this is a particular useful time for america to reflect on those who have sacrificed so much for our freedom. a few days after memorial day, you are the first class to graduate since 9/11 who may not be sent into combat in iraq or afghanist afghanistan. [ applause ] when i first spoke at west point in 2009, we still had more than 100,000 troops in iraq. we were preparing to surge in afghanistan. our counter terrorism efforts were focused on al qaeda's core lead leadership, and those who carried out the 9/11 attacks,