There are dates that without hesitation are etched into the soul of our Nation. July 4th, April 12th, December 7th, September 11th, are all part of what defines the United States of America. June 6th, D-Day, is another one of those dates.
What exactly was at stake with the actions of June 6th? Simple soldiers tasked with freeing an entire continent from the grips of a madman…that’s all. Two great men expressed the full weight of the day, and with far more elegance than I, General Eisenhower and President Ronald Reagan.
General Eisenhower Letter to the Allied Forces:
Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force!
You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward
which we have striven these many months. The eyes of
the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty loving
people everywhere march with you. In company with
our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms on other Fronts,
you will bring about the destruction of the German war
machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed
peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free
world.
Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is
well trained, well equipped and battle-hardened.
He will fight savagely.
But this is the year I944 ! Much has happened since the
Nazi triumphs of I940-4I. The United Nations have inflicted
upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle,
man-to-man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced
their strength in the air and their capacity to wage
overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of
war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained
fighting men. The tide has turned ! The free men of
the world are marching together to Victory !
I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to
duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less
than full Victory !
Good Luck ! And let us beseech the blessing of Almighty
God upon this great and noble undertaking.
Dwight D. Eisenhower
President Reagan 60th Anniversary Speech:
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