"..the future belongs to freedom.."

President Delivers Commencement Address at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York - May 27, 2006
President Truman made clear that the Cold War was an ideological struggle between tyranny and freedom.
Today, at the start of a new century, we are again engaged in a war unlike any our nation has fought before and like Americans in Truman's day, we are laying the foundations for victory.
While there are real differences between today's war and the Cold War, there are also many important similarities. Like the Cold War, we are fighting the followers of a murderous ideology that despises freedom, crushes all dissent, has territorial ambitions, and pursues totalitarian aims.
When President Truman spoke here for the 150th anniversary of West Point, he told the Class of 1952: "We can't have lasting peace unless we work actively and vigorously to bring about conditions of freedom and justice in the world."
I have confidence in the final outcome of this struggle, because I know the character and determination of the men and women gathered before me. We see that character and determination in a cadet named Patrick Dowdell.
A few weeks ago, Patrick's mom, RoseEllen, attended another graduation ceremony at the New York City Fire Academy, where her other son, James, followed his father's footsteps as one of New York's Bravest. And today, RoseEllen is with us to see Patrick join the ranks of America's bravest, as an officer in the United States Army.