Taiwan's West Pointer

All Taiwanese should be proud that Lee Wu-Ling will be graduating from the US Military Academy at West Point, New York, on May 29, 2004.

Through agreements, the US government has allowed selected foreign cadets to be enrolled at its service academies. Some of the more famous foreign cadets to have graduated from West Point since its founding in 1802 include former Philippine president Fidel Ramos and former Nicaraguan president Anastacio Somoza Debayle.

Lee Wu-Ling's graduation from West Point is a historic milestone for Taiwan. It is a recognition that there is a need to have junior officers in the military of an ally (like Taiwan) understand the military educational system of the greatest economic, political and military power in the world.

For a Taiwanese to be accepted into this prestigious institution is also an achievement. In the 20 years since I was a cadet there, the mission of West Point has not changed much: "To Train Leaders." The biggest change is the increased competition to win an appointment to the academy. As the New Jersey state coordinator for West Point's admissions office, I participate in the admissions process; approximately one out of every 15 applicants is accepted.

I met Lee Wu-Ling when he was a freshman and have seen him mature through his years at West Point. As the first Taiwanese-born American to graduate from West Point, I am proud to welcome him as a fellow member of the Long Gray Line!

As a Taiwanese-American, I urge all Taiwanese to cherish the accomplishments of Lee Wu-Ling and give him the support he will need to be one of the young leaders of Taiwan.

Dean Chang
New Jersey