Sen. Kerry Delivers Commencement Speech to Attleboro's Maritime Academy Grads

Two Attleboro students received Massachusetts Maritime Academy degrees along with Sen. John F. Kerry. Sen. Kerry, on the Cape this past weekend. Sen. Kerry presented the 168^th  commencement address and was awarded an honorary degree.

Donald J. Doucette, a sergeant serving with the Massachusetts Army National Guard, was awarded a Master of Science in Emergency Management degree. Sgt. Doucette is a nine-year, full-time veteran of the U.S. Army where he served with the Bosnian Peacekeeping Mission and more recently with the Massachusetts Guard in Iraq. Doucette is the son of Nancy and Don Doucette from Attleboro.

Brian Lawrence Fuller, son of Lisa and Brian Fuller of Attleboro, received a Bachelor of Science in Facilities Engineering degree. Fuller will begin his real world experience as a member of the facilities staff at Jordan Hospital in Plymouth.

Sen. Kerry brought humor to the occasion, “thousands of people in Boston are honoring the Boston Bruins (Stanley Cup Rolling Rally), but you are stuck here with John Kerry.”

 And regarding the art of sailing as a personal aside, “my dad was a sailor – he did short solo voyages – this is an incredible place to go to school, a great sight for any sailor’s eyes.”

He also spoke of his ongoing attempts to bring Naval R.O.T.C. students to the Massachusetts Maritime Academy Campus and the nation's future role in the world. "What are we building for the next generation?" he asked. "Our strength at home determines our strength in the world.”

He cautioned that the nation must not lose sight of its heritage of American exceptionalism and pointed out the lessons of mutual cooperation within the nation shown by the joint efforts and ultimate success during World War Two or the nation’s bi-partisan efforts to explore outer space and land on the moon.

 “Positives stop not at the edge of the ocean, but at the edge of outer space.”

Linda Greenlaw of The Perfect Storm received Doctor of Humane Letters, and then went on to deliver the Charge to the Class of 2011 – “Your education can never be wasted. It becomes you.”

Greenlaw, an accomplished Maine sword fisherman and best selling author continued, “There is nothing better to say than, I am a fisherman.” Her charge to the graduates - pursue your life’s work with vigor and intent. Do your work to the best of your ability, “roll up your sleeves, get in there and get your hands dirty.” 

 The Massachusetts Maritime Academy’s 2011 Commencement concluded shortly following the toll of the midday bell – the water’s chill of winter was seeping and blending with a warmer and southerly Buzzards Bay breeze, which caused a wispy fog across the maritime campus, celebratory flags snapped and fluttered as a whoop went out from the graduating class. White uniform hats filled the sky.