第6章 西点军魂[7] Long Grey Line

谢谢！谢谢！谢谢！谢谢！请坐！非常感谢！早上好！

我很高兴来到美国军事学院——美国最古老的、持续占据军事制高点的——为美国培养现代军官的院校。

哈根贝克将军，感谢您的介绍，这一天对于您和院长费尼根将军来说具有特殊的意义。您二位作为1971届的毕业生，最先来到西点军校，在你们的教导下，学员们的热情得到不断的激发，并且学员也在不断进步，在你们的领导下，学院赢得了广泛的赞誉，成为美国最好的大学。（掌声）今天，您二位终于可以载誉而归，光荣退休了。哈根贝克将军和朱蒂，费尼根将军和琼，我们感谢你们39年来为美国陆军和美国所做出的卓越贡献。（掌声）

感谢校长拉普将军，还有学院的全体教职工，你们大部分都是退伍军人，感谢你们的付出，感谢你们启迪和塑造学员，使之具有今日“领导者的性格”。（鼓掌）

我同样感谢辛赛奇将军，麦克休秘书的出席，以及此刻与我们在一起的国会成员——两位知名的校友：参议员杰克·里德和国会议员帕特里克·墨菲。（掌声）

感谢在座的所有家庭——尤其是所有的爸爸妈妈——今天也是对你们的歌颂。虽然是你们的儿子和女儿决定来西点军校，但却是你们服务精神的熏陶才使他们在战争时期来到这个神圣的地方。因此，我代表美国人民感谢你们做出的榜样，感谢你们的爱国主义精神。（掌声）

感谢美国陆战队的学员们，你们大部分都是2010届学员，作为你们的总司令，我感到至高无上的荣耀。在我们的宪法体系下，作为总统，我的权力被理智地约束，但在某些领域，作为你们的指挥官，我的权力是绝对的。作为总司令，我特此赦免所有犯有微小罪行的学员。（掌声）我将把“微小”的概念——（笑声）——留给对此有更深刻理解的人来解释。（笑声）

2010届的学员们，今天是你们的日子，让我们在学员-学者的优秀传统中，祝贺你们取得的所有成就，同时期待未来重要的使命。

你们已经努力完成了“野兽兵营”的苦训，几星期在雨里泥里训练。我得知还有比以往学员更多的检测和操练在等着你们。一路走来，我相信你们都曾有一些时刻问自己：“我在这里做什么？”我也曾有过这样的时刻。（笑声）你们为今天任务的复杂性训练着，因为成功的标准不仅要依靠战场上的行为，还要依靠你们对服役地文化、传统和语言的理解。

你们已跨越国界，比学院历史上任何一届学员都具有更多的国际经验。你们不仅参加了外国院校，与国际友人建立起新的友谊，而且也受邀加入来自近12个国家的学员组成的实习生队伍。在自然科学、人文科学、历史、技术方面，你们挑战自我，毫无疑问，你们成绩优异，创造了西点军校历史上研究生奖学金最多的纪录。（掌声）

其中包括你们的第一名全能学员和致告别辞的学员代表——莉斯·佰特白德和亚历克斯·罗森博格。在学院的历史上，这是首次，你们的两个最高奖项被女性学员所获得。（掌声）

21世纪，从巴格达到巴格拉姆，我从我们军队的张张面孔中看到一个凸显的事实，女性在我们国家防御中扮演了不可或缺的角色。一次又一次，在国家军队中，作为学生、士兵、领导者，她们为我们的孩子们树立了榜样。

此刻，体育场里的一张张脸庞也显示出一个简单的真理：美国军队是美国社会宽度的充分代表。你们来自于全国各地——有富有的，有贫穷的，有来自大都市的，有来自小城镇的。信仰也各不相同，这就是我们人民生活的丰富性。民族种族也存在着巨大的差异性，这是我们国家力量的根本。

然而，有一件事让你们与众不同。在这里，在这些静谧的小山中，你们走到一起，为我们时代最困难的考验做准备。你们报名，即使知道前方的道路危险而泥泞，在战争的第一声鼓点响起之际，你们就已经为此做好了准备。从你们身上，我们看到了对国家的承诺，看到了为国效忠的不朽美德。

我们看到了你们的责任感——其中有些人在战争中右肩受伤，像伊拉克战争中的士兵，虽然自己身上被手榴弹所伤，但仍然帮助战友撤退——他是你们学员军团的第一任队长泰勒·戈迪。（掌声）

