To: Commandant of West Point Military Academy
West Point Commandant: Hold a Virtual Graduation
Reschedule the West Point graduation as a virtual event. The graduating cadets, their families, and all who might come into contact with them need to be protected from COVID-19.
Why is this important?
I have watched in amazement as President Trump declared he would be the commencement speaker at West Point in May. West Point had planned to ask him to be the speaker, but they had thought to delay the graduation ceremony until June.
Mr. Trump's unexpected announcement, that he would be the commencement speaker on May 15, caught West Point unawares. I believe they are totally flummoxed by this announcement, which was made after Vice President Pence spoke at the Air Force Academy graduation this month.
The president is doing this to benefit his own political progress towards re-election, not to honor the cadets or West Point. He is determined to have more attention directed at himself and the marvelous job he is doing. It is a major diversion from the catastrophe of his lack of leadership in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tell the West Point Commandant that in order to protect the lives of the graduating cadets, their families, the people they would come into contact with in their travels to West Point and back home, and the West Point staff, the graduation ceremony should be redirected from in-person attendance by the graduating cadets to a virtual graduation. The president could still be the commencement speaker from the White House, and his speech could be broadcast nationwide. Please consider the health protections of all who would be involved in an in-person West Point graduation. This must be stopped!
Mr. Trump's unexpected announcement, that he would be the commencement speaker on May 15, caught West Point unawares. I believe they are totally flummoxed by this announcement, which was made after Vice President Pence spoke at the Air Force Academy graduation this month.
The president is doing this to benefit his own political progress towards re-election, not to honor the cadets or West Point. He is determined to have more attention directed at himself and the marvelous job he is doing. It is a major diversion from the catastrophe of his lack of leadership in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tell the West Point Commandant that in order to protect the lives of the graduating cadets, their families, the people they would come into contact with in their travels to West Point and back home, and the West Point staff, the graduation ceremony should be redirected from in-person attendance by the graduating cadets to a virtual graduation. The president could still be the commencement speaker from the White House, and his speech could be broadcast nationwide. Please consider the health protections of all who would be involved in an in-person West Point graduation. This must be stopped!