Crests are used everywhere in the Army as a way to symbolize a particular unit amongst a large collection of people and ideas. Each year, the Fourth Class cadets of the United States Military Academy choose a motto and create a Crest in order to symbolize their values and the road from civilian to cadet to officer and beyond. These values are put to the drawing board and become a unique Class Crest that will represent the Class of 2012 in the Long Gray Line for the rest of eternity.

 The Class of 2012 motto is “For More than Ourselves” and is prominently displayed on a banner across the top of the 2012 Crest. It is a public affirmation of our commitment to selfless service for the remainder of our lives and based on our desires to protect and defend those whom we love dearly, and those we will never meet.

 The Officer and Cadet Sabers that intertwine with “2012” and “USMA,” respectively, remind us what drew us to our rockbound-highland home. We came to West Point so we could be officers in service of the nation, a nation of freedom and possibilities. Although we will soon leave our cadet sabers and beloved military academy behind, we will carry symbols of them with us always, and live our Seven Army Values of “Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, Personal Courage,” and the mantra of “Duty, Honor, Country” that was echoed in these same walls almost 50 years ago.

 The United States flag flies before the eagle on our Crest, and both are the strongest symbols of freedom in the world. The flag is showing eight stars, which stand for the year we came to this fine academy to begin our transition as cadets. The fierceness of the eagle spreading its wings symbolizes our preparedness and resolve to protect our nation and those that cannot protect themselves. Left-facing eagles symbolize war or a willingness to defend peace.

 Our left-facing eagle is also looking towards our Class Year, and thus will keep a never-ending vigil over our class and everything we do here at West Point and beyond, whether we serve during wartime or while defending the peace.

 Twelve stars line the bottom border of our Class Crest and represent the year we take ranks with the thousands of officers that have led our way in the Long Gray Line. The globe that serves as the base and support for our Class Crest represents both where we are now, and what our focus is. We are preparing for service to the nation and recognize that we are a part of something much bigger than ourselves. We recognize that our daily and life sacrifices are for the greater good of our nation, of mankind, and of the world. Although this is and will be a burden for us to carry as leaders of the nation, we also recognize and applaud the many that have supported us, some of whom are with us tonight. In all these things we know that for this night, our future sacrifices, and the road that lays ahead of each of us is “For More than Ourselves.”