VP Kamala Harris to become 1st woman to deliver West Point commencement speech

Vice President Kamala Harris says America's veterans makes the nation stronger

Vice President Kamala Harris told the nation's veterans Friday their work makes America stronger, as the administration announced new support for children who live with wounded service members.

WEST POINT, N.Y. (AP) - Vice President Kamala Harris will be the first woman to deliver a commencement speech at a West Point graduation ceremony, White House officials said.

Harris will deliver the keynote address on May 27 at the U.S. Military Academy for the Class of 2023.

"We are honored to have the Vice President as our commencement speaker," Lt. Gen. Steven W. Gilland, the U.S. Military Academy’s 61st superintendent said in a statement. "As an accomplished leader who has achieved significant milestones throughout her career, we look forward to her inspiring remarks to our cadets."

Historically, vice presidents have addressed the graduating class at one of the federal service academies on a rotating basis. This will be Harris' first visit to West Point.

In 2022, she delivered the keynote address during the U.S. Coast Guard Academy's commencement exercises in Connecticut. In 2021, she delivered a commencement address at the U.S. Naval Academy in Maryland.

President Joe Biden will deliver the commencement address at the U.S. Air Force Academy and Howard University this year.