First African American Defense Secretary gives commencement speech at FSU

The first African American Defense Secretary delivered an inspirational speech at Fayetteville State University, Saturday afternoon.

In a 20-minute speech, Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III shared with graduates the importance of service and inspiration.

"Service means standing firm on the American principle that all people are created equal," said Austin. "Service means equality of opportunity for all of our children service means setting an example."

The U.S. Army, a four-star general, has ties to the city due to being assigned to Fort Bragg in the early 80s and the location where he met his wife.

"For forty years, I have been happily married to a woman I met here in Fayetteville," said Austin.

During the speech, he asked the class of 2023 to find inspiration to keep them motivated for the days ahead and shared who motivated him.

"My example came from my uncle who served in the Vietnam War as a Green Beret that would have been impossible a few years earlier," said Austin. "I still remember him coming home as a Green Beret and in boots and I thought to myself, I just got to do that; I got to have some of that."

For 41 years, Secretary Austin has served in the military and left graduates with some words on the importance of their future.

"The road may seem steep, I know you see the distance between where America is and where it should be and can be," said Austin. "But America's real promise is its democracy, and our democracy needs you. Each and everyone one of you.

Secretary Austin's wife Charlene attended the graduation with him and she is a 1982 graduate of Fayetteville State University.