Cheney says Iraq surge is a success

NEW LONDON, Conn., May 22 (UPI) -- Vice President Dick Cheney told graduates of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy that the recent surge strategy in Iraq has "succeeded brilliantly."

Cheney was the speaker at the academy's commencement ceremony for the second time in four years, The Hartford Courant reported Thursday. This year, 217 young men and women graduated from the academy in New London, Conn.

The vice president told the graduates Wednesday they had the unusual experience of entering the academy during a war and graduating during the same war. He defended the administration's strategy in Iraq and the war on terror.

"The only way to lose this fight is to quit. That would be irresponsible," Cheney said. "More than that, quitting would be an act of betrayal and dishonor -- and it's not going to happen on our watch."

He joked that he envied the graduates because they know they will have jobs eight months from now.

DeCarol Davis, the valedictorian, is the first black woman to head a class at the academy. She reminded the graduates of the role the Coast Guard played in Hurricane Katrina -- possibly tweaking Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, who was on the platform with Cheney.