Military Academy graduates' award event for Tom Hanks canceled: Trump congratulates

US President Donald Trump celebrated the decision of the graduating class of the United States Military Academy (USMA), known as "West Point," to cancel an event to honor actor Tom Hanks .

According to the Washington Post, Mark Bieger, president of the alumni group and a retired US Army colonel, said in a statement that the academy "will not hold its planned Thayer Awards Ceremony on September 25th."

"This decision allows the Academy to continue to focus on its core mission of preparing students to lead, fight and win as officers in the world's most lethal force, the U.S. military," Bieger said.

According to The Hill, the ceremony for presenting the award, which was initially announced to be given to actor Tom Hanks, was "abruptly" canceled. No explanation was given for the cancellation.

"AN IMPORTANT MOVE"

"Our magnificent West Point wisely canceled the award ceremony for actor Tom Hanks. A significant move," Trump said in a statement on his account on the US-based Truth Social social media platform.

Born in 1956, actor and producer Hanks' criticism of Trump and his supporters was recently reflected in the media.

HANKS AND HIS ROLES

The West Point Alumni Association announced in June that it plans to present the annual Sylvanus Thayer Award to Hanks this year.

The association had announced that actor Hanks would be deemed worthy of the award for his career supporting veterans, the military and the US space program.

Hanks, one of Hollywood's Academy Award-winning actors, has been noted for his roles and production contributions in many films, including "Apollo 13" and "Saving Private Ryan."

ACADEMY AND AWARDS

Known as "West Point," USMA is located on the banks of the Hudson River in New York City.

The academy, built on one of the country's oldest military bases, trains students who will serve as officers in the U.S. military.

The award, given annually, is presented in honor of the academy's "father," Sylvanus Thayer, to individuals who exemplify the mottos of "Duty, Honor, Country."

Previous recipients of the award include former US presidents Dwight Eisenhower, Ronald Reagan, and US astronaut Neil Armstrong.