Today marks 65 years since the first D-Day, the one where American, Canadian, British and other forces pushed through by force of will and blood the Nazi forces entrenched on the French coast at Normandy to eventually free Europe from Nazi tyranny.
In the history of the twentieth century, especially the history of America, I believe D-Day to be the defining moment of our nation in this era. Ever since then we have looked back, and been proud. Though an imperfect nation we are, and though there have been mistakes made, some on a massive scale, we can all look back to those young men charging up beaches in France and say that on that day, we did something exceptionally right and good. June sixth was the day that America got into the war in Europe, feet on the ground close combat, and it was the day that Germany lost the war. And today, through all the muck and mire of today's world every one of us can look back to that day on Normandy's beaches as the reason anyone anywhere in the western world lives in a free country, or doesn't speak German for that matter.
I leave whatever else need be though or said, to your minds and hearts, fill on this day I hope with love for those men, who charged and died for you and me and all people of the free world.
Twenty Five years ago today the twentieth century's greatest president stood at Pointe Du Hoc and spoke about the twentieth century's greatest day:
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