U.S. President Biden is all set to deliver the commencement speech on Saturday at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York. This comes amid ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, making his address particularly timely.
Here's what makes this event even more special:
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Supporting Veterans: Biden's speech to around 1,000 U.S. Army cadets is part of his broader effort to showcase his administration's dedication to supporting military personnel, both active and retired. He'll likely touch on the bipartisan law he signed two years ago, which makes it easier for veterans exposed to burn pits or other toxins to access healthcare.
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Upcoming Memorial Events: Following this, Biden will honor Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia on Monday. The following week, he’ll be in Normandy, France, for the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion, where he's expected to highlight the heroism of Allied forces during World War II and the ongoing challenges to democracy.
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A Historic Tradition: While Biden has addressed West Point cadets twice before as vice president, this will be his first time doing so as president. The military academy, established in 1802 by President Thomas Jefferson, has produced some of the nation's most distinguished generals, including two presidents.
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Comparing Administrations: It's interesting to note that Donald Trump, Biden's rival in the upcoming 2024 election, was the last president to speak at a West Point commencement back in 2020. Trump's support from the military community has seen some erosion; he secured 60% of military voters in 2016, which dipped to 54% in 2020, according to NBC News. Biden, on the other hand, captured 44% of these voters in 2020.
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College Protests: Nationwide, college campuses have seen protests over Biden's stance on Israel's conflict with Hamas, especially after the October 7 attack by the militant group. This has been evident at Harvard, Duke, and Yale. However, protests were minimal when Biden spoke at Morehouse College earlier this month.
Unlike these campuses, the disciplined environment of the military academy makes protests unlikely during Biden's address at West Point. This setting will allow the president to focus on his message without the backdrop of demonstrations, underscoring the academy's commitment to training future Army officers.
Biden's speech at West Point is a significant moment, combining a celebration of military tradition with a reflection on current global and domestic challenges.
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