) Always. 01:06:06.930 --> 01:06:10.880 You exemplify the grit, the guts, and the grace 01:06:10.880 --> 01:06:12.860 that make America's Air Force, 01:06:12.860 --> 01:06:16.190 by far, the best in the world. 01:06:16.190 --> 01:06:19.257 And in the words of your class motto, 01:06:19.257 --> 01:06:23.250 "Conquer mind, conquer all." 01:06:23.250 --> 01:06:26.230 Each of you has the sharp intellect, 01:06:26.230 --> 01:06:31.230 deep character, inner strength, and the titanium courage 01:06:31.260 --> 01:06:35.160 to vanquish any menace that dares to threaten 01:06:35.160 --> 01:06:37.903 our country or our people. 01:06:37.903 --> 01:06:41.070 (audience applauding) 01:06:44.400 --> 01:06:46.910 We're always ready; right, General? 01:06:46.910 --> 01:06:47.780 Always ready. 01:06:47.780 --> 01:06:48.613 He's ready. 01:06:52.210 --> 01:06:54.540 I wonder how that's gonna be viewed, 01:06:54.540 --> 01:06:57.341 that statement, tomorrow in the press. 01:06:57.341 --> 01:06:59.490 (audience laughing) 01:06:59.490 --> 01:07:00.433 You can imagine. 01:07:01.340 --> 01:07:02.200 And that's okay. 01:07:02.200 --> 01:07:04.559 Let 'em think whatever they wanna think. 01:07:04.559 --> 01:07:07.559 (audience cheering) 01:07:13.200 --> 01:07:17.690 More than half of you will soon head to pilot training, 01:07:17.690 --> 01:07:20.670 where you'll prepare to unleash American thunder 01:07:20.670 --> 01:07:22.720 anywhere we need. 01:07:22.720 --> 01:07:27.720 Another 45 will join our Remotely Piloted Aircraft program. 01:07:29.010 --> 01:07:32.480 A record number of you will become space operators. 01:07:32.480 --> 01:07:37.140 You will specialize in combat rescues, intelligence, 01:07:37.140 --> 01:07:40.110 missile maintenance, weather, air traffic control, 01:07:40.110 --> 01:07:42.710 engineering, and much, much more. 01:07:42.710 --> 01:07:44.490 Each of you is graduating 01:07:44.490 --> 01:07:48.033 at a truly incredible time for our country. 01:07:49.070 --> 01:07:51.210 Our country is doing well. 01:07:51.210 --> 01:07:53.802 Our country is respected again. 01:07:53.802 --> 01:07:56.802 (audience cheering) 01:08:01.590 --> 01:08:03.303 We are respected again. 01:08:04.840 --> 01:08:09.840 And we're reawakening American pride, 01:08:10.090 --> 01:08:14.640 American confidence, and American greatness. 01:08:14.640 --> 01:08:15.473 You know that. 01:08:16.470 --> 01:08:19.660 These gentlemen know it; I'll tell you right now. 01:08:19.660 --> 01:08:20.794 Thank you very much. 01:08:20.794 --> 01:08:21.627 Thank you very much. 01:08:21.627 --> 01:08:23.370 That's very nice. 01:08:23.370 --> 01:08:26.640 And we are restoring the fundamental principle 01:08:26.640 --> 01:08:29.930 that our first obligation and highest loyalty 01:08:29.930 --> 01:08:33.350 is to the American citizen. 01:08:33.350 --> 01:08:37.080 No longer will we sacrifice America's interests 01:08:37.080 --> 01:08:39.280 to any foreign power. 01:08:39.280 --> 01:08:40.903 We don't do that anymore. 01:08:42.142 --> 01:08:45.142 (audience cheering) 01:08:46.230 --> 01:08:50.610 In all things and ways, we are putting America first, 01:08:50.610 --> 01:08:52.235 and it's about time. 01:08:52.235 --> 01:08:55.235 (audience cheering) 01:08:58.360 --> 01:09:03.360 Our economy is booming, our people are thriving, 01:09:03.450 --> 01:09:07.480 and our military is stronger, mightier, and more powerful, 01:09:07.480 --> 01:09:12.120 with all of that new aircraft, than ever before. 