President Obama may have had an unusually tough message on climate change for graduates at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, but commencement was still a day for celebration and reflection for the cadets themselves.
The sunshine of Cadet Memorial Field was the setting for a picture perfect graduation day for the 224 cadets of the class of 2015. They heard a hard-hitting message from President Barack Obama, who told them their generation of the service faces an urgent challenge, “one where our Coast Guardsmen are already on the front lines, and that perhaps more than any other will shape your entire careers,” he said.
Many of the cadets said the president's message on climate change touched themes they’ve thought about during their time at the Academy.
"I think he made a very good point: we’re in a very changing world, and it’s going to need the Coast Guard’s help," said Matthew Lara. "And I’m very proud myself to be part of this service."
After four rigorous years in New London, the class now disperses to ports all over the U.S.
Mary Hazen, the academy's first female Collegiate Boxing Champion, is looking forward to a career in engineering. “I’m going to Michigan to the Coast Guard Cutter the Mackinaw. I just want an adventure!” she said.
Looking on, Hazen’s father Neil said it’s also a momentous day for the families. “Just overwhelming emotions, of four years of unbelievable experience," he said. "Just so very proud of our daughter and the commitment she’s made to our country and to God, and just the person that she is,” he said.
And finally that moment, when the cadets become commissioned officers. Commandant of the Coast Guard, Admiral Paul Zukunft, reminded the class that they couldn't rest on their laurels for long.
"I need you out in the fleet, I need you on the flight line, I need you at our sectors," he told them. "You are about to become leaders on a team that frequently serves on all seven continents."
