The graduation at the US Military Academy at West Point is being held in person today, at the request of Donald Trump, who is speaking.
The event is impressive, on a beautiful day.
You can watch live, including Trump's address.
The event is impressive, on a beautiful day.
You can watch live, including Trump's address.
2/ The superintendent of West Point is Lt. Gen. Darryl A. Williams — West Point's first African-American leader, appointed in 2018.
He spoke with Trump at the superintendent's house just off the parade ground, and walked with him to the reviewing stand.
cnn.com/2018/07/02/us/…
He spoke with Trump at the superintendent's house just off the parade ground, and walked with him to the reviewing stand.
cnn.com/2018/07/02/us/…
3/ The 1,100 cadets marched onto the parade ground wearing masks.
Once seated, in chairs placed 8 feet apart, they removed their masks.
Trump was not on the reviewing stand when the cadets marched out.
Once seated, in chairs placed 8 feet apart, they removed their masks.
Trump was not on the reviewing stand when the cadets marched out.
4 /The Army band plays at West Point graduation. The band is set up somewhat distant, and also with plexiglass panels between the musicians, and around the conductor.
All wearing masks.
All wearing masks.
5/ Trump is speaking to the graduates now.
6/ Trump announced without consulting West Point administration that he would be addressing the graduates — after West Point had sent the cadets home, and planned a delayed in-person commencement, or some other kind of graduation.
nytimes.com/2020/04/24/us/…
nytimes.com/2020/04/24/us/…
7/ West Point brought the graduating cadets back to West Point.
Every returning cadet was tested for coronavirus. They were divided up into cohorts of 250 students and quarantined for 2 weeks.
15 of the 1,100 tested positive — with no symptoms.
nytimes.com/2020/04/24/us/…
Every returning cadet was tested for coronavirus. They were divided up into cohorts of 250 students and quarantined for 2 weeks.
15 of the 1,100 tested positive — with no symptoms.
nytimes.com/2020/04/24/us/…
8/ Those positive cadets were isolated, never got sicker, and have joined their classmates for today's graduation.
West Point's meticulous strategy for return has some lessons.
West Point's meticulous strategy for return has some lessons.
9/ The groups of 250 cadets — all tested negative — were not allowed to mix with each other.
In the dining hall, food was served onto long tables by staff who, then departed. Each group of cadets entered and ate — separate from the other groups.
In the dining hall, food was served onto long tables by staff who, then departed. Each group of cadets entered and ate — separate from the other groups.
10/ West Point created four designated running paths for those who wanted to go running.
When the President attends the West Point commencement, each graduating cadet typically shakes the hand of the President.
nytimes.com/2020/06/12/us/…
When the President attends the West Point commencement, each graduating cadet typically shakes the hand of the President.
nytimes.com/2020/06/12/us/…
11/ Because of the virus there will be no handshakes.
Cadets in pairs will ascend a separate stage, facing the main reviewing stand, and salute the President.
Cadets in pairs will ascend a separate stage, facing the main reviewing stand, and salute the President.
12/ The cadet with the highest academic average in this year's class is Lindy Mooradian, from Erie, PA, also a Marshall Scholar.
Trump calls her out. 'Where is Lindy? Where is she? Lindy, for someone who did so well you didn't get a very good seat. We need to talk about that.'
Trump calls her out. 'Where is Lindy? Where is she? Lindy, for someone who did so well you didn't get a very good seat. We need to talk about that.'
13/ Friends & family are not attending the graduation in person. They can watch online.
But graduates will get to toss their caps in the air at the graduation's end.
10 minutes into Trump's graduation address, 8,100 people watching the YouTube stream.
But graduates will get to toss their caps in the air at the graduation's end.
10 minutes into Trump's graduation address, 8,100 people watching the YouTube stream.
14/ Trump is finished.
He spoke for about 15 minutes. He didn't address the recent tension with senior US military leaders.
It was a fairly anodyne commencement address (Trump did mention the need to defeat the virus).
He spoke for about 15 minutes. He didn't address the recent tension with senior US military leaders.
It was a fairly anodyne commencement address (Trump did mention the need to defeat the virus).
15/ They are calling the names at West Point.
Trump stands beside Supt. Williams. He will salute the entire class, 2 at a time. You definitely earn the speech with the standing & saluting.
West Point has 2 people call names in alternation—pretty brisk.
16 names/min.
70 min.
Trump stands beside Supt. Williams. He will salute the entire class, 2 at a time. You definitely earn the speech with the standing & saluting.
West Point has 2 people call names in alternation—pretty brisk.
16 names/min.
70 min.
16/ Trump will stand for more than an hour, and salute 600 times.
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