01:09:12.120 --> 01:09:14.800 I am committed to keeping our military 01:09:14.800 --> 01:09:17.300 the best trained, best equipped, 01:09:17.300 --> 01:09:20.870 and most technologically advanced fighting force 01:09:20.870 --> 01:09:22.693 anywhere under the sun. 01:09:23.923 --> 01:09:26.923 (audience cheering) 01:09:28.690 --> 01:09:33.690 Last year, against some pretty strong opposition, 01:09:34.700 --> 01:09:36.230 which I'll always have, 01:09:36.230 --> 01:09:41.230 we secured $700 billion to support our warfighters, 01:09:42.910 --> 01:09:47.910 followed by another $716 billion, not million, billion. 01:09:48.810 --> 01:09:50.124 That's with a B. 01:09:50.124 --> 01:09:51.747 (audience laughing) 01:09:51.747 --> 01:09:56.210 $716 billion this year. 01:09:56.210 --> 01:10:01.210 That means we are delivering 56 new Air Force F-35s, 01:10:01.920 --> 01:10:03.123 brand new stealth. 01:10:04.468 --> 01:10:07.468 (audience cheering) 01:10:09.580 --> 01:10:11.137 I asked somebody on the other side, 01:10:11.137 --> 01:10:12.520 "What do you think of that plane?" 01:10:12.520 --> 01:10:13.380 A foreign leader. 01:10:13.380 --> 01:10:16.629 They said, "We have a problem with it; we can't see it." 01:10:16.629 --> 01:10:17.840 (audience laughing) It's always good. 01:10:17.840 --> 01:10:19.890 It's always good when they can't see you. 01:10:20.890 --> 01:10:25.050 24 new Reaper remotely piloted Aircraft, 01:10:25.050 --> 01:10:29.070 15 new Pegasus aerial refueling aircraft, 01:10:29.070 --> 01:10:32.090 10 new combat rescue helicopters, 01:10:32.090 --> 01:10:35.780 and a well-earned pay raise for every soldier, 01:10:35.780 --> 01:10:38.150 sailor, airman, Coast Guardsman, 01:10:38.150 --> 01:10:41.275 and Marine in the United States military. 01:10:41.275 --> 01:10:44.275 (audience cheering) 01:10:48.410 --> 01:10:52.210 And if anybody wants to give up your raise, it's okay. 01:10:52.210 --> 01:10:53.781 We'll accept that, okay? 01:10:53.781 --> 01:10:54.860 (audience laughing) 01:10:54.860 --> 01:10:55.962 Don't do it. 01:10:55.962 --> 01:10:57.170 (audience laughing) 01:10:57.170 --> 01:10:58.930 We're also asking Congress 01:10:58.930 --> 01:11:01.450 to invest more in hypersonic weapons. 01:11:01.450 --> 01:11:04.220 We have things under development, 01:11:04.220 --> 01:11:06.400 the likes of which you've never seen, 01:11:06.400 --> 01:11:08.853 the likes of which you can't even conceive. 01:11:10.150 --> 01:11:15.150 Artificial intelligence, nuclear weapons and modernization, 01:11:16.060 --> 01:11:19.300 and space superiority. 01:11:19.300 --> 01:11:21.520 And we're soon having, as you know, 01:11:21.520 --> 01:11:24.750 something that I started. 01:11:24.750 --> 01:11:26.260 And it started a little slow, 01:11:26.260 --> 01:11:29.490 and now everybody's embraced it: Space Force. 01:11:29.490 --> 01:11:31.066 And you're gonna be working with them. 01:11:31.066 --> 01:11:34.066 (audience cheering) 01:11:36.156 --> 01:11:38.680 And, General, I wanna thank you for helping us so much. 01:11:38.680 --> 01:11:40.140 It's been really great. 01:11:40.140 --> 01:11:42.410 Working with you has been great. 01:11:42.410 --> 01:11:43.243 Whole new force. 01:11:44.335 --> 01:11:47.900 In this stadium today are many of the future leaders 01:11:47.900 --> 01:11:51.240 who will develop the doctrine, strategy, and technology 01:11:51.240 --> 01:11:55.820 to restore America's legacy of leadership in space. 01:11:55.820 --> 01:11:58.950 As you know, other nations are moving aggressively 01:11:58.950 --> 01:12:02.080 to weaponize space with new technologies 01:12:02.080 --> 01:12:07.080 that can disrupt vital communications and blind satellites 01:12:07.280 --> 01:12:11.360 that are critical to our battlefield operations. 01:12:11.360 --> 01:12:15.130 It is a time for America to reclaim the ultimate high ground 01:12:15.130 --> 01:12:18.730 and prepare our young warriors of today 01:12:18.730 --> 01:12:22.220 for victory on the battlefield tomorrow. 