我们看到了你们的荣誉感——你们尊重传统，继承延续了几个世纪的“西点军魂”。每次当队伍沉默地肃立，在崇敬中，就有一名学员为我们的祖国做出了最后的牺牲。的确，今天，在伊拉克和阿富汗，本校已有78名令人尊敬的毕业生为了我们的自由和安全献出了他们宝贵的生命。

我们看到了你们对祖国的热爱——正如校训中所言：对美国奉献、热爱。它将指引你们的服务生涯：“忠诚‘直到最后’。”责任，荣誉，对祖国的爱。你们在这里学到的每一件事，你们在这里所成就的一切，都为今天的你们做出了准备——当你们举起右手说出誓言的时候；当爱你们的人或导师把那些金色徽章挂在你们肩头的时候；当你们最后成为美国军队里一名军官的时候。

这是西点连续第9次毕业典礼，即使我们的国家还处在战争状态。这次战争开始于阿富汗——离平静的哈德逊河湾似乎很遥远。战争的开始是因为遥远地方的暴力极端分子策划袭击我们的城市和公民，而战争的持续是因为他们的策划和阴谋一直持续到今天。

许多年了，我们的重点都在伊拉克。年复一年，我们的部队在那里面对着许多的挑战，其复杂程度令人却步。实力弱的军队可能会精神崩溃，但我们美国部队却因此变得更加有韧性。他们适应，坚持，与联盟军和伊拉克同行合作，依靠自己的能力、创造力和勇气，将于今年夏天结束我们的战争任务。（掌声）

即使我们过渡权力给伊拉克，撤回我们的军队，我们对伊拉克人民的承诺仍将继续。我们将继续指导和协助伊拉克安全部队，他们负责这个国家大部分地区的安全。一个强有力的美国公民形象的出现，能帮助伊拉克人民建立一个政治和经济不断进步国家。这不是一个简单的任务，但这正是成功应有的样子：一个不是恐怖分子避难所的伊拉克，一个拥有主权、稳定和自立的民主的伊拉克。

当我们结束了伊拉克的战争，我们还要进驻阿富汗。半年前，我来到西点军校宣布关于阿富汗和巴基斯坦的新战略。我站在这里，满怀卑微，因为我知道你们中许多人会因为国效忠而置自己于险境。但我向你们保证，一个骄傲和充满感激的国家将给予你们全力的支持。

在阿富汗，我们处境艰难。任何叛乱都会是一个直接的挑战，从而导致战术的变化。从马里加到坎大哈，塔利班所做的全是暗杀、肆意杀戮和恐吓。即使有几十年战争经验的国家也将经受检验：找到对问题的政治解决方案，并提供可以维持进步和服务人民需要的治理策略。

这场战争在过去的9年里已经发生了改变，但它依旧和“9·11”之后的那些日子同样重要。我们推翻了塔利班政权——现在我们必须粉碎塔利班叛乱的势头，和训练阿富汗安全部队。我们支持了一个主权政府的选举工作——现在我们必须增强政府的能力。我们已经给阿富汗人民带来了希望——现在我们必须看到，他们的国家没有成为我们共同敌人的牺牲品。学员们，前方的路很艰苦。但我们会适应，坚持。我坚信，与我们的阿富汗和国际伙伴联手，我们一定会在阿富汗取得成功。（鼓掌）

现在，即使我们对抗面前的战争，我们也必须看到超越这些战争的地平线——因为我们不像恐怖分子，他们的目的是破坏，而我们的未来将由我们自己来构建。我们必须看到地平线，而要到达那里，我们必须寻求一种国家的复兴和引领全球的策略。我们必须构建美国力量和影响力的源泉，塑造一个更加和平繁荣的世界。

一次又一次，美国人站起来去迎接和塑造改变的时刻，这就是其中的一个——一个经济转型、个人赋权的时代。我们迎接这些挑战，需要你们所有人的帮助。而你们也回应了我的号召。你们和所有穿着美国军装的人们，就是我们国防的基石，全球安全的船锚。有一个阶段我们的许多机构表现得不负责任，但美国军队已经制定了服务和牺牲的标准，这是我们国家历史上的伟大时刻。（掌声）

