All 978 members of West Point?s class of 2008 marched into Michie Stadium for the last time as students Saturday as part of their graduation ceremony.

The cadets officially became second lieutenants at the ceremony, which was attended by thousands.

This year?s guest speaker was Pete Geren, secretary of the army. Geren was welcomed by a formal salute from the cadets.

?Take pride in your record here at West Point, take great heart in a bright future and take competent and compassionate hold of the responsibility that awaits in your service to soldiers, their families and our nation,? Geren told the class.

After receiving their diplomas, the graduates took the oath of office and were sworn in as the army?s newest batch of second lieutenants.

?Over the past 47 months, we've had some really bad and really good times together and they've only made our ties stronger and we're truly dedicated to what we're about to do," graduate Amit Patel said.