Naval grads told they’ll join fight

Associated Press

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Vice President Dick Cheney launched Naval Academy graduates on their military careers Friday with a somber warning that they will be called on to fight terrorists determined to destroy America.

The graduates are the first class in more than a generation to leave the academy in a time of war, he said.

"I am told that on the morning our country was attacked last year, every one of you had the same wish, to graduate Sept. 12 and take your place in the first war of the 21st century," Cheney said. "Much has happened since that day, but there is a great deal left to do."

He said there is "no doubt" terrorists wish to strike the United States again and are working to acquire weapons of mass destruction.

"Deliverable weapons of mass destruction in the hands of terrorists would expose this nation and the civilized world to the worst of horrors," Cheney told the 965 graduates of the Class of 2002. "We will not allow that to happen."

The ceremony took place amid heightened security at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, where Secret Service agents roamed the stands and the 25,000 spectators passed through metal detectors.

Brian Ray of Plano, Texas, said Sept. 11 "kind of focused my attention on what I’d gotten myself into." But he said his decision to come to Annapolis was the correct one.

Jason Chen, of St. Louis, said his class "has the responsibility to take up the challenge" and will fulfill that responsibility.

The class included 831 men and 134 women, most receiving commissions as Navy ensigns or Marine Corps second lieutenants.