On behalf of the Australian Defence Force Academy, I wish to express our heartfelt congratulations on this, your two hundredth year of service to the United States of America.

The United States Military Academy West Point is a proud institution of military discipline and honourable conduct. Throughout the past two hundred years, with its proud and patriotic history USMA West Point has remained an energetic, vibrant institution that attracts some of the brightest young men and women to a career of duty, honour and country.

Australia is only now celebrating the centenary of our Federation. ADFA, just short of its 15th birthday, has a significantly shorter history but strive for the same ideals in leadership and commitment to the profession of arms. From the values and ideals fostered at our military academies, our officersshare an understanding of the quest for peace and respect for freedom that ensures we remain sympathetic to countries less fortunat