鲲鹏移民-美国不充当世界警察——特朗普在西点军校2020年毕业典礼上的演讲

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美国不充当世界警察——特朗普在西点军校2020年毕业典礼上的演讲

发表时间：2020-06-18 10:52:20

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本文译自白宫官网（6月13日）
英文标题：Remarks by President Trump at the 2020 United States Military Academy at West Point Graduation Ceremony

核心观点

这些伟大的领袖并不怕别人议论他们。他们不在乎。他们知道自己的责任是保护他们的国家。他们知道，军队的存在是为了维护共和国及其稳固的基础：家庭、上帝、国家、自由和正义。他们是真正的、不屈不挠的美国爱国者。这是我们国家所需要的，尤其是在这个时代，而你们就是这样的人。

你们每个人都在美国历史的关键时刻开始自己的军旅生涯。我们正在恢复美国的基本原则，即美国士兵的工作不是重建外国，而是保卫——并且坚决保卫——我们的国家不受外敌的侵犯。我们正在结束无休止的战争时代。取而代之的重新头脑清醒地致力于捍卫美国的关键利益。在遥远的异土解决许多人甚至从未听说过的古老冲突并不是美军的职责。我们不是世界警察。

但我们的敌人要听清楚：如果我们的人民受到威胁，我们将永远、永远毫不犹豫地采取行动。从现在开始，当我们战斗时，我们只会为了胜利而战斗。正如麦克阿瑟所说：“在战争中，胜利没有替代品。”

特朗普总统：谢谢你，将军，同学们好。我谨代表我们国家，向优秀的西点军校2020届毕业生表示祝贺。祝贺你。大家好好玩、玩得痛快，因为我们在这里庆祝你们的成就，伟大的成就。我们也要感谢你们杰出的主管达瑞尔·威廉姆斯将军出色的管理。将军，非常感谢。做得好。谢谢你。（掌声）

英语中没有几个词、历史上没有几处地方能像西点军校那样让人肃然起敬。这所一流的军事学院只造就精英中的精英、强者中的强者、勇士中的勇士。西点是美国人勇敢、忠诚、奉献、纪律和高超技能的普遍象征。世界上没有什么地方比和你们在一起更让我向往。这是我的荣幸。

这片神圣的土地涌现过许多最伟大、最可怕的士兵。他们是英雄，驾驶着轰隆隆的谢尔曼坦克纵队冲向邪恶帝国的心脏；他们是传奇，将美国大炮的狂怒倾泻到遥远岛屿和海岸的敌人身上。他们是巨人，大步穿过火炮的轰炸和骑兵的冲锋，透过灰色的烟雾和弹片盯着我们的敌人。他们是攀上陡峭悬崖的陆军游骑兵，他们是在黑夜播散正义的空降兵；它的出现意味着解放在即；这支强大的力量把胆战心惊的暴君、恐怖分子和残忍的怪物送入地狱。世界上没有任何邪恶力量能够敌得过美国战士的崇高力量和正义荣耀。

我毫不怀疑，今天我眼前的年轻男女，将把你们的姓名写入美国英雄的永恒编年史中。你们将离开这个地方，带着同胞的爱慕、敌人的惧怕以及全世界的尊敬。有一天，西点军校未来的几代学生将学习你们的遗产。他们会知道你的事迹，他们会庆祝你的胜利，他们会自豪地追随你们的榜样。

今天，1107位毕业生将成为这支最杰出的军队的新军官，我在这里向你们献上美国式的致敬。感谢你们响应了国家的号召。

在这个特殊的时刻，我们高兴地邀请到国会议员史蒂夫·沃马克、陆军部长瑞安·麦卡锡、助理国务卿凯西·沃登斯基和陆军参谋长、1981届的老毕业生詹姆斯·麦康维尔将军。

让我们也向柯蒂斯·巴扎德将军、辛迪·杰布将军以及所有优秀的教师、教练和教职工表示感谢，他们传承着西点军校两个世纪以来无与伦比的优秀传统。

我想对在家中观看这次典礼的所有父母、祖父母和家人说：虽然你们今天不能来到现场，但我们知道，如果没有你们的培养，这一天是不会到来的。你们的爱和牺牲给美国造就了这些杰出人才。同学们，请和我一起向你们的父母和家人表达衷心的感谢，这是他们应得的。他们现在都在观看。（掌声）非常感谢。