01:12:22.220 --> 01:12:23.950 It's a very different battlefield. 01:12:23.950 --> 01:12:26.720 It's a very different type of warfare. 01:12:26.720 --> 01:12:28.170 But we are so advanced. 01:12:28.170 --> 01:12:31.070 And when you see what's coming, you won't even believe it. 01:12:32.390 --> 01:12:34.280 And hopefully, you know what? 01:12:34.280 --> 01:12:37.780 Hopefully, we never have to use it. 01:12:37.780 --> 01:12:39.692 Peace through strength. 01:12:39.692 --> 01:12:41.270 (audience cheering) 01:12:41.270 --> 01:12:43.073 Peace through strength. 01:12:46.960 --> 01:12:48.380 As your commander-in-chief, 01:12:48.380 --> 01:12:50.640 I want you to know that we will pursue 01:12:50.640 --> 01:12:53.990 and maintain the overwhelming strength we need 01:12:53.990 --> 01:12:58.663 to deter any aggressor and thrash any foe. 01:12:59.680 --> 01:13:00.513 For that reason, 01:13:00.513 --> 01:13:04.040 I am committed to building the Air Force we need 01:13:04.040 --> 01:13:09.040 with the full strength of 386 squadrons. 01:13:10.100 --> 01:13:11.440 And we're getting it done, too. 01:13:11.440 --> 01:13:13.550 It's happening rapidly. 01:13:13.550 --> 01:13:15.890 Because nothing will ever strike more fear 01:13:15.890 --> 01:13:17.640 in the hearts of our enemies 01:13:17.640 --> 01:13:21.030 or inspire more confidence in our friends 01:13:21.030 --> 01:13:24.730 than the roaring engines of American fighter jets, 01:13:24.730 --> 01:13:29.699 flown by the greatest pilots on the planet Earth, by far: 01:13:29.699 --> 01:13:30.532 you. 01:13:30.532 --> 01:13:33.532 (audience cheering) 01:13:35.670 --> 01:13:38.250 The sound of American warplanes 01:13:38.250 --> 01:13:42.340 is the righteous sound of American justice. 01:13:42.340 --> 01:13:45.030 Today, you inherit a legacy of service and valor 01:13:45.030 --> 01:13:47.370 handed down through generations. 01:13:47.370 --> 01:13:51.890 It's a tradition built by legends like Rickenbacker, 01:13:51.890 --> 01:13:56.130 Doolittle, Wagner, Archer, Boyd, 01:13:56.130 --> 01:14:00.103 Yeager, Sijan, Grissom, and Chapman. 01:14:01.340 --> 01:14:03.030 Great people. 01:14:03.030 --> 01:14:06.503 Great people. (audience cheering) 01:14:08.610 --> 01:14:12.540 These trailblazers broke barriers after barrier, 01:14:12.540 --> 01:14:16.850 and they innovated and adapted to push America further, 01:14:16.850 --> 01:14:20.110 faster, and on to total victory. 01:14:20.110 --> 01:14:24.593 It is the same spirit embodied by your class exemplar, 01:14:25.650 --> 01:14:30.510 Neil Armstrong, who started out flying jets over Korea, 01:14:30.510 --> 01:14:32.260 and, 50 years ago this summer, 01:14:32.260 --> 01:14:35.493 planted our great American flag on the face of the moon. 01:14:36.720 --> 01:14:40.430 Just like all of the aces of our past 01:14:40.430 --> 01:14:42.410 and the heroes of our history, 01:14:42.410 --> 01:14:45.720 they were ready to lead when America needed them most. 01:14:45.720 --> 01:14:49.460 And so is every cadet who graduates today. 01:14:49.460 --> 01:14:51.055 Is that correct? 01:14:51.055 --> 01:14:52.919 (audience cheering) 01:14:52.919 --> 01:14:53.853 I think so. 01:14:55.470 --> 01:14:56.760 You are the patriots 01:14:56.760 --> 01:15:00.123 whose names will go down in Air Force history. 01:15:01.060 --> 01:15:03.610 You will redefine warfare 01:15:03.610 --> 01:15:08.510 at a very, very critical time in our country's history. 01:15:08.510 --> 01:15:10.370 You'll win great battles 01:15:10.370 --> 01:15:14.530 and bring our enemies to crushing defeat. 