JUNE 18, 2020 1 WWW.WESTPOINT.EDU THE JUNE 18, 2020 VOL. 77, NO. 23 OINTER IEW® DUTY, HONOR, COUNTRY PSERVING THE U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY AND THE COMMUNITY V OF WEST POINT ® Class of 2020 ‘Dismissed’ SEE PAGES 3, 8-9 • • The U.S. Military Academy at West Point held its graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020 on the Plain June 13. This year, 1,113 members of the class graduated. The commencement speaker was President Donald J. Trump. (Above) The class takes part in the traditional hat toss following the order of dismissal by First Captain Daine Van de Wall as aircraft from the 82nd Airborne Division fl y overhead. (Left) Trump and West Point Superintendent Lt. Gen. Darryl A. Williams salute the new offi cers after they receive their diplomas. Photo by Brandon O'Connor/PV and John Pellino/USMA PAO 2 JUNE 18, 2020 NEWS & FEATURES POINTER VIEW Class of 2020 celebrates banquet with CSA as guest speaker By Brandon O’Connor They were, as class president 2nd Lt. PV Assistant Editor Joshua Phillips pointed out, the class to fi nally break Navy’s winning streak in the annual The night before a class graduates from the Army-Navy Game. The 1,113 members of the U.S. Military Academy is a time of celebration. class also found success in the classroom with The members of the class typically come 38 members receiving graduate scholarships together along with their families to share one including First Captain 2nd Lt. Daine Van de fi nal dinner in the Cadet Mess Hall during Wall who was named a Rhodes Scholar. the graduation banquet and prepare for the “Four years ago, we all accepted conclusion of their cadet careers the next appointments to the United States Military day. This year, the Class of 2020 was able to Academy not knowing what to expect,” Phillips hold a banquet Friday evening, but it was in a said. “Some of us were excited, others were more subdued form as—much like Saturday’s nervous, but we all shared one common goal graduation ceremony—it was closed to families and that is to be the best version of ourselves and friends because of social distancing so that we could serve our country.” guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic. During his remarks, Phillips also announced The few guests at the banquet included that the class leadership had decided to add two Secretary of the Army Ryan D. McCarthy additional members to the class. Following and Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. James C. the results of a unanimous vote of the class McConville, USMA Class of 1981, who both offi cers, Phillips announced that West Point also attended Saturday’s graduation ceremony. Command Sgt. Maj. Jack Love, who has Dressed in their Army Combat Uniforms become known for his quote “I didn’t graduate with second lieutenant bars on their chests, from West Point, but I’m a West Pointer,” and the members of the class sat socially distanced 2nd Regiment Executive Offi cer Maj. Nicole throughout the mess hall, and took the time to Kruse were being added as honorary members celebrate all they have accomplished despite of the Class of 2020. the difficult circumstances of their final Phillips was then followed at the podium by semester. McConville who served as the guest speaker. Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. James C. McConville served as the guest speaker at Friday’s graduation banquet in the Cadet Mess Hall. He spoke to the Class of 2020 about the challenges they will face as they begin their Army careers. Photos by John Pellion/USMA PAO He spoke to the class of the mantle they now remember the principles of people fi rst and take up as young officers and West Point winning matters. Those will require them to graduates. As they begin their careers, “much take care of their Soldiers and their Soldiers’ will be expected,” of them he said because they families, while carrying the attitude that when have graduated from West Point. they deploy or have a task they must win “Carry that mantel with pride, but humility,” because, “there’s no second place or honorable McConville said. “You're going to take the mention in combat.” skills that you learned here, and you'll have the “I want to congratulate each and every privilege of leading America’s fi nest men and one of you again on this great achievement,” women. Extraordinary young people who have McConville said. “You don’t even realize how raised their right hand and—like you—said, much you learned here. Almost 40 years later, ‘send me.’ You will be leading extraordinary I still use the lessons I learned from this great people in extraordinary times.” academy, even things that seemed like a waste The Class of 2020 enters the Army at a of time as a cadet. So, remember what you The few guests at the graduation banquet included Secretary of the Army Ryan challenging time, McConville said, as the learned here. Remember your commitment D. McCarthy and Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. James C. McConville, USMA pandemic continues to rage and they face a to duty, honor and country. Remember to put Class of 1981, who both also attended Saturday’s graduation ceremony. They “great power competition” on the world stage. people fi rst. Remember in the United States ate a socially-distanced meal in the Cadet Mess Hall. To face those challenges, he called on them to Army winning matters.” 40 Mulberry Street, Middletown, NY 10940 POINTER VIEW ® To subscribe to the Pointer View or The Army civilian enterprise newspaper, the Pointer View, is an authorized publication for members The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not if you have delivery problems, call 845-346-3213. of the Department of Defense. Contents of the Pointer View are not necessarily the offi cial views of, or constitute endorsement of the products or services advertised by the U.S. Army or the Times Herald- Lt. Gen. Darryl Williams endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of the Army or the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Record. Superintendent Brandon O’Connor The editorial content of the Pointer View is the responsibility of the U.S. Military Academy Public Everything advertised in this pub li ca tion will be made available for purchase, use or pa tron age Lt. Col. 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[email protected] POINT POINTER VIEW IN FOCUS: CLASS OF 2020 GRADUATION DAY JUNE 18, 2020 3 Class of 2020 graduates in historic ceremony on the Plain On June 13, the Class of 2020 became the fi rst class since 1977 to graduate on the Plain at the U.S. Military Academy. The ceremony was moved from Michie Stadium to allow for social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic Photo by Brandon O'Connor/PV By Brandon O’Connor beginning May 26. They then entered a 14- Secretary of the Army Ryan D. McCarthy the example of their predecessors and living PV Assistant Editor day quarantine leading up to the graduation and Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. James their class motto of “With Vision We Lead.” ceremony while fi nishing the fi nal tasks required C. McConville, who served as distinguished “Today, each of you becomes another link A few minutes after 10 a.m. Saturday of them as cadets. guests. Throughout the ceremony, the class in that unbroken chain, forged in the crucible morning, the West Point Band began to play and “I was honestly really happy that we all got also received words of encouragement from known as the United States Military Academy, 1,107 members of the U.S. Military Academy’s to come back and I got to say goodbye,” said their fellow members of the Long Gray Line the greatest on earth,” Trump said. “It has given Class of 2020 stepped off from the sally ports 2nd Lt. Nerissa Siwietz, who branched Armor including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, you Soldiers that you can rely on to your right along Washington Hall and began to march and will begin her career at Fort Campbell, Class of 1986; Duke basketball coach Mike and to your left. Now, we are entrusting you with onto the Plain that serves as the centerpiece of Kentucky. “These people have been with me for Krzyzewski, Class of 1969; and Heisman the most noble task any warrior has ever had— the academy. the past four years (through) all the really good Trophy winner Pete Dawkins, Class of 1959.