军队对我们社会的贡献又深又广，这永远激励着我们。我想借此机会感谢美国武装部队各分支的全体成员——现役、国民警卫队和预备役——他们挺身而出，帮助抗击“看不见的敌人”（此处删掉一句话，可参照原文）。我们要消灭这个病毒，我们要消灭这场瘟疫。

我还要感谢国民警卫队的全体成员，他们准确应对了近来如此多的挑战：从飓风和自然灾害，到确保和平、安全，以及我们的街道上的宪法法治。我们感谢每一位身着军装、为国效力的公民。

毕业班的成员来自我们国家的每一个州。你们来自农场和城市，来自大大小小的州，种族、宗教、肤色和信仰各有不同。但当你们来到这个地方，你们就成为一个团队、一个家庭的一员，自豪地为一个伟大的美国国家服务。你们成为了兄弟姐妹，宣誓效忠于同样的永恒原则，为了共同的使命团结在一起：保护我们的国家，保卫我们的人民，继续自由和平等的传统，这个自由是是许多人用生命换来的。为了共同的国家目标，超越一切分歧、实现真正的团结，你们是我们的榜样。今天，你们作为一个班级毕业，你们代表着一个崇高的信条：责任、荣誉和国家。

你们每个毕业生几乎都可以去任何你想去的一流大学。你们选择了将你们的生命奉献给保卫美国。你们来到西点军校，因为你们知道这样一个事实：美国是人类历史上最伟大的国家，美国的军队是世界有史以来最强大的维护和平与正义的力量。

美国的生存和文明本身的持久存续，依赖于像你们这样的人。它取决于那些精力充沛、全心全意爱自己国家的人们。它依赖于建立、维持、培养和保卫这样的机构的公民；社会就是这样形成的，进步就是这样推进的。从历史上看，美国的独特之处在于，它的制度在面对一时的激情和偏见时能够经久不衰。时代动荡之际，道路坎坷曲折之时，最重要的是知道：什么是永久的，永恒的，持久的，不朽的。

正是在这片土地上，美国的爱国者守住了独立战争中最重要的堡垒。正是这所学校贡献给我们这些人，他们打赢了一场血腥的战争，废除了邪恶的奴隶制。75年前，正是西点军校的毕业生——像麦克阿瑟、巴顿、艾森豪威尔和布拉德利这样的伟人——带领美国战胜了邪恶的纳粹和帝国主义法西斯。正是在传奇人物马修·李奇微等西点军校毕业生的领导下，美国军队走在了结束种族隔离制度的前列。（此处删掉一句话）正是因为有了你们这样的爱国者，美国才能攀登到人类成就和国家努力的新高度。

这是你们的历史。这是你们每个人所继承的遗产。这是美国人在“小圆顶”战场，在诺曼底猩红色的海滩，在巴斯托涅冰冷的泥浆，在越南茂密的丛林，用鲜血换来的遗产。这是勇敢、无私、忠诚的爱国者留下的遗产，他们为争夺每一寸土地，拼尽了全部的力量和勇气。

他们这样做是，因为他们相信我们永恒的建国原则。他们这样做，是因为他们珍视自己的家园、信仰、家庭和国旗。他们这样做，是因为当他们来到这所学校时，他们被教导要坚持对我们国家的爱；珍惜我们的遗产、从中学习，并在此基础上发展。这就是西点军校的年轻美国人所接受的教育。这是你们作为美国陆军少尉继承下来的遗产，你们永远不能忘记。

在这漫长的四年中，你们磨练了自己的技能，训练了自己的思想和身体，克服了每一个障碍，在“长灰线”（注：西点毕业生和全体学员的连续体）上赢得了自己的骄傲。你通过了R-Day和Beast的艰苦训练、CLDT的高强度练习，以及数周的酷暑训练。你们已经把自己逼得远远超过了所有可以想象的极限。