现在，剩下的我们——剩下的我们必须做好我们的随时做贡献的准备。首先，我们必须认识到，我们在国外的力量与影响力始于我们在国内采取的步骤。我们必须教育好我们的孩子，让他们在知识就是资本、全球就是市场的时代如何竞争。我们必须开发清洁能源，激励新行业，摆脱对外国石油的依赖，保护我们的地球。我们必须从事科学研究，开启奇迹，因为未来不可预料，就像一个世纪以前，我们不会想到微芯片的诞生和月球表面的探险。

简而言之，美国的创新必须成为美国力量的基础——因为在人类的历史上没有哪一个经济活力萎靡的国家能保持其军事和政治的卓越地位。因此，这就意味着，我们公民，作为家长、社区领导、民选官员和商界领袖，都有一个角色要扮演。我们不能把它们留给那些穿制服保卫这个国家的人们——我们必须确保美国是建立在其优势之上的。（掌声）。

当我们建立这些增强我们力量的经济来源之时，我们必须做的第二件事就是构建和整合能力，它可以促进我们的利益和世界各地人民的共同利益结合在一起的进程。美国的武装力量正在适应时代而不断变化，而且你们的努力的力量也必须得到充实。我们需要外交官们新一轮的参与，从宏伟的首都到危险的哨所。我们需要开发专家来支持阿富汗农业和帮助非洲建立养活自己的能力。我们需要情报机构，与同行无缝运行拆散从巴基斯坦山区到我们城市街头的阴谋。我们需要法律的实施，来加强国外的司法系统，保护国内的我们。我们需要迅速行动的第一反应者，来应对地震、风暴和疾病。

这个世纪的重担不能只落在我们士兵的肩上，它也不能只落在我们美国人的肩上。我们的敌人很希望看到美国因过分扩张权利而损耗其力量。过去，我们总是很有远见，避免单独行动。“二战”期间，我们是人类历史上最强大的战时联盟成员。冷战期间，我们和自由的国家与机构组成联盟共渡难关，并最终取得了胜利。

是的，关于我们的国际体制的不足，我们看得很清。但是走出合作的潮流，美国不会成功——我们成功地掌舵通往自由和正义的潮流。因此，只要担负自己的职责，直面不想面对的后果，国家定会繁荣。

所以，我们必须塑造可以满足我们这一代的富有挑战的国际秩序。我们将坚定不移地加强与老盟友的关系，我们曾经很好合作过的，包括那些在阿富汗和世界各地与你们并肩作战的盟友。因为影响力拓展到了更多的国家和首都，我们也将建立新的伙伴关系，为建立更强的国际标准和制度而共同努力。

交战本身并不是目的。我们所寻求的国际秩序要能够解决我们这个时代的挑战——打击暴力极端主义和叛乱；停止核武器的扩散和确保核材料的安全；与变化的气候作斗争和维持全球增长；帮助国家养活自己和照顾病者；防止冲突和治愈伤患。如果我们成功地完成了这些任务，世界各地的冲突将会减少。它也将支持我们军队努力来确保我们国家的安全。

更重要的是，我们的成功是一个国家的成功，而得到我们所面临挑战的本质能力比以往任何时候都更重要。我们破坏、瓦解和击败基地组织活动正是必要而公正的国际努力的一部分。

但是，这是一种不同的战争。没有简单的投降的时刻来纪念战争的结束——没有停战协议，没有通栏标题。尽管跟最近几年相比，我们最近几个月在消除基地组织头目方面取得了更多的成功，但是他们将会继续招募和策划，破坏我们开放的社会。我们看到，在喀布尔和卡拉奇的炸弹爆炸，在底特律上空他们企图炸毁一架客机，还有时代广场上的一辆SUV。这些失败的袭击显示，来自网络的压力正挤压像基地组织一样的恐怖分子，使他们搞破坏的时间和空间越来越少。我们在基地组织对伊斯兰教的严重扭曲中，在他们不尊重人类生命、试图捕食恐惧、仇恨和偏见中，看到了这场斗争潜在的持续时间。

尽管这种威胁不会很快结束，但我们清楚：基地组织和它的下属都是站在历史错误一边的小人。他们没有国家，没有信仰。面对恐怖分子的一次次恐吓，我们无需屈服于恐惧。我们不应该抛弃我们的自由，因为极端分子试图利用它们。我们不能屈服于分裂，因为其他人正试图把我们分割开。我们是美利坚合众国。（掌声）

