WEST POINT – Vice President Mike and Mrs. Karen Pence attended
the 40th annual Henry O. Flipper award dinner Thursday night, named for
the first African-American to graduate from the US Military Academy back
in 1877.
The vice president said just as Cadet Flipper experienced many challenges while at West Point, so did this year’s awardee, Cadet Lars Lofgren.
“Two years ago Cadet Lofgren was tragically injured during a training exercise at Fort Campbell, Kentucky,” Pence said. “Since that day he has been paralyzed from the waist down, but he didn’t let that stop him. Less than 12 months later he participated in the 2016 Warrior Games where he won an astounding seven medals.”
Pence’s message to the entire Corps of Cadets and all branches of the armed forces was that President Trump and he have their backs and will stand behind them as they defeat terrorism.
“We will not relent in our effort until we have rebuilt the arsenal of democracy and ensure that our soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and coast guard have the resources and the training they need to accomplish their mission to protect our families and come home safe to theirs. That is our promise.”
Pence told the cadets they are “already true leaders and patriots.”
