President Biden To Speak At Coast Guard Academy Commencement

NEW LONDON, CT — President Joe Biden will deliver the keynote address during graduation ceremonies at the Coast Guard Academy on Wednesday, May 19. Commencement exercises will begin at 11 a.m. at Cadet Memorial Field.

The event will not be open to the public, according to a statement from the Coast Guard Academy. Attendance will be reduced from previous years and all attendees will be required to wear masks and socially distance.

Biden previously gave the commencement address at the Coast Guard Academy in 2013, when he was vice president.

The event marks Biden's first visit to Connecticut as president and has first commencement address to a military service academy as president, according to USA Today.

"We are honored to host the Commander-in-Chief as we celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2021, the future leaders of the U.S. Coast Guard," Academy Superintendent Rear Adm. Bill Kelly said in a statement. "It will be a memorable event for our community, as well as a great opportunity to showcase the Academy and the city of New London on a national stage."

Presidents speak at military academies on a rotating schedule. Former president Donald Trump spoke to the Coast Guard Academy's 2017 graduating class, USA Today reported.

The event will be available for viewing at the Coast Guard Academy's website.