Petraeus to speak at VMI graduation
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| Gen. David H. Petraeus will speak at the commencement ceremonies May 16. |
About 250 VMI first-classmen, many of whom will be entering the U.S. Armed Forces after graduation, will have a chance to hear from one of the military’s top officers when Gen. David H. Petraeus delivers Virginia Military Institute’s commencement address in May.
Petraeus, who commanded the U.S. 101st Airborne during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, is commander of the U.S. Central Command, and is responsible for U.S. operations in 20 countries including Iraq.
“We are all deeply honored to have such a momentous historical figure address us in our final moments at the institute,” First Class President Cadet Finney Kimsey said.
Petraeus is a respected top military official who exemplifies the ideals and values promoted by VMI, said Col. Thomas H. Trumps, the Institute’s commandant.
“Our commencement speaker is usually someone of state or national prominence, often times the governor or someone from the Department of Defense, since more than 50 percent of our cadets will enter the military,” Trumps said. “General Petraeus is a great choice because he ranks right up there with the message we’re trying to get out to these cadets.”
Petraeus has held top posts in airborne, mechanized and air assault infantry units in Europe and the United States. He was commander of Multi-National Force-Iraq until September 2008. Before that, he commanded the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center at Fort Leavenworth in Kansas. Petraeus also served as the first commander of the Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq from June 2004 to September 2005.
Before his command of the 101st Airborne, Petraeus was assistant chief of staff for operations of the NATO Stabilization Force and deputy commander of the U.S. Joint Interagency Counter-Terrorism Task Force-Bosnia.
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to thank VMI’s faculty and cadets for their service when I join you for commencement ceremonies in the spring,” Petraeus said in a letter to VMI accepting the invitation.
Last year, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates gave the commencement speech. Other recent speakers have included Gov. Tim Kaine in 2007, Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld in 2006 and Gov. Mark Warner in 2005.
Kimsey agrees that Petraeus, who graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1974., embodies the ideals of the “VMI family.” Kimsey describes the “family” as one whose members have committed themselves to becoming selfless servants of superior character, honor and intellect.
“I believe he reflects the ideals and values supported by the VMI mission and the unique austere life we live, which distinguishes VMI from all other institutions of higher learning,” Kimsey said.
Stewart MacInnis, director of communications at VMI, said the institute’s first-classmen, as its seniors are termed, decide whom they would like to invite to speak at commencement. Kimsey’s role as first-class president is to facilitate the process and review the list of potential speakers.
This is not the first time Petraeus has been asked to speak at VMI. Trumps said that Petraeus was asked two years ago to speak at a different VMI function, but was unable to attend because of a scheduling conflict with his nomination for his fourth star.
Trumps, who said he is sure Petraeus can share a lot with cadets regarding both the military and politics, described the general as one of the busiest men in the U.S. government, after the president and vice-president.
“I’m sure the cadets feel very honored,” Trumps said. “He has a lot on his plate, and to come to this small school in the Shenandoah Valley is a big deal.”
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