我们是美利坚合众国，我们已经修复了我们的联盟，打倒了法西斯主义。我们经历了动荡，我们经历了内战，我们已经变得更强——我们将会再次这样做。（掌声）。

这是真实的，因为我看到了美国人民的力量和韧性。恐怖分子想吓唬我们。纽约人对他们的生活已经无所畏惧。（掌声）极端分子想要美国与伊斯兰教之间发生战争，但是穆斯林是我们国家生活的一部分，其中就有在我们美国军队中服役的军人。（掌声）敌人想分裂我们，而我们因为有你们的支持而联合起来——士兵们散发出一个明确的信息，这个国家既是自由之地，也是勇士之家。（掌声）

我们知道，在瞬间能获取信息的时代，新闻中大量的冷嘲热讽，如潮的图片和政治辩论的旋涡，很容易让人们失去判断。战争和伟大的计划一直以来会被认为，要么是赢，要么是输。就像我们头脑中所具有的形象——痛苦的孩子或高傲的独裁者的吹嘘。有时这很容易让人相信，人类的进步已经停滞——那些事件我们无法掌控，但变化是不可能的。

然而，我们的国家是建立在一个不同的概念之上。我们相信，“人人生而平等，造物主赋予他们若干不可剥夺的权利，其中包括生命权、自由权和追求幸福的权利。”（掌声）这个真理与我们同在，一个国家居住着来自世界各地的人们，他们吃苦耐劳，努力成就作为一个人的伟大。这个信仰，今天和200年前同样的正确，并被世界的每个地区、不同种族和宗教的人们所接受。有人怀疑这个信念将会少些真实——少些威力吗？——从现在起两年，20年，甚至两个世纪？

所以，我们安全战略的一个基本部分需要美国的支持来实现这些普遍的权利，而这又是我们建国的信条。我们将首先通过践行来提高它们的价值——通过我们对法律和宪法的忠诚，即使在困难的条件下；即使当我们受到攻击、处在战争之中时。

我们将永远投身于追求一个更加完美的联邦过程中。和我们的朋友与盟友一起，美国将致力于在世界范围内扩展这些权利，当语言被迫缄默，我们的目标就是她的声音。当思想被抑制，我们提供公开辩论的空间。民主制度在哪里扎根，我们就为它添加一缕清风。人道主义遇到灾难打击，我们就帮一把手。在人类尊严被否认的地方，美国反对其贫困，美国就是机会的源泉。这就是我们，这就是我们的所为。

我们这么做，不抱幻想。我们理解，改变不会很快来到；我们理解，无论是美国还是其他任何国家，都不能对超出其国界的结果予以支配。我们知道，世间的男男女女总有一些无法摆脱压迫或邪恶的时候。我们能做的，我们必须做的，是工作和达到目标，为我们所寻求的世界而斗争——我们所有的人，包括穿制服的和没穿的我们。

在为今天的准备中，我转向世界——想起了奥利弗·温德尔·霍姆斯的话。他在回忆内战经历时说的，我引用如下：“打赢一场战争，你必须相信某些东西，想要做些什么去得到它，所以你必须奇招尽出到最后，这样的过程才有价值。”霍姆斯还说，“更重要的是，你必须愿意投身到一个过程中去，也许这个过程漫长而艰难，而且预见不到结果会在哪里出现。”

美国并不是为了战斗而战斗。我们厌恶战争。作为一个从未经历过战场作战的人，我谦卑地知道麦克阿瑟将军曾经说过的话：“士兵比所有的人都愿意向上帝祈求和平！”——我们战斗，因为我们必须战斗。我们为保护我们的家庭和社区的安全而战斗。我们为盟友和伙伴的安全而战斗，因为美国相信，当我们的朋友是安全的我们才会更安全，当世界更公正的时候，我们才会更强大。

所以，学员们，一条漫长而艰难的道路在等着你们。你们出国，因为你们的服务是我们安全回家的基础；你们出国，代表的是建立美国所依据的价值观。当你们不可避免地面临挫折时——当战斗很激烈或遇到可怕的“村庄长老”时；当直到最后你所追求的仍不确定时——就想想我们的西点军校。

在这里，在这个和平的世界一角，你们训练过，你们学习过，并追随伟人的脚步成长——他们是那些面临时代考验的美国人，即使在胜利中他们也无法预见要去建立的美国，也无法预见要去塑造的世界。