你们中的一些人甚至把极限推的有点过了。因此，作为总司令，对于任何还没有完成休假的学员，我在此免除对他们的轻罪限制，这一规定立即生效。祝贺你们。（掌声）这是个好主意，是不是？你现在感觉好点了吗？（笑声）

从47个月的经历中幸存下来绝非易事，但只有2020届的人才能说它幸存了48个月。说到炫耀的权利，没有人比那些让海军14年的足球连胜戛然而止的学员更值得夸耀了。你们做到了。我碰巧在那儿。（掌声）我碰巧也在那里。没错。那是重要的一天。我在那里。你们打败了海军，连续两年把总司令的奖杯带回西点。所以我们说，“去吧，军队，去吧。”

这届毕业班为“黑骑士队”赢得了1000多场胜利，其中包括三场碗赛的胜利，13场NCAA球队比赛，还有一场女子橄榄球锦标赛，其中有一位我刚认识的人帮了大忙：他就是2019年最有价值球员萨姆·沙利文。做得真棒。谢谢你。做得真棒。（掌声）五名学员获得了全国拳击冠军，艾达亚·奎恩获得了两次。布伦丹·布朗获得了全国举重冠军。

在学术方面，有38名学员获得了继续深造的奖学金，其中包括头号船长戴恩·范·德沃尔，他获得了学术界最负盛名的奖项之一：罗德奖学金。祝贺你，戴恩。这是一个伟大的成就。谢谢你。祝贺你。（掌声）伟大的成就。

但是，没有人能像林迪·摩拉第安那样树立军人学者的价值观。林迪的综合成绩和物理课程成绩都是最高的。她在著名期刊上发表了科学研究，并在田径领域创造了五项新纪录。林迪，令人难以置信的工作。林迪在哪里？林迪舞在哪里？（掌声）对这么优秀的人，他们没有给你安排一个很好的座位，林迪。（笑声）我们必须谈谈这件事。祝贺你。

现在，美国需要你们这样的毕业生，遵循着这样的座右铭：“我们靠远见领导。”我们需要你们发扬伟大的尤利西斯·格兰特将军的精神。在担任总指挥后不久，在联邦经历了三年的挫折后，格兰特将军在荒野之战中遇到了一个向北前往华盛顿的人：“如果你见到总统”，格兰特说，“请转告他，无论发生什么，都要回头。”

我们需要你们像巴顿一样有远见，1917年，作为一个年轻人，他成为第一个分配到陆军坦克部队的士兵。工作一个月后，他看到了未来，他写道：“如果抵抗被打破，防线被攻破，坦克就必须并且将扮演追击骑兵的角色，把敌人赶入死亡。”在巴顿的领导下，他们确实做到了。

我们需要你们像不朽的麦克阿瑟将军一样勇敢和坚定，他知道美国士兵永远不会放弃。1942年，在太平洋战争的低谷时期，麦克阿瑟离开菲律宾前往澳大利亚，他立下了著名的誓言：“我会回来的。”在两年的时间里，他冒着巨大的战略风险，经常置自己于险境。1944年10月20日，麦克阿瑟从一艘登陆艇上走下来，跨过齐膝的水面，宣布：“菲律宾人民，我回来了。在全能上帝的恩典下，我们的军队再次站在菲律宾的土地上。”随后，他号召岛上勇敢的人民起来参加战斗。美国势不可挡。

这些伟大的领袖并不害怕别人议论他们。他们不在乎。他们知道自己的责任是保护他们的国家。他们知道，军队的存在是为了维护共和国及其稳固的基础：家庭、上帝、国家、自由和正义。他们是真正的、不屈不挠的美国爱国者。这是我们国家所需要的，尤其是在这个时代，而你们就是这样的人。

为了确保你们拥有可用的最好的装备和技术，我的政府已经着手大规模重建美国军队，这是史无前例的。经过多年毁灭性的预算削减，加之军队被无休止的战争消耗殆尽，我们已经投入了超过2万亿美元；这是迄今为止地球上最强大的战斗力量。我们正在建造数以百计的新船只、轰炸机、喷气式战斗机和直升机；新的坦克、军事卫星、火箭和导弹；高超音速导弹的速度比目前世界上最快的导弹快17倍，即使如此也能击中1000英里外的目标，距离中点不到14英寸。

