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THE PRESIDENT'S READING COPY OCS GRADUATION Naval Base, Newport, Rhode Island March 12, 1971 It is a great pleasure for me to be able to share this occasion with you as you begin your service as Naval officers. 1. I began mine at Quonset Point and it has taken me twenty-nine years to cross Narragansett Bay, but I am glad to be here. (1) That is not meant to reflect on my training -- I think I was a pretty good navigator. 1. I just went the long way around. I do not contend that it necessarily means anything as far as your future is concerned, but it should be noted that the two Presidents before me were also Navy men and, of course, President Eisenhower first tried to go to Annapolis before finally ending up at West Point.