乔治·华盛顿能够帮一群爱国者从帝国的统治中获得自由，但他没有预见到他的国家现在有50个州连接两个大洋。

格兰特能够拯救一个联盟，能够看到奴隶们获得自由，但他没有预见到他的国家会给予任何肤色的公民那么多的完整权利和机会。

艾森豪威尔看到了德国投降，前敌人成长为一个盟友，但他没有预见到柏林墙倒塌却没费一枪一弹。

今天，你们这一代担负起了重负——士兵，这个学院的毕业生像约翰·迈耶和格雷格·安布罗西亚，他们冒着敌人的炮火，保护部队，执行任务，赢得军队和充满感激的国家的表彰。

从我们存在之初，美国就有一个对未来的信念——未来要比现在和过去更好，即使前方的道路并不确定。为了实现这个目标，一代又一代的美国人前仆后继——寻找机会，对抗不公，锻造一个更加完美的联邦。没有“西点军魂”我们将不可能有所成就，为责任，为荣誉，为国家做出牺牲。（掌声）

多年以后，当你们重新回到这里，那时你们也已年长，我确信，你们会将自己的名字载入史册。我确信，我们定会在我们时代的战争中获胜。我确信，你们身后将是一个更强大的美国，一个更公正的世界，因为我们是美国人，我们的命运不是别人为我们而写，而是由我们来书写的，我们已经为再次领先做好了准备。

感谢你们，愿上帝保佑你们。愿上帝保佑美利坚合众国。（掌声）

附：英文原文

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Please be seated. Thank you very much. Good morning.

It is wonderful to be back at the United States Military Academy — the oldest continuously occupied military post in America — as we commission the newest officers in the United States Army.

Thank you, General Hagenbeck, for your introduction, on a day that holds special meaning for you and the Dean, General Finnegan. Both of you first came to West Point in the Class of 1971 and went on to inspire soldiers under your command. You've led this Academy to a well-deserved recognition: best college in America. (Applause.) And today, you're both looking forward to a well-deserved retirement from the Army. General Hagenbeck and Judy, General Finnegan and Joan, we thank you for 39 years of remarkable service to the Army and to America. (Applause.)

To the Commandant, General Rapp, the Academy staff and faculty, most of whom are veterans, thank you for your service and for inspiring these cadets to become the“leaders of character”they are today. (Applause.)

Let me also acknowledge the presence of General Shinseki, Secretary McHugh, the members of Congress who are with us here today, including two former soldiers this Academy knows well, Senator Jack Reed and Congressman Patrick Murphy. (Applause.)

To all the families here — especially all the moms and dads — this day is a tribute to you as well. The decision to come to West Point was made by your sons and daughters, but it was you who instilled in them a spirit of service that has led them to this hallowed place in a time of war. So on behalf of the American people, thank you for your example and thank you for your patriotism. (Applause.)

To the United States Corps of Cadets, and most of all, the Class of 2010 — it is a singular honor to serve as your Commander-in-Chief. As your Superintendent indicated, under our constitutional system my power as President is wisely limited. But there are some areas where my power is absolute. And so, as your Commander-in-Chief, I hereby absolve all cadets who are on restriction for minor conduct offenses. (Applause.) I will leave the definition of“minor”— (laughter)— to those who know better. (Laughter.)

Class of 2010, today is your day — a day to celebrate all that you've achieved, in the finest tradition of the soldier-scholar, and to look forward to the important service that lies ahead.

You have pushed yourself through the agony of Beast Barracks, the weeks of training in rain and mud, and, I'm told, more inspections and drills than perhaps any class before you. Along the way, I'm sure you faced a few moments when you asked yourself:“What am I doing here?” I have those moments sometimes. (Laughter.)

You've trained for the complexities of today's missions, knowing that success will be measured not merely by performance on the battlefield, but also by your understanding of the cultures and traditions and languages in the place where you serve.

You've reached out across borders, with more international experience than any class in Academy history. You've not only attended foreign academies to forge new friendships, you've welcomed into your ranks cadets from nearly a dozen countries.

You've challenged yourself intellectually in the sciences and the humanities, in history and technology. You've achieved a standard of academic excellence that is without question, tying the record for the most post-graduate scholarships of any class in West Point history. (Applause.)

This includes your number one overall cadet and your valedictorian — Liz Betterbed and Alex Rosenberg. And by the way, this is the first time in Academy history where your two top awards have been earned by female candidates. (Applause.)

This underscores a fact that I've seen in the faces of our troops from Baghdad to Bagram — in the 21st century, our women in uniform play an indispensable role in our national defense. And time and again, they have proven themselves to be role models for our daughters and our sons — as students and as soldiers and as leaders in the United States armed forces.