70年来，我们第一次建立了美国军队的一个新分支：太空部队。这是一件大事。

近年来，美国的战士们清楚地表明了：威胁美国人民需要支付极其高昂代价。在特朗普政府的领导下，野蛮的ISIS哈里发已被彻底摧毁，其野蛮的领导人巴格达迪已经消失、被击毙。世界头号恐怖分子苏莱曼尼也死了。

作为总司令，我永远也不会忘记我们要求军人们所作的巨大牺牲。你已经体会到了失去兄弟的巨大痛苦。今天，我们缅怀一位在去年的事故中牺牲的杰出学员：C.J.摩根。他的父亲克里斯托弗·摩根也来到了我们中间，我们深受感动。C.J.是个很特别的人。克里斯托弗是一名特勤局特工。（C.J.是）一个硬汉。伟大的人。伟大的儿子，他现在正俯望我们。克里斯托弗，我想让你知道，我们会在心中永远缅怀C.J.。非常感谢。（掌声）谢谢。

明天，美国将庆祝一个非常重要的纪念日：美国陆军245岁生日。说句不相干的，明天也是我的生日。（笑声）我不知道这是不是巧合。请问那是巧合吗？但这是伟大的一天，因为是军队的生日。

正如你们所知，美国陆军第一任总司令华盛顿将军称这个巍峨的堡垒为“美国最重要的位置。”它在哈德逊河上的战略位置对我们的独立战争至关重要。如果英国船只控制了这条河，他们会把我们这个年轻的国家一分为二。因此，美国士兵们在哈德逊河上布置了一条巨大的金属锁链，从西点一直延伸到宪法岛。我看到了那条锁链的一部分。这是不可思议的。敌人的船甚至都不敢过河。这条巨大铁链的每一环都是用一百多磅纯美国铁炼成的，从美国的土地上开采，以美国的骄傲制造出来的。这些链条一起构成了一道牢不可破的防线。

两个多世纪后，站在你们面前，我比以往任何时候都更清楚地看到，华盛顿仍然是正确的。西点军校仍然是美国不可缺少的阵地，绝对不能输。我们国家的生存仍然依赖于从这里延伸出来的伟大链条——这链条不是用铁铸成的，而是用血肉之躯、记忆和精神、纯粹的信念和不屈的勇气铸成的。

今天，你们每个人都成为这条牢不可破的链条中的另一环，在被称为地球上最伟大的美国军事学院的熔炉中锻造。它给了你们可以依靠的士兵。现在，我们把任何一个勇士都有幸完成的最崇高的任务托付给你们：保护美国的自由。

只要你们保持忠诚、信实和真实，那么我们的敌人就没有机会，我们的权利就不会被窃取，我们的自由就不会被践踏，我们的命运就不会被剥夺，美利坚合众国就永远不会被打败。凭借上帝的恩宠和西点军校的英雄们，美国将永远得胜。没有什么能阻挡你们，没有什么能阻拦你们，也没有什么能阻止西点2020届毕业生取得真正持久的胜利。

愿上帝保佑你们。上帝保佑美国军队。愿上帝保佑美国。祝贺你们。非常感谢。谢谢。（掌声）

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, General, and hello cadets. On behalf of our entire nation, let me say congratulations to the incredible West Point Class of 2020. Congratulations. Everyone have a good time, enjoy yourselves, because we are here to celebrate your achievements, and great achievements they are. Let us also recognize your remarkable Superintendent, General Darryl Williams, for his outstanding stewardship. General, thank you very much. Great job. Thank you. (Applause.)

Few words in the English language and few places in history have commanded as much awe and admiration as West Point. This premier military academy produces only the best of the best, the strongest of the strong, and the bravest of the brave. West Point is a universal symbol of American gallantry, loyalty, devotion, discipline, and great skill. There is no place on Earth I would rather be than right here with all of you. It’s a great honor.