01:15:14.530 --> 01:15:17.210 You will explore the boundaries of space 01:15:17.210 --> 01:15:21.660 and keep America forever proud and forever free. 01:15:21.660 --> 01:15:25.270 So today, you take the controls. 01:15:25.270 --> 01:15:27.240 You're going to push it up 01:15:27.240 --> 01:15:30.610 and chart your course across the sky. 01:15:30.610 --> 01:15:33.200 Keep the wings level and true, 01:15:33.200 --> 01:15:36.870 because your country is sending you on a vital mission: 01:15:36.870 --> 01:15:40.160 to defend America, protect our people, 01:15:40.160 --> 01:15:45.160 and to pursue our nation's great and glorious destiny. 01:15:45.720 --> 01:15:48.170 Nothing will stop you from victory. 01:15:48.170 --> 01:15:51.760 Nothing will stop the U.S. Air Force. 01:15:51.760 --> 01:15:53.850 And with your help, 01:15:53.850 --> 01:15:58.850 nothing ever, ever will stop the United States of America. 01:16:00.997 --> 01:16:03.997 (audience cheering) 01:16:08.510 --> 01:16:09.960 So, I wanna conclude 01:16:09.960 --> 01:16:14.960 by giving a very special congratulations 01:16:15.050 --> 01:16:20.050 to a very special group of amazing cadets and people. 01:16:21.020 --> 01:16:23.678 It's the Class of 2019. 01:16:23.678 --> 01:16:24.928 - [All] Strong! 01:16:26.080 --> 01:16:29.410 - On behalf of our nation, God bless you, 01:16:29.410 --> 01:16:34.210 God bless the Air Force, and God bless America. 01:16:34.210 --> 01:16:35.790 This is a great honor being with you. 01:16:35.790 --> 01:16:38.220 Thank you and congratulations to everybody. 01:16:38.220 --> 01:16:39.157 Thank you. 01:16:39.157 --> 01:16:42.157 (audience cheering) 01:16:50.879 --> 01:16:55.853 Thank you, fellas. 01:17:09.129 --> 01:17:11.105 - [Woman] We love you, Trump! 01:17:11.105 --> 01:17:14.105 (audience cheering) 01:17:16.971 --> 01:17:19.802 - [Man] Four more years! 01:17:19.802 --> 01:17:22.802 (audience cheering) 01:17:30.300 --> 01:17:34.470 - Ladies and gentlemen, the cadet class president for 2019, 01:17:34.470 --> 01:17:38.130 Cadet First Class Jacob Saucedo, 01:17:38.130 --> 01:17:40.210 the summer cadet wing commander, 01:17:40.210 --> 01:17:43.340 Cadet First Class Madison Froebe, 01:17:43.340 --> 01:17:45.180 the fall cadet wing commander, 01:17:45.180 --> 01:17:47.880 Cadet First Class Matthew Moawad, 01:17:47.880 --> 01:17:49.590 and the spring cadet wing commander, 01:17:49.590 --> 01:17:51.450 Cadet First Class Erica Barnett 01:17:52.290 --> 01:17:54.540 will present the class gift to the president. 01:18:02.891 --> 01:18:06.058 (audience applauding) 01:18:14.630 --> 01:18:16.350 - President Donald Trump, 01:18:16.350 --> 01:18:18.570 for your dedicated service to our nation, 01:18:18.570 --> 01:18:20.520 to the United States Air Force, 01:18:20.520 --> 01:18:22.850 and to the United States Air Force Academy, 01:18:22.850 --> 01:18:25.650 it is with great pride that today's graduating class 01:18:25.650 --> 01:18:29.390 designates you (audio skipping) an honorary member 01:18:29.390 --> 01:18:32.674 of the United States Air Force Academy Class of 2019. 01:18:32.674 --> 01:18:34.281 - [All] Strong! 01:18:34.281 --> 01:18:37.281 (audience cheering) 01:18:43.710 --> 01:18:45.500 As tangible evidence of that honor, 01:18:45.500 --> 01:18:48.100 we ask that you accept this painting by Rick Broome. 01:18:49.790 --> 01:18:51.960 On behalf of the United States Air Force Academy, 01:18:51.960 --> 01:18:53.930 we also present you with our class coin 01:18:53.930 --> 01:18:55.813 as a token of our appreciation. 