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In nod to normalcy, Pence celebrates Air Force Academy grads

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r m
Posted at 5:17 PM, Apr 18, 2020
and last updated 2020-04-18 17:17:46-04

AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. — Vice President Mike Pence delivered a commencement address to the U.S. Air Force Academy’s 2020 graduating class on Saturday.

The speech was a symbolic nod to normalcy and one aimed at showing the country is on a course to gradually reopen after weeks of the coronavirus shutdown.

But the event that usually attracts a big crowd to Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs was far different this year.

Friends and family were barred from attending.

Instead, hundreds of graduating cadets in blue and white dress uniforms sat eight feet apart and donned masks once the ceremony ended.

Pence said he hoped the ceremony would inspire those watching at home.