By James El-Mallakh–

On Thursday, March 1, U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta gave a speech at the Brown-Williamson Club at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium. Panetta focused his speech on the ideas of serving one’s country and national security. Panetta’s speech was arranged through the McConnell scholars program. The McConnell Center’s series brings one major national speaker every semester.

“For more than two centuries, our democracy has survived because our heritage is built on giving something back to the nation,” Panetta said. “That is at the heart of what public service is all about.”

Panetta spoke highly about the men and women in the armed forces who have, as he put it, “chosen the path of service.”

“Because of their sacrifice,” said Panetta, “we were able to bring the Iraq war to an honorable conclusion.”

“Afghanistan remains an extremely challenging campaign,” he said. “2011 was, in many ways, a turning point in that effort as well. We’ve begun to draw down our troops and transition to Afghan-led security and responsibility and we have seen the level of violence go down.”

Panetta spoke about the United States’ effort to weaken al-Qaida and the Obama administration’s decision to draw down forces in Afghanistan. He also spoke briefly about a “desire by countries across the globe…to increase their partnership with our military forces,” referring to the military’s increased cooperation with India, Australia and other regions in the Asia-pacific.

Panetta also spoke about the threats of ongoing war in Afghanistan, continued threats of terrorism as well as mentioning the “proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.” Panetta’s comments regarding nuclear weapons development were pointed at North Korea and Iran, rather than Iraq.

Continuing to speak about foreign threats, Panetta mentioned the growing threat of “cyber intrusions and cyber attacks.” Panetta referred to the possibility of a cyber attack as one of his greatest national security concerns. “We are literally getting hundreds of thousands of attacks each day that try to exploit our agencies or departments.”

Panetta also emphasized the risk posed by the United States’ “long-term debt and high deficits,” a topic which has become a focal point of political discussion.

“I refuse to believe that we must choose between our national security and fiscal responsibility.”

Near the end of his speech, Panetta reiterated his call on citizens and public officials to serve their country, “All of us in Washington need to demonstrate the same leadership that we counted on our troops to display in battle. They made sacrifices in order to achieve their mission; surely those of us in Washington can make sacrifices in order to govern this nation.”

Anthony Friday, a cadet in the Army ROTC and a sports administration graduate, found Panetta’s speech to be “very broad, very general, but it was a good inspiring speech.”

The audience included many military service members who are also students at the University of Louisville and soldiers stationed at Fort Knox. In 2012, the university has introduced two programs designed to aid veteran and active duty students. Vetstart is a business startup program that makes grants available to students who are veterans and are planning on starting a business. On Feb. 17, the university signed a memorandum of understanding with the Kentucky National guard that would enhance thier working relationship and allow the two organizations to collaborate more easily on PTSD research and degree programs for soldiers.

“It was great to have a major political figure, such as the Secretary of Defense, in a time when our national security here –and especially abroad, regarding countries such as Israel and Iran — is at risk and to get his input on the situation,” said Jonathan Michael, a McConnell scholar who is a junior psychology student. “It’s nice to have someone from the federal government recognize our state.”

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Photo: Shelby Stafford/The Louisville Cardinal