NEW LONDON, Conn. -- Sporting a 10-gallon hat, Vice President Richard Cheney told newly minted Coast Guard officers Wednesday that they will lead a branch of service that is more capable and agile than at any time in its 217-year history.

Cheney delivered the keynote address for the 127th commencement of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.

Cheney told the graduates that they are an integral part in the country's fight against terrorism.

These are decisive times in our country. … The challenge that came to America on Sept. 11, 2001 will be the defining issue of your career," he said.

"I am convinced we will succeed in the war on terror, and I am convinced it will happen on your watch," Cheney said.

Cheney's visit was also met by dozens of protesters and counter-protesters outside the academy's main gate in New London.

The city issued permits to the Gathering of Eagles, a group that supports the war in Iraq, and St. Francis House, which opposes the war.

Ted Bakacs said he drove from Boston early Wednesday to join the nearly two dozen war supporters. They waved American flags and toted signs saying "Proud to be an American" and "Support our Troops."

"We're proud of our government," said Bakacs, an Air Force veteran. "We're proud to be American."

More than 100 anti-war protesters gathered in the center of the waterfront city and marched silently to the sounds of a slow drum beat to the academy gates. They carried placards that said, "War is Death" and "Dick Cheney: War Criminal."

Jason Ortiz, a 24-year-old University of Connecticut student, arrived early dressed as the grim reaper.

"I'm against people getting slaughtered so other people can make this money off of it," Ortiz said.

The demonstrators spanned generations from young adults to the elderly.

Ruth Hooke, 81, came from Amherst, Mass., and said she was part of an anti-war group calling itself the Western Mass. Raging Grannies.

"I think (the war) was illegal to begin with," Hooke said. "It was a war that we got lied into by Cheney and Bush."