And the faces in this stadium show a simple truth: America's Army represents the full breadth of America's experience. You come from every corner of our country — from privilege and from poverty, from cities and small towns. You worship all of the great religions that enrich the life of our people. You include the vast diversity of race and ethnicity that is fundamental to our nation's strength.

There is, however, one thing that sets you apart. Here in these quiet hills, you've come together to prepare for the most difficult test of our time. You signed up knowing your service would send you into harm's way, and you did so long after the first drums of war were sounded. In you we see the commitment of our country, and timeless virtues that have served our nation well.

We see your sense of duty — including those who have earned their right shoulder patch — their right shoulder combat patches, like the soldier who suffered a grenade wound in Iraq, yet still helped his fellow soldiers to evacuate— your First Captain of the Corps of Cadets, Tyler Gordy. (Applause.)

We see your sense of honor — in your respect for tradition, knowing that you join a Long Grey Line that stretches through the centuries; and in your reverence for each other, as when the Corps stands in silence every time a former cadet makes the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. Indeed, today we honor the 78 graduates of this Academy who have given their lives for our freedom and our security in Iraq and Afghanistan.

And we see your love of country — a devotion to America captured in the motto you chose as a class, a motto which will guide your lives of service:“Loyal 'Til the End.”Duty. Honor. Love of country. Everything you have learned here, all that you've achieved here, has prepared you for today — when you raise your right hand; when you take that oath; when your loved one or mentor pins those gold bars on your shoulders; when you become, at long last, commissioned officers in the United States Army.

This is the ninth consecutive commencement that has taken place at West Point with our nation at war. This time of war began in Afghanistan — a place that may seem as far away from this peaceful bend in the Hudson River as anywhere on Earth. The war began only because our own cities and civilians were attacked by violent extremists who plotted from a distant place, and it continues only because that plotting persists to this day.

For many years, our focus was on Iraq. And year after year, our troops faced a set of challenges there that were as daunting as they were complex. A lesser Army might have seen its spirit broken. But the American military is more resilient than that. Our troops adapted, they persisted, they partnered with coalition and Iraqi counterparts, and through their competence and creativity and courage, we are poised to end our combat mission in Iraq this summer. (Applause.)

Even as we transition to an Iraqi lead and bring our troops home, our commitment to the Iraqi people endures. We will continue to advise and assist Iraqi security forces, who are already responsible for security in most of the country. And a strong American civilian presence will help Iraqis forge political and economic progress. This will not be a simple task, but this is what success looks like: an Iraq that provides no haven to terrorists; a democratic Iraq that is sovereign and stable and self-reliant.

And as we end the war in Iraq, though, we are pressing forward in Afghanistan. Six months ago, I came to West Point to announce a new strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan. And I stand here humbled by the knowledge that many of you will soon be serving in harm's way. I assure you, you will go with the full support of a proud and grateful nation.

We face a tough fight in Afghanistan. Any insurgency that is confronted with a direct challenge will turn to new tactics. And from Marja to Kandahar, that is what the Taliban has done through assassination and indiscriminate killing and intimidation. Moreover, any country that has known decades of war will be tested in finding political solutions to its problems, and providing governance that can sustain progress and serve the needs of its people.

So this war has changed over the last nine years, but it's no less important than it was in those days after 9/11. We toppled the Taliban regime — now we must break the momentum of a Taliban insurgency and train Afghan security forces. We have supported the election of a sovereign government — now we must strengthen its capacities. We've brought hope to the Afghan people — now we must see that their country does not fall prey to our common enemies. Cadets, there will be difficult days ahead. We will adapt, we will persist, and I have no doubt that together with our Afghan and international partners, we will succeed in Afghanistan. (Applause.)

Now even as we fight the wars in front of us, we also have to see the horizon beyond these wars — because unlike a terrorist whose goal is to destroy, our future will be defined by what we build. We have to see that horizon, and to get there we must pursue a strategy of national renewal and global leadership. We have to build the sources of America's strength and influence, and shape a world that's more peaceful and more prosperous.

Time and again, Americans have risen to meet and to shape moments of change. This is one of those moments — an era of economic transformation and individual empowerment; of ancient hatreds and new dangers; of emerging powers and new global challenges. And we're going to need all of you to help meet these challenges. You've answered the call. You, and all who wear America's uniform, remain the cornerstone of our national defense, the anchor of global security. And through a period when too many of our institutions have acted irresponsibly, the American military has set a standard of service and sacrifice that is as great as any in this nation's history. (Applause.)

