Latest news with #militaryacademy
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
20 high school graduates preparing to head to military academies after send-ff ceremony at MacDill
The Brief Twenty high school graduates are deploying into their next chapter as they head to their chosen military academy. Congresswoman Kathy Castor and Laurel Lee held a special send-off ceremony at MacDill. Each cadet had to get a nomination from their congressperson to gain acceptance. TAMPA, Fla. - Twenty Bay Area high school graduates will soon head to their military academies. Congresswomen Kathy Castor and Laurel Lee held a special ceremony Tuesday night at MacDill to officially send them off. What they're saying "I want to commission as a United States Naval pilot. That'd be awesome," Cadet Gregory Murashkin said. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube They've made the ultimate decision to serve their country, which is no small feat. "I'm thinking of being a pilot, either F-15 or the PAVE Hawk for the Air Force," Cadet Anthony Murashkin said. Each received a nomination from their Congressperson, granting them admission to their chosen military academy. READ: Memorial Day marks first American Legion Post 273 ceremony since reopening after hurricanes "I'd like to get my helicopter pilot's license and hopefully serve in either the Coast Guard or maybe the Navy," Cadet Ava Booker said. Big picture view Tuesday night, U.S. Representatives Kathy Castor and Laura Lee hosted a special ceremony and send-off with their families at MacDill Air Force Base to congratulate them on their acceptance. Local perspective "It's definitely nervous, but it's the excitement. It's that anticipation. Everybody here has volunteered, raised their right hand, and chosen to serve the United States of America and the Constitution. And I think that's really impressive," U.S. Air Force Major Kaitlin Butler said. Major Butler knows exactly what it's like for these cadets, because 10 years ago today she was at her cadet send-off ceremony before heading to the Air Force Academy. MORE: Bay Area fallen hero's legacy lives on in his hometown "It's a really hard place to be at. It's tough, it's challenging, it is meant to be that way, but it's really a great place to be from. The amount of pride you have when you graduate is really second to none," Butler said. Identical twin brothers, Anthony and Gregory Murashkin, are first generation Americans. "Both my parents are from Ukraine. They grew up in the Soviet Union and kind of seeing what life was like in a dictatorship really wasn't pretty," Gregory said. They said their parents story inspired them both to serve their country. "I'm really proud of them, and I'm really happy that they've gotten the opportunity to live here," Anthony said. READ: At 101, Dunedin World War II veteran reflects on service during 'Victory in Europe Day' Ava Booker is following in the footsteps of her dad, who served in the Army, and her grandpa, who served in the Air Force. "My dad encouraged me to try out the service academy, and I worked really hard for it, and now I'm here," Booker said. Major Butler message to the cadets as they head to academy: "Stick it out, stick with it. It's worth it in the end." The Source FOX 13's Jordan Bowen gathered the information in this story from MacDill Air Force Base. WATCH FOX 13 NEWS: STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app:Apple |Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump tells West Point grads to avoid 'trophy wives' in commencement speech
President Donald Trump told graduates to avoid "trophy wives" during his commencement address at the United States Military Academy at West Point on May 24. "He ended up getting a divorce, found a new wife. Could you say a trophy wife? I guess we can say a trophy wife," Trump said, referring to real estate developer Bill Levitt. "But that doesn't work out too well, I must tell you, a lot of trophy wives, it doesn't it work." Trump has been married three times: Ivana Zelníčková – married in 1977, divorced in 1990; Marla Maples – married in 1993, divorced in 1999; and Melania Knauss, now First Lady Melania Trump – married in 2005. Each worked as professional models before their engagement to Trump. The anecdote came during the commencement address, in which Trump touted his administration's isolationist stances and the ending of diversity, equity and inclusion programs. "The job of the U.S. armed forces is not to host drag shows, to transform foreign cultures (and) spread democracy to everybody around the world at the point of a gun," he said. "The military's job is to dominate any foe and annihilate any threat to America, anywhere, anytime and any place." The military academy shut down a slew of on-campus organizations, including the Corbin Forum, a leadership club for female cadets, and Spectrum, a gay-straight alliance, in February following an executive order ending diversity, equity and inclusion policies in the federal government, according to "We've liberated our troops from divisive and demeaning political trainings," Trump said. "There will be no more critical race theory or transgender for everybody forced onto our brave men and women in uniform — or on anybody else for that matter, in this country." Trump, wearing his campaign's red MAGA hat, also pulled a common campaign reference in the speech, saying, "I went through a very tough time with some very radicalized sick, people. I say I was investigated more than the great, late Alphonse Capone." Trump was convicted in 2024 on 34 counts of falsifying business records to hide a hush money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump tells West Point graduates to avoid 'trophy wives'
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Here's what President Trump should say to those graduating from West Point
