Metropolitan Police Department: Serving and Succeeding in a World Without Walls-Page 4

Some of you are school teachers, providing perhaps the most important service of all - educating, enlightening and, ultimately, transforming future generations of Americans. And others of you are in different types of public service, or have careers in the public or private sectors. Forty-two years ago, President John Fitzgerald Kennedy beseeched Americans to, "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country." Forty-two years later, his words resound with new meaning and fresh urgency.

The terrorists who attacked our nation on September 11th, and those who supported them, were intent on doing much more than destroying buildings and taking innocent lives. They were intent - and they remain intent - on weakening our national resolve, on getting Americans to question our principles and our values, on having us resurrect some of those walls that divided us in the past - and then retreating behind those walls in fear and self-doubt.

Ladies and gentlemen, the terrorists who seek to attack our nation and undermine our values have sorely underestimated our strength, our courage and our resolve. We saw our true spirit on September 11th, as firefighters, police officers, emergency medical technicians and military personnel rushed into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon in a heroic attempt to rescue others.

We have seen that spirit, day in and day out, over the past nine months - as Americans of all races, religions, and beliefs have come together in demonstrations of patriotism and community-building. I had the privilege this past week of participating in the ceremony officially closing the clean-up of Ground Zero - an experience that was both tragic and uplifting. And we see that same spirit here today, with a group of new graduates from this fine university poised to go out and continue using your knowledge, your talents, your hearts - to bolster our nation, its government and our economy in any number of important ways. And I am confident that we will always see that spirit in the future, as all of you join Americans across the country in taking up the truly timeless challenge that President Kennedy articulated four decades ago, always asking what you can do for your country, and always pulling through and helping others when that help is needed most.

Whether you are a professional police officer, or a volunteer Neighborhood Watch captain on your block… Whether you are a school teacher, or a volunteer tutor at your local community center… Whether you are a career military official, or a member of the National Guard or Reserves… Whether you become a titan of industry, or a volunteer coach with a softball team nicknamed the Titans… Recognize that your service is making a difference in the lives of the individuals you touch, and of the communities in which we all live and work.

Never underestimate the difference that each and every one of you can now make - as you leave this university and carry with you the experience, the motivation and the leadership skills you have developed here. Never, ever underestimate the potential of one, and never forget the strength of many working together.

If President Kennedy provided us with our mission statement four decades ago, then President Bush gave us our marching orders last fall, following the terrorist attacks of Nine-Eleven. I had his words inscribed on the walls of the Command Center at Metropolitan Police Headquarters: "We will not tire... we will not falter… we will not fail."

As I look out on this impressive and energetic and diverse group of graduates today, I am convinced - more than ever - that President Bush has captured the sentiment of our National Capital region and our nation as a whole. For none of you seems prone to tiring, to faltering, or to failing in the challenges that lie ahead. God bless each and every one of you, and your families. I wish you the best of luck and success as you continue to serve - and to lead - in an exciting new world, a "world truly without walls."