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Happy Memorial Day.
My favorite Memorial Day memory is from summer 2005 - I was in Washington, D.C. as part of Marquette’s Les Aspin Center internship program for the summer. We woke up early on Monday morning, and took the metro out to Arlington from our apartment on Capitol Hill. We camped out in the amphitheater, and the President delivered remarks suitable to the occasion just before noon. After the ceremony, we roamed the Cemetery’s hallowed grounds. It was a wonderful day in every respect.

In honor of the fact that Memorial Day is also a three-day weekend, I’ve elected to share some lighter fare:

The following is from the Commencement Address delivered by Vice President Richard B. Cheney last week to the graduating class of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy:

Throughout the corps we have hundreds of impressive, gifted men and women from all across America. There’s even a fourth-class cadet who comes from the same place I do, Casper, Wyoming. I’m told he’s on board the Eagle today, but he’s the only cadet from my home state in the entire Academy. Then again, I guess it’s never taken much manpower to defend Wyoming’s coastline. (Laughter.) We’ve never let enemy vessels get beyond Idaho. (Laughter.)

These remarks reminded me of the Commencement Address the Vice President gave to the U.S. Naval Academy Class of 2006:

As I learned about this class, I was naturally interested, as a resident of Wyoming, in how many graduates happen to come from my home state.

AUDIENCE MEMBER: (Cheers.) (Laughter.)

THE VICE PRESIDENT: That’s one of them. (Laughter.) Actually, I found out there are two in this class — one from Gillette and one from Rock Springs.

AUDIENCE MEMBERS: (Cheers.)

THE VICE PRESIDENT: I would have expected more, considering Wyoming’s maritime traditions and the breadth of our coastline. (Laughter.) But I will remind Midshipmen McFarrin and Rawson — (applause) — of the motto I used to have when I was the lone congressman from Wyoming: It may be a small delegation, but it’s all quality. (Laughter and applause.)

So for all of you who think the Veep is a dour, darth vader like figure, forget it!

• Remember when he was lampooned? - September 4th, 2008
• The Media has it both ways - September 3rd, 2008
• New MULS Law faculty blog - September 2nd, 2008
• Concluding Convention Thoughts - September 1st, 2008
• Another Nixon Observation - August 30th, 2008