Let me first thank my classmates of the Class of 1960 and our 50th Reunion Committee for the honor of this invitation and for the privilege of sharing Harvard’s stage this morning with Secretary Vickers and with the distinguished military officers here and  in the audience. Thank you all for your service.

Thank you as well to MIT for providing Harvard students the opportunity to train in anticipation of this day and of the service that awaits them. Thank you, Rev. Peter Gomes, for your spiritual guidance to the Harvard community.

And special thanks to President Drew Faust for your inspirational leadership of this University at an important and challenging time in Harvard’s history.

And, not least, let me offer my congratulations to the commissioned officers of the Harvard College Class of 2010.

Tomorrow, you will graduate. Your level of academic achievement will be inscribed on your Harvard degree. In my day, the Latin words told the story. There were Summa cum laudes, Magna cum laudes and cum laudes.  And then, though not inscribed, there were those 2 Latin words that meant so much to me when I received my own degree some 50 years ago: ….Deo Gratias! It will be a day for congratulations for all of you in any event.

Here at Harvard, we seek Veritas. We seek the truth through learning and reason. I am honored to be invited to focus our attention on the significance of this morning’s ceremony. So, I ask you to always remember this truth.

Whatever your level of academic achievement, as newly commissioned 2d Lieutenants and Ensigns, today you have earned your place in the front ranks of the most Honored graduates of the Harvard College Class of 2010.

You are in the front ranks because you have demonstrated early and honorable leadership. You have stepped forward to the front ranks of national public service, and by doing so you are setting an honorable example for your classmates and for your generation.

When you signed on for the Reserved Officers Training Corps and selected a branch of service here at America’s most prestigious University just a few years ago, you were the first in your Class to answer a fundamental question.

It was not the predictable question we all asked ourselves as undergraduates: “What shall I do with my Harvard Degree?” 

No; your question was more profound. You asked yourselves: “Once I have received a Harvard education, what shall I do with my citizenship?”

A Harvard College education provides its graduates with an awareness of and a deep appreciation for our rights as American citizens. But a Harvard College education also teaches us to remember always our responsibilities as American citizens.

In life, one’s character is most readily measured by one’s priorities and by one’s values and by the choices one makes along the way.

By the choice you made then and by what you have earned today, you declared as a first priority in your post-graduate career from Harvard College to commit your time and your talent to the service of your country.

“Once I have received a Harvard education, what shall I do with my citizenship?”

You have answered your own question with a selfless and patriotic pledge to duty and to discipline, to sacrifice and yes, to service. In doing so, you bring honor to yourselves and to your families; you bring honor to your classmates and to this University; and, not least, you have honored your country by your election to serve as officers in the military service of the United States of America.

Having recently served on the Armed Services Committee and the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committees of the United States Senate, I have a keen appreciation of the dangerous and complex world in which we live and of the two difficult wars in which our country is now engaged, and I commend you for your courage, and I salute you for your patriotism.

It is said that—“From those to whom much is given, much is expected.” This morning’s ceremony makes clear that you have a grateful understanding that as recipients of a Harvard education, much has been given to you; and that, in return, you are expected to serve, and to be a part of something larger than yourselves.

Your understanding of that responsibility is a sign of your wisdom; it is the very “wisdom” that Harvard College promised to you in the inscription over Dexter Gate when you entered this Yard some four years ago—“Enter to grow in wisdom.”

Tomorrow afternoon, when you exit that same gate, take a moment to look up at the inscription that sends you on your way. It is meant to be an inspiration to all Harvard seniors as they depart from this Yard. Read its words and feel good about yourselves.

Because, as newly commissioned Ensigns and 2d Lieutenants destined for leadership in our nation’s military service and for future leadership as public citizens, you will be keeping your promise to Harvard in return for its gift to you-- as you “Depart to better serve thy country and thy kind.”

Congratulations and Godspeed.