Warrior Forge Graduation at Fort Lewis (As Written)

August 2, 2006

Thank you for that kind introduction.

Cadets of the 9th Regiment, today you are graduating from one of the toughest and most prestigious training experiences in the United States Army; and with my husband Mike, a Vietnam veteran, I am honored to be here today to congratulate you on such a momentous day.

Many of you may already have met Mike when he spent a day in the field with you in July. Mike did his basic training here at North Fort Lewis.

He completed Field Artillery Officer Candidate School at Fort Sill in Oklahoma and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the air defense artillery corps.

During his visit with you, he was impressed with the breadth and depth of topics that you cover in your 33 days here.

I know you have worked hard to be here.

From Navigation and Marksmanship to Tactical and Individual Combat Training, the days and nights of work have continually pushed you to new limits and have tested your resolve.

You have grown to be leaders as members of the U.S. Army. You have come a long way in developing the physical and mental skills necessary to earn the honor of leading our sons and daughters as an Army Lieutenant.

Each of you should be truly proud of your accomplishments as individuals, but more importantly, as members of cohesive squads and platoons.

The 9th Regiment has been both a home and a family to you over these past weeks and, with your fellow cadets, you have shared a unique experience. You have learned a great deal from each other as individuals, and more importantly, you have learned to work together as a team.

This spirit of teamwork will stay with you throughout your career and will guarantee that the Army you lead will continue to be the best in the world.

You deserve the special trust and confidence our nation bestows upon a commissioned officer.

You have proven to yourself, to your fellow cadets and to your platoon that you are worthy of the title of officer in the U. S. Army. You are all leaders!

The challenges that face our nation in the future are many and unpredictable. You are entering into a profession unlike any other, one that involves the greatest of public trusts, the defense of the nation and its institutions and the trust of the American people.

You carry with you a long, honorable tradition of duty and your actions must be guided by higher than normal standards�the reputation of your profession and your fellow officers depends on it.

When you return to your campus this fall, you can hold your head high. You have met the challenges of Warrior Forge and have emerged a leader.

You are ready to train those future warrior leaders that will follow in your footsteps.

Congratulations on your superb performance. I wish you all the best of luck in your future military careers. You represent the very best our country has to offer and I am confident the defense of our nation will be in good hands.

Thank you, God bless you, God bless the great state of Washington and God bless the United States of America.

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