Tornado Alley (PROG)

[F6]

(COMTEX) B: Cheney Invokes 9/11, Lauds Air Force Grads
( AP Online )

AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo., Jun 01, 2005 (AP Online via COMTEX) -- In a speech
dominated by the tragedy of Sept. 11, Vice President Dick Cheney told graduating
cadets at the Air Force Academy on Wednesday that they will help lead the nation
to victory in the war against "freedom's enemies."

Interrupted by cheers from the 906 graduates, Cheney noted that they were the
last freshman class to enroll before the deadly attacks on New York and
Washington.

"Four years ago, when you arrived at the Air Force Academy, some believed our
nation had entered a long period of relative quiet with few real threats to our
security and little reason to expect serious danger," he said. "All of you
remember that Tuesday morning in 2001."

A handful of protesters rallied outside the school to protest the speech and
criticize the Bush administration.

"I strongly believe that what our current administration is doing, especially in
Iraq, is wrong and they've ruined our economy," said Patty Pettus, who was
carrying a sign that said "Emperor Cheney of the dark side."

The speech came at a tumultuous time for the academy, which is under a Pentagon
investigation because of complaints that evangelical Christians have harassed
cadets who do not share their faith.

---

On the Net:

Academy: http://atlas.usafa.af.mil

---

Copyright 2005 Associated Press, All rights reserved

-0-

*** end of story ***