Now the rest of us — the rest of us must do our part. And to do so, we must first recognize that our strength and influence abroad begins with steps we take at home. We must educate our children to compete in an age where knowledge is capital, and the marketplace is global. We must develop clean energy that can power new industry and unbound us from foreign oil and preserve our planet. We have to pursue science and research that unlocks wonders as unforeseen to us today as the microchip and the surface of the moon were a century ago.

Simply put, American innovation must be the foundation of American power —because at no time in human history has a nation of diminished economic vitality maintained its military and political primacy. And so that means that the civilians among us, as parents and community leaders, elected officials, business leaders, we have a role to play. We cannot leave it to those in uniform to defend this country —we have to make sure that America is building on its strengths. (Applause.)

As we build these economic sources of our strength, the second thing we must do is build and integrate the capabilities that can advance our interests, and the common interests of human beings around the world. America's armed forces are adapting to changing times, but your efforts have to be complemented. We will need the renewed engagement of our diplomats, from grand capitals to dangerous outposts. We need development experts who can support Afghan agriculture and help Africans build the capacity to feed themselves. We need intelligence agencies that work seamlessly with their counterparts to unravel plots that run from the mountains of Pakistan to the streets of our cities. We need law enforcement that can strengthen judicial systems abroad, and protect us here at home. And we need first responders who can act swiftly in the event of earthquakes and storms and disease.

The burdens of this century cannot fall on our soldiers alone. It also cannot fall on American shoulders alone. Our adversaries would like to see America sap its strength by overextending our power. And in the past, we've always had the foresight to avoid acting alone. We were part of the most powerful wartime coalition in human history through World War II. We stitched together a community of free nations and institutions to endure and ultimately prevail during a Cold War.

Yes, we are clear-eyed about the shortfalls of our international system. But America has not succeeded by stepping out of the currents of cooperation — we have succeeded by steering those currents in the direction of liberty and justice, so nations thrive by meeting their responsibilities and face consequences when they don't.

So we have to shape an international order that can meet the challenges of our generation. We will be steadfast in strengthening those old alliances that have served us so well, including those who will serve by your side in Afghanistan and around the globe. As influence extends to more countries and capitals, we also have to build new partnerships, and shape stronger international standards and institutions.

This engagement is not an end in itself. The international order we seek is one that can resolve the challenges of our times — countering violent extremism and insurgency; stopping the spread of nuclear weapons and securing nuclear materials; combating a changing climate and sustaining global growth; helping countries feed themselves and care for their sick; preventing conflict and healing wounds. If we are successful in these tasks, that will lessen conflicts around the world. It will be supportive of our efforts by our military to secure our country.

More than anything else, though, our success will be claimed by who we are as a country. This is more important than ever, given the nature of the challenges that we face. Our campaign to disrupt, dismantle, and to defeat al Qaeda is part of an international effort that is necessary and just.

But this is a different kind of war. There will be no simple moment of surrender to mark the journey's end — no armistice, no banner headline. Though we have had more success in eliminating al Qaeda leaders in recent months than in recent years, they will continue to recruit, and plot, and exploit our open society. We see that in bombs that go off in Kabul and Karachi. We see it in attempts to blow up an airliner over Detroit or an SUV in Times Square, even as these failed attacks show that pressure on networks like al Qaeda is forcing them to rely on terrorists with less time and space to train. We see the potential duration of this struggle in al Qaeda's gross distortions of Islam, their disrespect for human life, and their attempt to prey upon fear and hatred and prejudice.

So the threat will not go away soon, but let's be clear: Al Qaeda and its affiliates are small men on the wrong side of history. They lead no nation. They lead no religion. We need not give in to fear every time a terrorist tries to scare us. We should not discard our freedoms because extremists try to exploit them. We cannot succumb to division because others try to drive us apart. We are the United States of America. (Applause.) We are the United States of America, and we have repaired our union, and faced down fascism. We've gone through turmoil, we've gone through Civil War, and we have come out stronger — and we will do so once more. (Applause.)

And I know this to be true because I see the strength and resilience of the American people. Terrorists want to scare us. New Yorkers just go about their lives unafraid. (Applause.) Extremists want a war between America and Islam, but Muslims are part of our national life, including those who serve in our United States Army. (Applause.) Adversaries want to divide us, but we are united by our support for you — soldiers who send a clear message that this country is both the land of the free and the home of the brave. (Applause.)

