Virginia Tech, VMI and Richard Bland College students graduate

Virginia Tech

BLACKSBURG -- For a moment, it appeared that the timing could not have been worse.

As the band played the final notes of "Pomp and Circumstance" and the last of the students took their seats on Worsham Field, the first drops of rain began to fall. Black clouds rolled in from behind Lane Stadium's south end zone as Virginia Tech President Charles W. Steger addressed the Class of 2009.

But the clouds produced only a brief spittle of rain. By the time retired Air Force Gen. Lance L. Smith took the podium for his keynote address, it had stopped.

"Great call on the weather. Gutsy move," said the former NATO officer, turning to the stage behind him.

Smith then went on to deliver an address defending the role the United States plays in the world and criticizing those who don't applaud the country's efforts in Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa and Asia. He spoke about his perceptions of media bias on everything from war coverage to global warming and gave a lengthy defense of capitalism and denunciation of socialism. He encouraged the graduates to see the world to better appreciate the American system of governance.

"Please don't apologize for being an American," he said in closing, drawing cheers from the crowd.

The efforts of about 1,200 students were recognized at graduate commencement a few hours before degrees were awarded to about 4,000 students at the undergraduate ceremony.

Virginia Military Institute

LEXINGTON -- The nation needs military leaders who are disciplined, innovative and have integrity like those trained at Virginia Military Institute, the head of U.S. Central Command told graduating cadets yesterday.

"I would submit that now, more than ever, our nation and our world need leaders like those developed here," Army Gen. David Petraeus said in a commencement address to 249 seniors at the state-supported military school in Lexington.

The school's superintendent, Gen. J.H. Binford Peay III, said 131 of the graduates will go into military service.

About half of the school's graduates typically enter the military, but "that percentage in a time of war is especially commendable," Peay said.

Petraeus praised the courage of those who decided to serve, knowing they likely will be sent to a combat zone. He said their jobs will be challenging.

"The frustrations of many of the situations with which leaders deal in combat is real and constant," he said.

Richard Bland College

PETERSBURG -- In his address to graduating Richard Bland College students Friday night, John Charles Thomas said he could tell them that the world is a great place and they'll find what they're looking for -- but that would be the typical commencement address.

"But we know that things are turned upside down right now," said Thomas, a member of the board of visitors of the College of William and Mary. "Because things are that bad, you cannot give up."

Thomas instead encouraged the more than 125 graduates to work harder and ask themselves what a statesman would do and what they could do to make the country a better place.

"Part of making our country better is the education you get here," Thomas said.

He added that even the Founding Fathers knew that the United States wouldn't be perfect. They put it into the Constitution that they were striving to form a more perfect union. "You have to play your part in making this country better," Thomas said.

--From Wire Reports