“Take care of each other. Take care of those under your command. And as long as you keep strong that Long Blue Line, stay true to the values you’ve learned here—integrity, service before self, excellence—do this and I’m confident that we will always remain one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Congratulations, Class of 2016.” —President Obama at the Air Force Academy
“We live our values when our military, like America itself, truly welcomes the talents of all people. We’re stronger when our gay and lesbian cadets and troops can serve their country—a country they love—without hiding who they love. We’re stronger when cadets—like Wasim Soomro and Ismail Baumy and James Salem—know that we celebrate their service as proud, patriotic Muslim Americans who are also serving in our armed forces. And on this 40th anniversary of the first female cadets arriving at this Academy, we are stronger because General Johnson leads this institution; because Air Force General Lori Robinson leads Northern Command—our nation’s first female combatant commander; and because all combat positions in our military are now open to women like you. We’re stronger because of it.” —President Obama speaking to the U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 2016
“The alliance between the United States and Japan is a critical foundation for the security of both of our countries. That alliance has also helped to fortify peace and security throughout the region.” —President Obama
“Decide what it is that you care about deeply, and then put everything you have into doing that. If you’re interested in social media and you want to start a company, then focus on that. And if you’re interested in health care for people in villages around Vietnam, focus on that. And if you get good at that, naturally you’ll end up being a leader and you’ll have opportunities to do great things in the future.” —President Obama giving advice to young Southeast Asian leaders during a town hall in Ho Chi Minh
“A generation after young Americans came here to fight, a new generation of Americans are going to come here to teach and build and deepen the friendship between us.” —President Obama on the @peacecorps coming to Vietnam for the first time
“Over the past century, our two nations have known cooperation and then conflict, painful separation, and a long reconciliation. Now, more than two decades of normalized ties between our governments allows us to reach a new moment. It’s clear from this visit that both our peoples are eager for an even closer relationship, a deeper relationship. And I was moved to see so many people lining the streets as we were driving into town today. I bring greetings and friendship of the American people, including some outstanding members of Congress who are joining me on this visit, and so many Vietnamese Americans whose families bind us together and remind us of the values that we share.” —President Obama in Vietnam
“It is a testament to his character that Judge Garland is just as comfortable talking with a five-year-old about toy trucks as he is talking with his clerks about constitutional law.” Here’s what the clerks who worked for Chief Judge Merrick Garland remember most about President Obama’s Supreme Court nominee.
“The hope of freedom itself depends, in real measure, upon our strength, our heart, and our wisdom.” —President Eisenhower in his first State of the Union address in 1953
Tonight and tomorrow, we’re taking you back to past State of the Union addresses through the years as we prepare for President Obama’s final State of the Union on Tuesday at 9pm ET. See how you can watch at go.wh.gov/SOTU.
This photo is a throwback to President Roosevelt in his 1944 State of the Union address.
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