Photos by Kyle Green | The Roanoke Times

Graduating members of Virginia Military Institute stand at attention. Not since the end of World War II have so many cadets entered VMI with so much military experience, school officials say.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates (right), shakes hands with Jason Webb of Bowie, Md. Gates told VMI cadets that their service has never been in higher demand, nor their duties more daunting.

Virginia Military Institute graduates are showered with their own gloves after tossing them into the air to celebrate their commencement Friday.

LEXINGTON -- An increasing number of cadets graduating from Virginia Military Institute are joining the military, and more are serving even before they graduate.

"What a tribute to this institution and the values that it instills," U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates told 246 graduates during a Friday morning commencement ceremony in Cameron Hall. "For generations, VMI has graduated young people ready to raise their right hand and defend their homeland. This is something to be grateful for at any time period, but never more so than in a time of war."

Prior to Gates' speech, Jesse Burnette stood in front of his fellow graduating cadets and introduced himself to the crowd of families and friends.

"For those of you who don't know me, I'm a small-town Southern man from Marion, N.C.," said Burnette, this year's valedictorian, his voice thick with the drawl of his home state.

Burnette represents the face of today's young military officers ready to put their education and skills to the ultimate test. A history major with a concentration in military history, he will join the Army infantry as a second lieutenant.

"The one thing I've learned at VMI is that difficult decisions are a way of life," Burnette told the audience.

Just over 52 percent of VMI's 2008 graduates were commissioned into branches of the U.S. Armed Forces on Thursday. That's a significant increase from 2005, when 40 percent of graduating cadets sought military service.

Many VMI cadets are also serving with National Guard units in Iraq and Afghanistan even before they graduate. Ten are currently on active duty, and not since the years following World War II have so many cadets walked through VMI's barracks with so much military experience, according to school officials.

At the same time, VMI is experiencing its lowest rate of attrition in a decade. That's a testament to the willingness of young men and women to persevere through the school's tough regimen of education, physical fitness and military training, said retired Gen. J.H. Binford Peay III, the school's superintendent.

But VMI has also suffered casualties.

Eight alumni have died in Iraq. Last month, Marine 1st Sgt. Luke Mercardante, 35, a former ROTC instructor at VMI, was killed in Afghanistan by a roadside bomb. Mercardante was selected by the VMI Class of 2007 as an honorary Brother Rat in recognition of his impact on training cadets. It is considered to be the highest honor that a faculty or staff member can receive from cadets at the Lexington military school.

Gates said soldiers, political and civic leaders and public servants of all kinds are eternal optimists.

"We actually believe we can make the lives of others better," he said. "Whatever path you choose, the common denominator is that here at VMI you have learned the importance of public service and duty to your fellow citizens. Such service has never been in higher demand, or those duties more daunting."

Gates' speech wasn't all serious talk about sending soldiers off to war. While praising the parents and grandparents in attendance for providing the graduates a college education, he noted that supplementing their children's income will be a likely occurrence in the future.

"If you think you've written your last check to your son or daughter, dream on," he said, speaking from experience as the father of two children. "The national bank of Mom and Dad is still open."

Gates also quoted billionaire J. Paul Getty on his advice regarding how to get rich.

"He said, 'Rise early, work late, strike oil.' "