Bush gives commencement address at Kings Point

Bush gives commencement address at Kings Point    The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy got some high-profile attention on Monday as President Bush gave the keynote address at the academy’s commencement. The academy said he was the first sitting U.S. president to visit its campus, located in Kings Point, N.Y. on Long Island.
   “America is a great maritime power, and our Merchant Marine has a vital role to play,” the president told midshipmen. “In times of peace, the Merchant Marine helps ensure our economic security by keeping the oceans open to trade. In times of war, the Merchant Marine is the lifeline of our troops overseas, carrying critical supplies, equipment, and personnel.”
   Bush said Kings Point cadets are “forward deployed in the Middle East, where they’re supporting operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. Your Global Maritime and Transportation School is providing advanced training in areas from marine engineering to port security for military units like the Navy Seabees and Surface Warfare Officers.”