Kamala Harris has made history once again this Memorial Day weekend, becoming the first woman ever to deliver the US Naval Academy's commencement address.
The historic occasion occurred on Friday (May 28), with the Vice President addressing the class of 2021 and their family members at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis.
"Congratulations," she told the crowd. "You rolled up your sleeves, got vaccinated, and you made it to this day."
Harris was, fortunately, able to deliver her keynote address in person - marking yet another step away from the virtual world many of us have become accustomed to over the last year. The VP would even assist in handing out diplomas and shake the hands with Midshipmens - all without wearing a mask.
And despite being the first woman to give the address in the school's 175-year history, the 56-year-old Vice President made no mention of her trailblazing achievement, and instead focused on the "constantly changing" threats the 1,000-or-so graduates would have to face in their futures.
Per NBC News, Harris told the crowd: "A deadly pandemic can spread throughout the globe in just a matter of months. A gang of hackers can disrupt the fuel supply of a whole seaboard. One country's carbon emissions can threaten the sustainability of the whole Earth.
"This, midshipmen, is the era we are in. It is unlike any era that came before. So, the challenge before us now is how to mount a modern defense to these modern threats."
Harris continued: "We must defend our nation against these threats. And at the same time, we must make advances in things you have been learning, like quantum computing, artificial intelligence, robotics, things that will put our nation at a strategic advantage.
"And you will be the ones to do it because the United States military is the best, the bravest, and the most brilliant."
The crowd was also treated to a display from the Blue Angels.
Despite Harris' achievement, the Vice President has faced backlash over the weekend after sharing a tweet telling Americans to enjoy the long weekend - without any mention of Memorial Day.
Per the New York Post, Long Island Congressman Lee Zeldin even took the time to "finish" Harris' tweet, replying: "…and pay tribute to the courageous men and women of our nation’s military who sacrificed their lives in defense of our freedoms and liberties."