You know, in an age of instant access to information, a lot of cynicism in the news, it's easy to lose perspective in a flood of pictures and the swirl of political debate. Power and influence can seem to ebb and flow. Wars and grand plans can be deemed won or lost day to day, even hour to hour. As we experience the immediacy of the image of a suffering child or the boasts of a prideful dictator, it's easy to give in to the belief sometimes that human progress has stalled — that events are beyond our control, that change is not possible.

But this nation was founded upon a different notion. We believe, “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”(Applause.) And that truth has bound us together, a nation populated by people from around the globe, enduring hardship and achieving greatness as one people. And that belief is as true today as it was 200 years ago. It is a belief that has been claimed by people of every race and religion in every region of the world. Can anybody doubt that this belief will be any less true — any less powerful — two years, two decades, or even two centuries from now?

And so a fundamental part of our strategy for our security has to be America's support for those universal rights that formed the creed of our founding. And we will promote these values above all by living them — through our fidelity to the rule of law and our Constitution, even when it's hard; even when we're being attacked; even when we're in the midst of war.

And we will commit ourselves to forever pursuing a more perfect union. Together with our friends and allies, America will always seek a world that extends these rights so that when an individual is being silenced, we aim to be her voice. Where ideas are suppressed, we provide space for open debate. Where democratic institutions take hold, we add a wind at their back. When humanitarian disaster strikes, we extend a hand. Where human dignity is denied, America opposes poverty and is a source of opportunity. That is who we are. That is what we do.

We do so with no illusions. We understand change doesn't come quick. We understand that neither America nor any nation can dictate every outcome beyond its borders. We know that a world of mortal men and women will never be rid of oppression or evil. What we can do, what we must do, is work and reach and fight for the world that we seek — all of us, those in uniform and those who are not.

And in preparing for today, I turned to the world — to the words of Oliver Wendell Holmes. And reflecting on his Civil War experience, he said, and I quote, “To fight out a war you must believe in something and want something with all your might. So must you do to carry anything else to an end worth reaching.”Holmes went on, “More than that, you must be willing to commit yourself to a course, perhaps a long and hard one, without being able to foresee exactly where you will come out.”

America does not fight for the sake of fighting. We abhor war. As one who has never experienced the field of battle — and I say that with humility, knowing, as General MacArthur said, “the soldier above all others prays for peace”— we fight because we must. We fight to keep our families and communities safe. We fight for the security of our allies and partners, because America believes that we will be safer when our friends are safer; that we will be stronger when the world is more just.

So cadets, a long and hard road awaits you. You go abroad because your service is fundamental to our security back home. You go abroad as representatives of the values that this country was founded upon. And when you inevitably face setbacks— when the fighting is fierce or a village elder is fearful; when the end that you are seeking seems uncertain — think back to West Point.

Here, in this peaceful part of the world, you have drilled and you have studied and come of age in the footsteps of great men and women — Americans who faced times of trial, and who even in victory could not have foreseen the America they helped to build, the world they helped to shape.

George Washington was able to free a band of patriots from the rule of an empire, but he could not have foreseen his country growing to include 50 states connecting two oceans.

Grant was able to save a union and see the slaves freed, but he could not have foreseen just how much his country would extend full rights and opportunities to citizens of every color.

Eisenhower was able to see Germany surrender and a former enemy grow into an ally, but he could not have foreseen the Berlin Wall coming down without a shot being fired.

Today it is your generation that has borne a heavy burden — soldiers, graduates of this Academy like John Meyer and Greg Ambrosia who have braved enemy fire, protected their units, carried out their missions, earned the commendation of this Army, and of a grateful nation.

From the birth of our existence, America has had a faith in the future — a belief that where we're going is better than where we've been, even when the path ahead is uncertain. To fulfill that promise, generations of Americans have built upon the foundation of our forefathers — finding opportunity, fighting injustice, forging a more perfect union. Our achievement would not be possible without the Long Grey Line that has sacrificed for duty, for honor, for country. (Applause.)

And years from now when you return here, when for you the shadows have grown longer, I have no doubt that you will have added your name to the book of history. I have no doubt that we will have prevailed in the struggles of our times. I have no doubt that your legacy will be an America that has emerged stronger, and a world that is more just, because we are Americans, and our destiny is never written for us, it is written by us, and we are ready to lead once more.

Thank you. May God bless you. And may God bless the United States of America. (Applause.)