Cadets celebrate after commencement at the West Point graduation ceremony held at the Plain Parade Field at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., on Saturday. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
President Donald Trump speaks at the graduation ceremony. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
Military helicopters perform a flyover while cadets throw their hats in the air after commencement. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
It was the first time President Donald Trump addressed a West Point graduation ceremony. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
To keep in line with coronavirus mitigation efforts, no family or friends were allowed to attend the ceremony. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
Cadets arrive for commencement wearing protective face masks. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
Cadets were seated about 6 feet apart to limit the spread of COVID-19. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
President Donald Trump described the graduates as the "bravest of the brave." Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
President Donald Trump thanked the graduates for "answering your nation's call." Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
President Donald Trump touches a military vehicle that is on the grounds at The Plain Parade Field. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
President Donald Trump arrives on Marine One at the Plain Parade Field. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
June 13 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump praised the 2020 West Point graduates as the "bravest of the brave" during his first commencement address at the military school on Saturday.
The president traveled to New York to give the speech in person despite coronavirus mitigation efforts that made this year's ceremony unlike any other.
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"This premier military academy produces only the best of the best, the strongest of the strong, and the bravest of the brave," Trump told the cadets. "West Point is a universal symbol of American gallantry, loyalty, devotion, discipline and skill."
Trump thanked the graduates for "answering your nation's call" to join the Army.
Leading up to Saturday's event, the military school's 1,100 or so graduates quarantined together in groups of about 250 for two weeks in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The ceremony itself was socially distanced, with 6 feet between each graduate at Plain Parade Field.
There also were no guests in attendance at the commencement. Friends and family were allowed to watch via live stream at home.
Trump addressed his efforts to battle the virus during his address, blaming the pandemic on China.
"We will vanquish the virus. We will extinguish this plague," he said.