It is better to be here ready to protect the peace, than to take blind shelter across the sea, rushing to respond only after freedom is lost. We've learned that isolationism never was and never will be an acceptable response to tyrannical governments with an expansionist intent. But we try always to be prepared for peace, prepared to deter aggression, prepared to negotiate the reduction of arms, and yes, prepared to reach out again in the spirit of reconciliation.
My sister recently sent me a scan of a newspaper article from the Pickens County Progress about my great-aunt Sue, who was home for R&R during WWII. I barely knew her as I was very young. All I knew was that she was a navy nurse during the war. I was amazed to find out that she was at Normandy tending to fallen soldiers at the landing, earning a bronze star and purple heart in the process. 6 of her brothers were also in combat overseas at this time. Amazingly they all returned home alive. My sister has the flag with 7 blue stars on it.
I remember overhearing things about my aunt from relatives, regarding mental issues or even alcohol problems. Now, 50+ years later I understand if any of that might have been true. Can you imagine the horrors she must have experienced treating soldiers blown to pieces with just a basic medical kit on a beachhead with bullets whizzing by and grenades and mines exploding all around? I'd be trying to drink away those memories, too.
Reagan made another speech, a quote from which follows:
"In James Michener's book ``The Bridges at Toko-Ri,'' he writes of an officer waiting through the night for the return of planes to a carrier as dawn is coming on. And he asks, ``Where do we find such men?'' Well, we find them where we've always found them. They are the product of the freest society man has ever known. They make a commitment to the military -- make it freely, because the birthright we share as Americans is worth defending. God bless America."
Even in his prime, there's no way our current President could make a speech like either of those.
Ronald Reagan was inded, 'The Great Communicator.'
One of my aviation heroes, Bud Anderson, recently passed at 102. He was the last surviving 'triple ace.'
The VA estimates there are about 200 WWII veterans still alive.
What a great speech! And to think the media of that day ridiculed him. I f we were to land in Normandy today, CNN and MSNBC would announce the coordinates to the Germans.
Yes, President Reagan made a major excellent speech commemorating the turning point in the Allies' war against Hitler's Nazi war machine. But another 40 years have passed and conservatives are treating that speech as if Reagan himself was the hero and had climbed that daunting cliff himself four decades earlier. No, on D-Day it was Franklin Delano Roosevelt who was the American leader, who had, years earlier gathered a fantastic team around him: SecState Cordell Hull and SecWar Henry Stimson on the civilian side and Gen. George Marshall, plus military leaders Dwight Eisenhower and Omar Bradley in Europe and in the Pacific Douglas MacArthur and Admiral Chester Nimitz. (Suggested reading: The Rise of the G.I. Army, 1940-1941: The Forgotten Story of How America Forged a Powerful Army Before Pearl Harbor by Paul Dickson)
Reagan's effort was to reinspire us 40 years later and he did so eloquently. Trump should also be so inspiring. Yes the first burden is on Europe now comfortable, be we should not be totally isolationist. And by the way your FDR was a comsimp along with much of his entourage you do not mention.
Thank you for presenting President Reagan’s speech…one of his finest and an outstanding example of Presidential oratory. Most fitting and appropriate for the occasion.
It is moving to think that the time span since his speech is forty years; the exact same time span from D-Day to his commemoration speech.
"if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14
"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends." John 15:13
“Why? Why did you do it?” This a question Reagan asked in his speech.
It reminds me of a conversation between retired Marine Corps General John Kelly and Donald Trump at Arlington, where John Kelly’s son is buried. Trump asked a similar question. “Why did they do it?” But added another, “What was in it for them?”
Faith and belief, loyalty and love. Are there any leaders anywhere in the world who would embrace these concepts today? It's astounding to me that in a mere 40 years America has fallen to the point where we have Joe Biden and Donald Trump as our only options for president. Both of them are of low character and morals, they only serve themselves and their political parties. America will fall ... and likely soon.
40 years later we have forgotten...
It is better to be here ready to protect the peace, than to take blind shelter across the sea, rushing to respond only after freedom is lost. We've learned that isolationism never was and never will be an acceptable response to tyrannical governments with an expansionist intent. But we try always to be prepared for peace, prepared to deter aggression, prepared to negotiate the reduction of arms, and yes, prepared to reach out again in the spirit of reconciliation.