01:18:58.121 --> 01:19:01.288 (audience applauding) 01:19:16.065 --> 01:19:19.565 (indiscriminate shouting) 01:19:26.848 --> 01:19:30.015 (audience applauding) 01:19:47.430 --> 01:19:50.566 Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. David Palenchar, 01:19:50.566 --> 01:19:53.010 president of the Air Force Academy Foundation, 01:19:53.010 --> 01:19:55.310 will present the Distinguished American Award. 01:20:05.080 --> 01:20:05.913 - Mr. President, 01:20:07.020 --> 01:20:10.180 on behalf of the Air Force Academy Foundation 01:20:10.180 --> 01:20:12.090 and all the charitable organizations 01:20:12.090 --> 01:20:14.810 that support the Air Force Academy, 01:20:14.810 --> 01:20:16.250 I am pleased to present to you 01:20:16.250 --> 01:20:18.890 the Distinguished American Award. 01:20:18.890 --> 01:20:22.910 Thank you for being here today to recognize and honor 01:20:22.910 --> 01:20:25.770 the next generation of American heroes, 01:20:25.770 --> 01:20:28.003 their families, and friends. 01:20:31.471 --> 01:20:32.998 Thank you, Mr. President. 01:20:32.998 --> 01:20:36.165 (audience applauding) 01:20:50.267 --> 01:20:52.663 - Ladies and gentlemen, take seats. 01:20:58.290 --> 01:21:02.200 Ladies and gentlemen, Brigadier General Andrew Armacost, 01:21:02.200 --> 01:21:03.892 the dean of faculty. 01:21:03.892 --> 01:21:06.892 (audience cheering) 01:21:12.440 --> 01:21:13.790 - President Trump, 01:21:13.790 --> 01:21:17.660 before presenting the entire graduating class to you, 01:21:17.660 --> 01:21:19.570 I would like to single out some individuals 01:21:19.570 --> 01:21:21.440 for special recognition. 01:21:21.440 --> 01:21:26.440 First, I call to your attention 102 distinguished graduates 01:21:27.270 --> 01:21:29.463 who are listed at the top of your program. 01:21:30.370 --> 01:21:33.810 These cadets, by their overall performance, 01:21:33.810 --> 01:21:37.060 have placed in the top 10% of their class 01:21:37.060 --> 01:21:39.660 and have demonstrated true excellence 01:21:39.660 --> 01:21:42.500 in accomplishing the academic, military, 01:21:42.500 --> 01:21:45.253 and athletic requirements for graduation. 01:21:46.170 --> 01:21:49.470 If we observed the custom of academic honors, 01:21:49.470 --> 01:21:53.580 each would be graduating either summa cum laude, 01:21:53.580 --> 01:21:55.773 magna cum laude, or cum laude. 01:21:56.850 --> 01:22:01.150 Instead, we use the term 'distinguished graduate' 01:22:01.150 --> 01:22:03.660 as most fitting in its promise 01:22:03.660 --> 01:22:05.793 of distinguished service to our nation. 01:22:06.930 --> 01:22:10.180 At this time, will the distinguished graduates 01:22:10.180 --> 01:22:14.173 of the Neil Armstrong class please rise and be recognized? 01:22:15.034 --> 01:22:18.034 (audience cheering) 01:22:28.250 --> 01:22:30.000 Great, thank you, please be seated. 01:22:32.110 --> 01:22:37.110 Those identified in your program with an S beside their name 01:22:37.280 --> 01:22:42.280 are cadets graduating with the Academy Scholar distinction, 01:22:42.330 --> 01:22:44.380 having completed successfully 01:22:44.380 --> 01:22:46.980 a challenging academic enrichment path 01:22:46.980 --> 01:22:49.293 through the four-year core curriculum. 01:22:50.390 --> 01:22:51.820 We would also like to recognize 01:22:51.820 --> 01:22:54.640 those cadets who have placed in the top 10% 01:22:54.640 --> 01:22:57.913 of our academic, military, and athletic programs. 01:22:58.840 --> 01:23:02.700 Identified in your program with a star by their name 01:23:02.700 --> 01:23:06.710 are cadets graduating with academic distinction. 01:23:06.710 --> 01:23:08.800 Those identified in the program 01:23:08.800 --> 01:23:10.820 with a wreath beside their names 01:23:10.820 --> 01:23:13.713 are cadets graduating with military distinction. 