The U.S. Coast Guard Academy (CGA) held a virtual commencement ceremony for the class of 2020 yesterday due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The New London, Conn., CGA’s class of 2020 will be remembered for many things. It is the largest and most inclusive graduating class in the academy's history with more than 250 cadets. It also includes the largest number of female graduates in the academy's history, over 100. 2020 is also the 40th anniversary of the first women graduates at the academy. The class of 2020 became the first class to hold a virtual commencement ceremony due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Commencement day activities began at 1 p.m. yesterday with recorded congratulatory messages from a host of flag officers, elected officials and celebrities including TV weatherman and producer of the Coast Guard TV series Al Roker, as well as celebrated actors Gary Sinise and Kevin Costner, who referenced his portrayal of a Coast Guard swimmer in the film The Guardian.
The five international students from the class were also sent congratulatory messages from officials representing their respective home countries of Haiti, Mexico, the Philippines and the Federated States of Micronesia.
The official ceremony consisted of a combination of live streamed footage from the official party on Cadet Memorial Field at the academy, along with a mix of pre-recorded videos that closely followed the traditional run of past events. The event ended with recorded messages from the graduates to the rest of their classmates.
As the distinguished honor graduate, Ens. Alaric Stone gave an address that touched on the successes of his classmates despite the unprecedented circumstances they found themselves in and the bonds that hold them together. "It is a testament to our resilience in the face of adversity and our ability to take failure in our stride," Stone said. "With 2020 vision we've been able to look beyond hardship and see what is truly important. Each other. Through trials and tribulations both big and small we have always remained a team. A family."
In his remarks Rear Adm. Bill Kelly, the Coast Guard Academy's superintendent, reminded the audience of the inclusive nature of the class. "This year we graduate the largest number of African Americans, Native Americans and Alaska natives and we continue to graduate more Hispanic officers than ever before,” Kelly said.
“The hard work to be more representative of the nation we serve is paying dividends, and while the demographic profile of this class is the most diverse ever, its the perspective, the skills and abilities each and every graduate brings to the service that makes them uniquely qualified to serve and lead during these unprecedented times."
Standing on the stage alongside the official party at Cadet Memorial Field, Adm. Karl Schultz, commandant of the Coast Guard, made brief remarks before introducing a pre-recorded message from Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Gen. Milley told the graduates that as leaders they would be counted on during difficult circumstances.
"Honor, respect and devotion to duty,” said Milley. “These words can't be abstract to you. In our profession, you must develop a bond of trust like no other occupation in the world. You have to trust each other. You have to trust the chain of command. You have to trust the petty officers and the seamen, and they must trust you."
In his recorded remarks Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolfe welcomed the graduates into the Homeland Security team and reminded them what it takes to serve in the current environment.
"As frustrating as it may be, the unorthodox situation in which we find ourselves today is emblematic of what you will all find when you are on the front lines defending this country, and that is the need to be prepared for the unexpected," said Wolfe. "Put simply, life is going to look a lot different out there than it did inside your classrooms at the Academy, and that is why I expect you to always keep learning. It is the best way to prepare yourself for the challenges that lie ahead."
The ceremony is available for viewing at: https://youtu.be/LsMikBJGTSo
