United States Secretary of Defense, Dr. Ashton Carter, visited Abington Senior High School today as the first stop on his Force of the Future tour.
A 1972 graduate of Abington Senior High School, Secretary Carter addressed an assembly of students, teachers, former classmates and friends, and guests on his visions for the future, the important factors related to our country and to national security, as well as his goal to excite young adults, who are among the best and the brightest, to be inspired to be a part of our country’s future in the military or as civilians working with associated careers. He was introduced by Abington junior Kayla Roberts who in her excellent speech described Secretary Carter’s educational and career background and highlights. Kayla stated that she hopes to go into the Air Force ROTC while in college, majoring in computer science or cyber security.
Secretary Carter spread the message that many opportunities with or supporting our country exist in the fields of technology, communication, intelligence, and the sciences, which provide very meaningful and valuable services to our citizens, to our country, and around the world. Dr. Carter was very complimentary about his education at Abington High School and the reputation of and education provided today by the high school. He repeated the slogan from his time at Abington – “Abington: First in the alphabet, first in achievement, and first in athletics.”
Students posed questions to Secretary Carter including his experiences at Abington High School; what courses he liked best; his visions for combating terrorists in the air and on the ground; assuring the opportunities and safety of women in the military; and how he has applied his Abington education to his career.
Secretary Carter also met with several former classmates, teachers, friends, and local officials today, reminiscing about times spent living in Abington and at Abington Senior High School. Before he left the high school today he was interviewed by Savannah Guthrie of NBC national news from New York.
Photos:
- Ashton Carter visit, including friends and faculty.
- More photos from Secretary Carter’s visit are available on the Department of Defense website. Click on “Photo Essays” and/or “Videos” from the drop down menu.
- Also, photos available at the Department of Defense Flickr website.
Articles:
- The Philadelphia Inquirer
- The Reporter
- Montgomery News
- NewsWorks
- The Intelligencer (need to be an on-line subscriber for the full article)
- DoD News
- Stars and Stripes
Video:
- Video with Savannah Guthrie on NBC TODAY, interviewed at an Abington Senior High School classroom (after the 30 second commercial)
Transcript of Secretary Carter’s Speech:
For more information about Secretary Carter’s education, career, and background, visit http://www.defense.gov/bios/secdef/