Across this hallowed plain have passed many of the greatest and most fearsome soldiers that ever lived. They were heroes who drove thundering columns of Sherman tanks into the heart of a wicked empire. They were legends who unleashed the fury of American artillery upon our enemies on remote islands and distant shores. They were titans who strode through cannon blast and cavalry charge, and stared down our foes through gray clouds of smoke and shrapnel. They were the Army Rangers who led the way up jagged cliffs, the Airborne soldiers who rained down justice in the dark of night, the infantry whose very sight meant liberation was near, and the mighty forces who sent tyrants, terrorists, and sadistic monsters running scared through the gates of hell. No evil force on Earth can match the noble power and righteous glory of the American warrior.

I have no doubt that the young men and women before me today will add your names to this eternal chronicle of American heroes. You will go forth from this place adored by your countrymen, dreaded by your enemies, and respected by all throughout the world. Someday, generations of future West Point cadets will study your legacy. They will know your deeds, they will celebrate your triumphs, and they will proudly follow your example.

To the 1,107 who today become the newest officers in the most exceptional Army ever to take the field of battle, I am here to offer America’s salute. Thank you for answering your nation’s call.

On this special occasion, we are delighted to be joined by Congressman Steve Womack, Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy, Assistant Secretary Casey Wardynski, and Army Chief of Staff General James McConville, an old grad from the class of 1981.

Let’s also express our appreciation to General Curtis Buzzard, General Cindy Jebb, and all of the wonderful instructors, coaches, and faculty members who are continuing West Point’s two-century tradition of unrivaled excellence.

To all of the parents, grandparents, and family members watching this ceremony from your beautiful home: Even though you could not be here today, we know this day could never have happened without you. Your love and sacrifice have given America these phenomenal men and women. Cadets, please join me in sending your parents and families the heartfelt thanks that they so richly deserved. They’re all watching right now. Please. (Applause.) Thank you very much.

The depth and breadth of the U.S. Military’s contributions to our society are an everlasting inspiration to us all. I want to take this opportunity to thank all members of America’s Armed Forces in every branch — active duty, National Guard, and reserve — who stepped forward to help battle the invisible enemy — the new virus that came to our shores from a distant land called China. We will vanquish the virus. We will extinguish this plague.

I also want to thank the men and women of our National Guard who respond with precision to so many recent challenges, from hurricanes and natural disasters, to ensuring peace, safety, and the constitutional rule of law on our streets. We thank every citizen who wears a uniform in selfless service to our nation.

The members of this class have come from every state in our union. You have come from the farms and the cities, from states big and small, and from every race, religion, color, and creed. But when you entered these grounds, you became part of one team, one family, proudly serving one great American nation. You became brothers and sisters pledging allegiance to the same timeless principles, joined together in a common mission to protect our country, to defend our people, and to carry on the traditions of freedom, equality, and liberty that so many gave their lives to secure. You exemplify the power of shared national purpose to transcend all differences and achieve true unity. Today, you graduate as one class, and you embody one noble creed: Duty, Honor, Country.

Every graduate on this field could have gone to virtually any top-ranked university that you wanted. You chose to devote your life to the defense of America. You came to West Point because you know the truth: America is the greatest country in human history, and the United States Military is the greatest force for peace and justice the world has ever known.

The survival of America and the endurance of civilization itself depends on the men and women just like each of you. It depends on people who love their country with all their heart and energy and soul. It depends on citizens who build, sustain, nurture, and defend institutions like this one; that is how societies are made and how progress is advanced. What has historically made America unique is the durability of its institutions against the passions and prejudices of the moment. When times are turbulent, when the road is rough, what matters most is that which is permanent, timeless, enduring, and eternal.

It was on this soil that American patriots held the most vital fortress in our war for independence. It was this school that gave us the men who fought and won a bloody war to extinguish the evil of slavery within one lifetime of our founding. It was the graduates of West Point — towering figures like McArthur, Patton, Eisenhower, and Bradley — who led America to victory over the sinister Nazis and imperial fascists 75 years ago. It was under the leadership of West Point graduates like the legendary General Matthew Ridgway that the Army was at the forefront of ending the terrible injustice of segregation. It was Army strength that held the line against the brutal opposition and oppression from Communism. And it has been thanks to patriots like you that America has climbed to new heights of human achievement and national endeavor.

This is your history. This is the legacy that each of you inherits. It is the legacy purchased with American blood at the crest of Little Round Top, on the crimson beaches of Normandy, in the freezing mud of Bastogne, and the dense jungles of Vietnam. It is the legacy of courageous, selfless, faithful patriots who fought for every inch of dirt with every ounce of strength and every last scrap of heart and drive and grit they had.

