three years ago gaven white graduated from this academy and served in afghanistan. like the soldiers who came before him he was in a foreign land and helping people he never met. putting himself in harm's way for the sake of his community and his family and the folks back home. gaven lost one of his legs in an attack. i met him last year at walter reed. he was wounded but just as determined as the day that he arrived here at west pointe and developed a simple goal, today his sister morgan will graduate and true to his promise gaven will be there and exchange salutes to her. [applause] we have been through a long season of war. we have faced trials that were not foreseen and we have seen divisions about how to move forward. but there's something in gaven's character, something in the american character that will always triumph. leaving here you carry with you the respect of your fellow citizens. you will represent a nation with history and hope on our side. your charge now is not only to protect our country, but to do what is right and just. as your commander and chi