My sister recently sent me a scan of a newspaper article from the Pickens County Progress about my great-aunt Sue, who was home for R&R during WWII. I barely knew her as I was very young. All I knew was that she was a navy nurse during the war. I was amazed to find out that she was at Normandy tending to fallen soldiers at the landing, earning a bronze star and purple heart in the process. 6 of her brothers were also in combat overseas at this time. Amazingly they all returned home alive. My sister has the flag with 7 blue stars on it.
I remember overhearing things about my aunt from relatives, regarding mental issues or even alcohol problems. Now, 50+ years later I understand if any of that might have been true. Can you imagine the horrors she must have experienced treating soldiers blown to pieces with just a basic medical kit on a beachhead with bullets whizzing by and grenades and mines exploding all around? I'd be trying to drink away those memories, too.
Just for perspective, here's what was involved on D-Day:
- 11,000 aircraft of all types
- 7,000 ships/vessels of all types
- 13,000 vehicles of all types
- 1,600 tanks
- 130,000 infantry
- 24,000 paratroopers
There were approximately 14,000 casualties that day.
Reagan made another speech, a quote from which follows:
"In James Michener's book ``The Bridges at Toko-Ri,'' he writes of an officer waiting through the night for the return of planes to a carrier as dawn is coming on. And he asks, ``Where do we find such men?'' Well, we find them where we've always found them. They are the product of the freest society man has ever known. They make a commitment to the military -- make it freely, because the birthright we share as Americans is worth defending. God bless America."
Even in his prime, there's no way our current President could make a speech like either of those.
Ronald Reagan was inded, 'The Great Communicator.'
One of my aviation heroes, Bud Anderson, recently passed at 102. He was the last surviving 'triple ace.'
The VA estimates there are about 200 WWII veterans still alive.
God bless them all.
The REAL march against fascism had a few less signs and banners...
What a great speech! And to think the media of that day ridiculed him. I f we were to land in Normandy today, CNN and MSNBC would announce the coordinates to the Germans.
God blessed the USA. RR was the greatest president in my 68 year lifetime (by far)!!
https://youtu.be/vNaxTXfjfXk?si=Fr9L6xr-OUbpY7uB
Eisenhower at Normandy 1964.
Thank you, Erick, for posting this speech from our beloved Ronald Reagan.
Where's Reagan when you need him? We sure as hell don't have one now.
Sigh. Leave it to the Left to politicize even D-Day with shots at conservatives in general and Trump in particular. So sad.
Yes, President Reagan made a major excellent speech commemorating the turning point in the Allies' war against Hitler's Nazi war machine. But another 40 years have passed and conservatives are treating that speech as if Reagan himself was the hero and had climbed that daunting cliff himself four decades earlier. No, on D-Day it was Franklin Delano Roosevelt who was the American leader, who had, years earlier gathered a fantastic team around him: SecState Cordell Hull and SecWar Henry Stimson on the civilian side and Gen. George Marshall, plus military leaders Dwight Eisenhower and Omar Bradley in Europe and in the Pacific Douglas MacArthur and Admiral Chester Nimitz. (Suggested reading: The Rise of the G.I. Army, 1940-1941: The Forgotten Story of How America Forged a Powerful Army Before Pearl Harbor by Paul Dickson)
Reagan's effort was to reinspire us 40 years later and he did so eloquently. Trump should also be so inspiring. Yes the first burden is on Europe now comfortable, be we should not be totally isolationist. And by the way your FDR was a comsimp along with much of his entourage you do not mention.
Thank you for presenting President Reagan’s speech…one of his finest and an outstanding example of Presidential oratory. Most fitting and appropriate for the occasion.
It is moving to think that the time span since his speech is forty years; the exact same time span from D-Day to his commemoration speech.
"if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14
"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends." John 15:13
“Why? Why did you do it?” This a question Reagan asked in his speech.
It reminds me of a conversation between retired Marine Corps General John Kelly and Donald Trump at Arlington, where John Kelly’s son is buried. Trump asked a similar question. “Why did they do it?” But added another, “What was in it for them?”
Faith and belief, loyalty and love. Are there any leaders anywhere in the world who would embrace these concepts today? It's astounding to me that in a mere 40 years America has fallen to the point where we have Joe Biden and Donald Trump as our only options for president. Both of them are of low character and morals, they only serve themselves and their political parties. America will fall ... and likely soon.