And they did it because they believed in the undying principles of our founding. They did it because they cherished their homes, their faith, their family, and their flag. And they did it because when they came to this school, they were taught to hold fast to their love of our country; to cherish our heritage, learn from it, and build upon it. That is what young Americans are taught here at West Point. That is the legacy that you carry forward as second lieutenants in the United States Army, and you must never forget it.

Through four long years, you have honed your skills, trained your mind and body, overcome every obstacle, and earned your place of pride in the Long Gray Line. You made it through the rigors of R-Day and Beast, the intensity of CLDT, and weeks of training in the blistering heat. You have pushed yourselves far beyond every limit imaginable.

Some of you have even pushed the limits a bit too much. So for any cadets who have not finished walking off their hours, as Commander-in-Chief, I hereby absolve all cadets on restriction for minor conduct offenses, and that is effective immediately. Congratulations. (Applause.) That’s a nice one, isn’t it? Don’t you feel better now? (Laughter.)

Surviving the 47-month experience is never easy, but only the class of 2020 can say it survived 48 months. And when it comes to bragging rights, no one can boast louder than the class that brought Navy’s 14-year football winning streak to a screeching halt. You did that. I happened to be there. (Applause.) I happened to be there. That’s right. That was a big day. I was there. You beat Navy and brought the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy back to West Point for two straight years. So we say, “Go, Army, go.”

This graduating class secured more than 1,000 victories for the Black Knights, including three bowl victories, 13 NCAA team appearances, and a Women’s Rugby Championship with the help of somebody that I just met: 2019 MVP, Sam Sullivan. Fantastic job. Thank you. A fantastic job. (Applause.) Five cadets won national boxing championships, and Adaya Queen brought home two. Brendan Brown earned the title of Powerlifting National Champion.

In academics, 38 cadets have earned fellowships to continue their studies, including First Captain Dane Van de Wall, who received one of the most prestigious awards in academia: the Rhodes Scholarship. Congratulations, Dane. It’s a great achievement. Thank you. Congratulations. (Applause.) Great achievement.

But no one modeled the values of the soldier-scholar quite like Lindy Mooradian. Lindy earned both the highest overall class standing and the highest physical program score. She has published scientific research in a prominent journal and set five new records on the athletic track. Lindy, incredible job. Where is Lindy? Where is Lindy? (Applause.) For somebody that did so well, they didn’t give you a very good seat, Lindy. (Laughter.) We have to talk about that. Congratulations.

Right now, America needs a class of cadets that lives by your motto: “With Vision, We Lead.” We need you to carry on the spirit of the great General Ulysses S. Grant. Soon after assuming overall command, following three years of Union setbacks, General Grant encountered someone heading north to Washington during the Battle of the Wilderness: “If you see the President,” Grant said, “tell him from me that whatever happens, there will [never] be no turning back.”

We need you to be as visionary as Patton, who as a young man in 1917, became the first soldier assigned to the Army Tank Corps. One month into the job, he saw the future, writing, “If resistance is broken, and the line pierced, the tank must and will assume the role of pursuit cavalry and ride the enemy to death.” Under Patton’s leadership, that’s exactly what they did.

We need you to be as bold and determined as the immortal General Douglas MacArthur, who knew that the American soldier never, ever quits. After leaving the Philippines for Australia at a low point of the Pacific War in 1942, MacArthur famously vowed, “I shall return.” For two years, he then took great strategic risks and placed himself often in personal danger. On October 20th, 1944, McArthur stepped off a landing boat, strode through knee-high water, and proclaimed, “People of the Philippines: I have returned. By the grace of Almighty God, our forces stand again on Philippine soil.” He then called upon the islands’ brave people to rise up and join the fight. America’s momentum was unstoppable.

These great leaders were not afraid of what others might say about them. They didn’t care. They knew their duty was to protect their country. They knew the Army exists to preserve the republic and the strong foundations upon which it stands: family, God, country, liberty, and justice. They were true, tough American patriots. That is what our country needs, especially in these times, and that is what you are.

