834 ADDRESSES AND STATE PAPERS

It is a tribute to the United States military establishment that even
as it must train our citizens to be better soldiers, it encourages our
soldiers to train themselves to be better citizens.

Our State is proud that the University of Maryland has played a
pioneering role in this two-pronged attack for international peace and
individual fulfillment. And we are proud to have served the almost
one quarter million men and women in uniform who have attended
the University's European division since 1949.

The overseas student differs from his Maryland campus counterpart
in several significant ways. He is often more mature and more highly
motivated. He benefits from bringing the perspective of a broader
background in life experience to his classroom experience.

In many respects, you as overseas students have advantages which
surpass the typical undergraduate opportunity. Instead of being se-
questered in a cloistered campus, you are immersed in a "living labo-
ratory. " As you study German, you lose something in the translation.
As you study international relations, your daily routine makes you a
participant. You study music in the country that gave the world
Bach and Beethoven. You learn of diplomacy in the land of Bismarck.
And as it is true of you here in Heidelberg, the same opportunity
exists for American servicemen from England to Ethiopia, from Athens
to Oslo, from Istanbul to Saigon.

American military commanders provide the climate and the facili-
ties; educational advisors serve as the catalyst; librarians furnish their
resources; and the University provides the administration and the
faculty.

In many cases you have studied under outstanding teachers from
distinguished foreign universities. You have learned from them and
they also have learned — from you. This dialogue among those who
value education has played a significant role in international under-
standing.

The military, in cooperation with our University, has provided the
opportunity. But is was your dedication and your perseverance that has
given this opportunity meaning. Today, as the commencement class
of 1968, you have achieved your individual goal as well as proved our
national purpose. I am honored to share this moment with you, I
congratulate you and I salute you.