01:23:14.560 --> 01:23:16.430 Those identified in the program 01:23:16.430 --> 01:23:18.480 with a lighting bolt beside their names 01:23:18.480 --> 01:23:21.363 are cadets graduating with athletic distinction. 01:23:22.330 --> 01:23:25.734 And those exceptional nine cadets 01:23:25.734 --> 01:23:28.200 (audio skipping) all three distinctions 01:23:28.200 --> 01:23:30.350 are identified in the program 01:23:30.350 --> 01:23:35.350 with a star within a wreath resting on two lightning bolts. 01:23:35.720 --> 01:23:38.420 Please stand as I call your names. 01:23:38.420 --> 01:23:40.726 Trey Landon Arnold. 01:23:40.726 --> 01:23:43.330 (audience cheering) 01:23:43.330 --> 01:23:45.589 Kyle Andrew Leland. 01:23:45.589 --> 01:23:48.433 (audience cheering) 01:23:48.433 --> 01:23:50.402 Kyle David Haak. 01:23:50.402 --> 01:23:53.860 (audience cheering) 01:23:53.860 --> 01:23:56.078 Molly Katherine Olmos. 01:23:56.078 --> 01:23:59.250 (audience cheering) 01:23:59.250 --> 01:24:01.494 Nicholas Ben Hurley. 01:24:01.494 --> 01:24:04.590 (audience cheering) 01:24:04.590 --> 01:24:06.739 Ryan Christopher Palmer. 01:24:06.739 --> 01:24:10.510 (audience cheering) 01:24:10.510 --> 01:24:13.086 Grace Lynn Chiarolanza. 01:24:13.086 --> 01:24:16.240 (audience cheering) 01:24:16.240 --> 01:24:18.745 Pierce Thomas Kassmeier. 01:24:18.745 --> 01:24:22.092 (audience cheering) 01:24:22.092 --> 01:24:25.058 And finally, Ryan Joseph Howe. 01:24:25.058 --> 01:24:28.058 (audience cheering) 01:24:29.580 --> 01:24:30.930 Congratulations to all. 01:24:30.930 --> 01:24:32.033 Please have a seat. 01:24:33.830 --> 01:24:36.250 We are also pleased to have in the class 01:24:36.250 --> 01:24:39.140 graduates from 10 foreign nations. 01:24:39.140 --> 01:24:41.810 They will stand as I recognize their nations. 01:24:41.810 --> 01:24:45.183 We have students representing the nations of Kazakhstan. 01:24:46.265 --> 01:24:49.265 (audience cheering) 01:24:50.920 --> 01:24:53.305 The Republic of Korea. 01:24:53.305 --> 01:24:56.305 (audience cheering) 01:24:58.080 --> 01:24:59.033 Romania. 01:24:59.928 --> 01:25:02.928 (audience cheering) 01:25:04.700 --> 01:25:06.379 Rwanda. 01:25:06.379 --> 01:25:09.379 (audience cheering) 01:25:11.100 --> 01:25:12.831 Sri Lanka. 01:25:12.831 --> 01:25:16.390 (audience cheering) 01:25:16.390 --> 01:25:17.313 Taiwan. 01:25:18.179 --> 01:25:21.179 (audience cheering) 01:25:22.710 --> 01:25:24.423 Thailand. 01:25:24.423 --> 01:25:28.040 (audience cheering) 01:25:28.040 --> 01:25:29.840 The Philippines. 01:25:29.840 --> 01:25:32.840 (audience cheering) 01:25:34.400 --> 01:25:36.053 Singapore. 01:25:36.053 --> 01:25:39.053 (audience cheering) 01:25:40.260 --> 01:25:42.798 And finally, Tunisia. 01:25:42.798 --> 01:25:45.798 (audience cheering) 01:25:47.450 --> 01:25:48.590 And for one last photo op, 01:25:48.590 --> 01:25:50.010 will all of our international students 01:25:50.010 --> 01:25:52.929 please stand and be recognized one more time? 01:25:52.929 --> 01:25:55.929 (audience cheering) 01:26:02.270 --> 01:26:03.703 Thank you, please be seated. 01:26:04.950 --> 01:26:09.300 In conclusion, a total of 991 Air Force Academy cadets 01:26:09.300 --> 01:26:10.890 in this year's class 01:26:10.890 --> 01:26:14.500 have completed all graduation requirements. 01:26:14.500 --> 01:26:16.940 It gives me great pleasure to present to you, 01:26:16.940 --> 01:26:20.060 President Trump, the United States Air Force Academy 01:26:20.060 --> 01:26:23.286 Neil Armstrong Class of 2019-- 01:26:23.286 --> 01:26:24.907 - [All] Strong! 01:26:24.907 --> 01:26:25.890 - And I recommend each 01:26:25.890 --> 01:26:28.313 as worthy of the bachelor of science degree. 01:26:29.153 --> 01:26:32.153 (audience cheering)