Each of you begins your career in the Army at a crucial moment in American history. We are restoring the fundamental principles that the job of the American soldier is not to rebuild foreign nations, but defend — and defend strongly –our nation from foreign enemies. We are ending the era of endless wars. In its place is a renewed, clear-eyed focus on defending America’s vital interests. It is not the duty of U.S. troops to solve ancient conflicts in faraway lands that many people have never even heard of. We are not the policemen of the world.

But let our enemies be on notice: If our people are threatened, we will never, ever hesitate to act. And when we fight, from now on, we will fight only to win. As MacArthur said: “In war, there is no substitute for victory.”

To ensure you have the very best equipment and technology available, my administration has embarked on a colossal rebuilding of the American Armed Forces, a record like no other. After years of devastating budget cuts and a military that was totally depleted from these endless wars, we have invested over 2 trillion — trillion; that’s with a “T” — dollars in the most powerful fighting force, by far, on the planet Earth. We are building new ships, bombers, jet fighters, and helicopters by the hundreds; new tanks, military satellites, rockets, and missiles; even a hypersonic missile that goes 17 times faster than the fastest missile currently available in the world and can hit a target 1,000 miles away within 14 inches from center point.

For the first time in 70 years, we established a new branch of the United States military: the Space Force. It’s a big deal.

In recent years, America’s warriors have made clear to all the high cost of threatening the American people. The savage ISIS caliphate has been 100 percent destroyed under the Trump administration, and its barbaric leader, al-Baghdadi, is gone, killed, over. And the world’s number-one terrorist, Qasem Soleimani, is likewise dead.

As Commander-in-Chief, I never forget for one instant the immense sacrifices we ask of those who wear this nation’s uniform. Already, you have known the crushing pain of losing a brother in arms. Today, we remember an extraordinary cadet who made the supreme sacrifice in an accident last year: C.J. Morgan. We are deeply moved to be joined by his father, Christopher Morgan. And C.J. was something very special. Christopher is a Secret Service Agent. A tough guy. Great guy. Great son, who is looking down right now. Christopher, I want you to know that we will carry C.J.’s blessed memory in our hearts forever. Thank you very much. (Applause.) Thank you.

Tomorrow, America will celebrate a very important anniversary: the 245th birthday of the United States Army. Unrelated, going to be my birthday also. (Laughter.) I don’t know if that happened by accident. Did that happen by accident, please? But it’s a great day because of that Army birthday.

And as you know, the Army’s first Commander-in-Chief, General George Washington, called the fort that stood on this majestic point “the most important post in America.” Its strategic location on the Hudson River was vital to our war for independence. If British ships gained control of this river, they would have divided our young nation in two. So American soldiers stretched a massive metal chain across the waters of the Hudson, from West Point all the way to Constitution Island. I saw a piece of that chain. It’s incredible. No enemy ship even dared try to cross. Every link in that great chain was formed from over 100 pounds of pure American iron, mined from American soil, and made with American pride. Together, those links formed an unbreakable line of defense.

Standing here before you more than two centuries later, it is clearer than ever that General Washington’s words still hold true. West Point is still the indispensable post for America, the vital ground that must not lose. And the survival of our nation still depends on a great chain reaching out from this place — one made not of iron, but of flesh and blood, of memory and spirit, of sheer faith and unyielding courage.

Today, each of you becomes another link in that unbroken chain, forged in the crucible known as the United States Military Academy, the greatest on Earth. It has given you soldiers that you can rely on to your right and to your left. And now we are entrusting you with the most noble task any warrior has ever had the privilege to carry out: the task of preserving American liberty.

As long as you remain loyal, faithful, and true, then our enemies don’t even stand a chance, our rights will never be stolen, our freedoms will never be trampled, our destiny will never be denied, and the United States of America will never be defeated. With the grace of God and the heroes of West Point, America will always prevail. Nothing will stand in your way, nothing will slow you down, and nothing will stop the West Point Class of 2020 from achieving a true and lasting victory.

God bless you. God bless the United States Army. And God bless America. Congratulations. Thank you very much. Thank you. (Applause.)

END 11:16 A.M. EDT

本文转自-修昔底德的回声