On Saturday, President Donald Trump will deliver the commencement address to the class of 2025 at the United States Military Academy at West Point. Presidents normally deliver graduation remarks at one of our nation's service academies each year. Trump spoke to the class of 2020 during his first term. Commencement speeches are difficult. They are intended to celebrate the students upon their graduation and offer words of encouragement and guidance as they transition into the next phase of their lives. I imagine most speakers hope they might say something that graduates will remember in future, but we must admit that most fail. But military academy graduations are unique. Unlike other college graduations, every cadet about to receive a diploma knows what their first job is going to be and where. I was one of those cadets over 50 years ago and remember the day well. Our speaker was Gen. William Westmoreland, who had recently returned from command in Vietnam and assumed responsibilities as Army chief of staff. All my classmates were excited that the day we had long awaited had finally arrived. Each of us privately had a bit of trepidation about what the future might bring. We also knew it was the last time we would all be together. So, if I were able to tell Trump or his speechwriters what suggestions might I make? The president might consider that he will be speaking to two additional audiences in addition to the class of 2025. The first audience includes other cadets who comprise the Corps of Cadets. Roughly half of the corps in attendance will be finishing their first or second year as cadets, but at this moment they've made no formal commitment to military service. After summer training, the rising juniors will return to the academy in the fall and, on the eve of their first day of classes, will take the Oath of Affirmation. This ceremony affirms each cadet's commitment to complete their final two years at the academy and future service as an active-duty Army officer. Hopefully, Trump's remarks will inspire them to remain at the academy and accept an obligation of service to the nation. The second audience is made up of the graduates' families. They will be bursting with pride in the accomplishments of their children. At the same time, they know their children will soon deploy to locations around the globe, and in many cases serve in harm's way in future. Their sacrifices should be acknowledged and honored. The president will likely tell the class of 2025 that they are graduating at a difficult moment. He might even remind them that they are the true successors of the minutemen who stood on the greens in Lexington and Concord 250 years ago. But like then, the world today is in turmoil. Recently, Pope Leo XIV in his first Sunday message said the world is experiencing 'the Third World War fought piecemeal.' His words are sobering. Many in attendance may fear that these graduates are in a position not dissimilar from that of their predecessors who graduated in the spring of 1941 or received their diplomas around the time when I was a cadet and were then sent into combat in Vietnam. Furthermore, the world is witnessing a revolution in the conduct of warfare. Modern combat requires the integration of drones, asymmetric warfare, cyber, artificial intelligence, outer space, etc., in conjunction with the traditional domains of land, air and sea. Battlefields in Ukraine as well as the recent conflicts in the Middle East and South Asia have seen large-scale, high-tempo military operations. Victory in the future will be determined by military leaders who not only master their craft but also are able to learn, adapt and innovate quickly throughout their careers. That is what the nation expects and needs them to do. Finally, I hope Trump reminds the graduates that they are joining the profession of arms. It is a profession because it encompasses an abstract body of knowledge that is essential if the nation is going to survive. These graduates are joining the ranks of the 1% of our population who protect the country from foreign threats. They are more inspired by the intrinsic rewards of their service than the extrinsic, and he should tell them that they should take enormous pride in that. As a professional, their military service must be based on values; ethics, character and integrity are essential. Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf returned to the academy shortly after the Gulf War in 1991. He told the Corps of Cadets at that moment: 'To be a 21st-century leader, you must have two things: competence and character.' They are the guardians whom Plato described in 'The Republic,' and West Point's motto of 'Duty, Honor, Country' must remain with them for as long as they wear the uniform. The president might even remind them that following his remarks they will swear an oath not to him or any future president, but to the Constitution of the United States. Their service is to the American people and consequently must remain apolitical. They are being entrusted with the nation's greatest treasure — its sons and daughters — and the burden of command will be heavy. I wish Trump the best of luck with his remarks, but, admittedly, I don't remember anything Westmoreland said at my West Point graduation. I hope the president can inspire the class of 2025 for at least a few moments of reflection, but I doubt many will long recall what he had to say. It's unlikely Trump or anyone around him will read this. Even if he did, I doubt he'd find my recommendations of any use. But at a minimum, I hope he realizes that Saturday's commencement is about the graduates, the other cadets in attendance and their families. It's not about him. This article was originally published on
