For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
March 11, 2002
West Point Bicentennial Day Proclamation
Bicentennial Day of the United States Military Academy at West Point, 2002
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
For two centuries, the United States Military Academy at West
Point, New York, has trained, educated, and inspired thousands of
cadets to serve our Nation with integrity, skill, and fortitude as
members of our military's officer corps. West Point
emphasizes the very highest standards of personal honor, academic
achievement, and public duty, preparing its graduates for lives of
patriotic commitment and distinguished service. Since the school's
beginnings, West Point alumni have played an immensely important role
in protecting our national security and preserving democracy around the
world.
Upon this 200th anniversary of the Academy's founding, we celebrate
West Point's great contributions to the success and strength of
America. We pay tribute to the Academy's extraordinary tradition of
valor, victory, and sacrifice. This hallowed history is
filled with the names of soldiers who fought and sometimes died to
preserve and protect the founding principles of our country, ensuring
that we can live today in a free and democratic Republic.
On March 16, 1802, President Thomas Jefferson signed an Act of
Congress establishing the United States Military Academy at West Point,
New York. Since its inception, the institution has played a
central role in the training of America's future military
leaders. And West Point graduates have marked our history
with courage beyond the call of duty; integrity that brought honor to
themselves, their school, and their Nation; and military skills that
achieved victory after victory.
Academy graduates have long fulfilled West Point's noble tradition
of selfless service to country. General John J. Pershing led
the American Expeditionary Force to victory in World War
I. And in World War II, Generals Dwight Eisenhower, Omar
Bradley, Douglas MacArthur, and George Patton proved again the
resourcefulness, bravery, and skill of West Point's graduates, helping
to lead the Allies to victory over tyranny. In Korea and
Vietnam, during Operation Desert Storm, and now in Operation Enduring
Freedom, West Point graduates, like Generals Brent Scowcroft, Roscoe
Robinson, H. Norman Schwarzkopf, and Franklin "Buster" Hagenbeck, have
continued to make significant contributions and great sacrifices for
America and her people. And the graduates of West Point
continue to be prepared to make the greatest sacrifice. We
remember with deep respect and honor, the sacrifice made by Academy
graduate, Major Curtis Feistner, who recently gave his life in the
fight against terror.
As part of the 200th anniversary of the United States Military
Academy, I encourage all Americans to reflect on the Academy's
incomparable history of contribution to our country's national security
and to remember the West Point graduates who made the ultimate
sacrifice in the defense of freedom. The Academy's role in
protecting our homeland and in shaping our next generation of
battlefield leaders deserves the gratitude and respect of every
American. I am pleased to pay tribute to this noble school
upon the occasion of its historic anniversary; and I am honored to be
serving today as Commander in Chief of so many of its fine graduates.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States
of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution
and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 16, 2002, as
West Point Bicentennial Day. I encourage Federal, State, and
local officials, as well as leaders of civil, social, educational, and
military organizations, to conduct ceremonies and programs that
celebrate the United States Military Academy and the values it
represents and upholds.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand
this eleventh day of
March, in the year of our Lord two thousand two, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
twenty-sixth.
GEORGE W. BUSH
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