Pence Tells Naval Academy Grads: Trump ‘Will Always Have Your Back’

By Jack Davi on May 26, 2017

Vice President Mike Pence told the 2017 graduates of the United States Naval Academy they are entering a new era as they begin their service to America.

“President Donald Trump and I will not rest, we will not relent until we rebuild our military, restore the arsenal of democracy, and ensure our soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and Coast Guard have all the resources that you need to accomplish your mission and come home safe,” Pence said. “That is our pledge to each of you.”

“Let me be clear — the era of budget cuts of the armed forces of the United States is over,” Pence said, referencing President Donald Trump’s proposed fiscal 2018 budget that increases defense spending by 9.8 percent.

Pence also told graduates that the Trump administration is there with more than money.

“And I’ll make you a promise, no matter where you’re called to serve, no matter what the mission, this commander-in-chief will always have your back,” Pence said at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, later calling Trump the “best friend the armed forces of the United States will ever have.”

Pence said the nation is grateful to the graduates who are stepping up to defend freedom.

Mattis: ‘We Must Never Permit Murderers To Define Our Time’

by Ryan Pickrell

05/27/2017

Secretary of Defense James Mattis delivered a powerful speech Saturday to the graduating class at West Point, warning them that terrorism must not become normal.

Earlier this week, the Islamic State (ISIS) claimed responsibility for a deadly attack in the United Kingdom. “We must never permit murderers to define our time or warp our sense of normal. This is not normal,” Mattis told 950 graduating cadets. “Manchester’s tragic loss underscores the purpose of your years of study and training at this elite school.”

ISIS also claimed fatal attacks in Indonesia and Egypt, and intense fighting between the military and ISIS-linked militants is destabilizing the southern Philippines. These tragedies come amidst a concentrated push to eliminate ISIS in Mosul and to rid countries like Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria of violent extremism.

More than 20 people perished in Manchester, three police officers lost their lives in Indonesia, and around 30 people were killed in Egypt. In the Philippines, police and civilians alike have been slaughtered.

“By the time this class was in first grade classrooms in every state across our union, our country had been thrust into a war by maniacs who thought that by hurting us, they could scare us,” Mattis explained, “Well, we don’t scare.”

“Nothing better represents America’s awesome determination to defend herself than this graduating class,” he added. “You will drive home a salient point that free men and women will volunteer to fight, ethically and fiercely, to defend our experiment that you and I call, simply, ‘America.’”

“We Americans are not made of cotton candy,” he said, evoking cheers from the crowds.

“You hold the line, faithful to duty, confronting our nation’s foes with implacable will,” he said, “Knowing that if there is a hill to climb, waiting will not make it any smaller.”

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