Posted on 05/27/2002 5:43:08 PM PDT by blam
Bush tells Europe it is time to repay debt to America
By Philip Delves Broughton at Omaha Beach
(Filed: 28/05/2002)
Standing above the beaches of Normandy yesterday, President George W Bush reminded Europe of the debt it owed America for the Second World War and delivered a heartfelt call to arms in the war against terrorism.
President Bush delivers his Memorial Day speech at the US war cemetery in Normandy
The American military cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach has elicited memorable speeches from other American presidents, notably Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton, and Mr Bush lived up to his predecessors.
Under blustery skies and protected by possibly the heaviest security force seen in the region since the war, he said the bond forged between Europe and America in the fight against Nazi Germany had been "renewed" since September 11.
"Soldiers in many uniforms are defending the world from threats at this very moment," he said. Yesterday was the first time an American president had been abroad for Memorial Day, America's equivalent of Armistice Day.
It was no mere accident of scheduling. It reflected Mr Bush's concern that America should not feel isolated in the war against terrorism.
He began his speech with a mention of home. "We gather in this quiet corner of France as the sun rises on Memorial Day in America," he said.
Standing amid the 9,387 gravestones, each in the shape of a cross or Star of David, he said: "Our wars have won for us every hour we live in freedom. Our wars have taken from us the men and women we honour today . . . For some military families in America and Europe, the grief is recent, with the losses we have suffered in Afghanistan. But they can know that the cause is just and like other generations, these generations have spared many others from tyranny and sorrow."
He added: "Each person buried here understood his duty, but also dreamed of going back home to the things and people they knew."
Before arriving at the cemetery near Colleville-sur-Mer, Mr Bush accompanied President Jacques Chirac to Sainte-Mère-Eglise, the first town in France liberated on D-Day.
It was here, in the hours before the beach landings of June 6, 1944, that 13,000 men of the 82nd and 101st US airborne divisions landed. Unfortunately, a fire was raging in one of the town's buildings, so the skies were lit up as the parachutes fell.
One man fell into the burning house, another caught his parachute on the church belltower, dangling for all to see before being killed. But the Americans regrouped and soon drove off the Germans.
M Chirac spoke outside the church yesterday and said: "Monsieur le President, France knows what she owes America.
"In this region, so laden with history, I want to say thank you. For all the soldiers who spilled their blood in a land which was not theirs."
Despite France's anti-American reputation, its officials are far better disposed to America than they were 50 years ago. General de Gaulle refused to attend such ceremonies because he felt they were a reminder of French defeat.
M Chirac, by contrast, summoned France's historic ties to America, dating back to the late 18th century, when the two countries shared the ideas and practice of revolution. He said those ties survived, citing the recent suicide bombing in Karachi which killed 11 French engineers to show that France and America are seen as one by terrorists.
Despite the freezing drizzle, enthusiastic crowds greeted Mr Bush at both of his stops. At Omaha Beach, American veterans and tourists mingled with French school parties.
George Memoly, 83, from Palm Beach, Florida, was visiting Normandy for the first time since he landed on Utah Beach on June 9, 1944.
"The pillboxes are gone and it's a lot quieter now," he said, laughing. "When we landed it was pitch dark and we were being shelled, so I didn't really take in the sights. But at least back then we knew who we were fighting. Today, it's not so clear and the war's all fought on computers and through intelligence."
Simone Flandres and his friend Stephane Bellot, both 13 and visiting with their class from Bayeux, said their teacher had explained their visit to see Mr Bush in the context of September 11.
"It's great he comes," said Simone. "We love America like we love all the countries in the world."
The anti-American feelings so evident among the chattering classes of Paris were absent yesterday. René Benôit, the mayor of Dinon, a nearby town, said he had just hosted two New York firemen who asked to visit the Normandy beaches after experiencing September 11.
"Today is a very strong symbol of our friendship with Americans and an acknowledgement of what we owe them," he said. "They saved us. Of course we have economic differences, and there is a small fringe of anti-globalisation groups who don't like America, but they are minor in the context of our friendship."
After the presidents had laid wreaths at the cemetery, fighter jets flew overhead - four French, four American. The last one in the formation broke off and soared into the sky, disappearing into the clouds.(What is this salute called?)
Sam Leith in New York writes: In New York, Memorial Day celebrations were conducted against a backdrop of scuba divers combing the Hudson river for would-be underwater suicide bombers and naval officers scanning the city from an airship after fears of a terrorist attack. No incidents were reported.
Missing man formation, I think.
Americans went and died so that Europe could be free. If they have a problem with America or our beloved President I'd ask that they sit down and shut up.
Bless those that gave their lives for us and those that will in the fuire.
Thamk God NY is peaceful this week-end.
...
M Chirac spoke outside the church yesterday and said: "Monsieur le President, France knows
what she owes America.
"In this region, so laden with history, I want to say thank you. For all the soldiers who spilled
their blood in a land which was not theirs."
Thanks for this post, Blam.
President George W. Bush is a good man. This nation is so fortunate to have his leadership at this time in history.
I learned something today that I didn't know. They were buried facing west toward America. It breaks your heart to see all those crosses, to know that each one represents a young life, barely lived, and that they were so incredibly brave.
This country should never, ever send American soldiers to fight, and die, for ambitions that are strictly those of foreigners. America's own interests must be paramount.
I am so sorry. This is a heavy sacrifice for a family to bear. Was he involved in operation Market Garden?
Mmmmm... I don't think so. There was a man who got tangled up on the bell tower. He played dead so the Germans wouldn't shoot him. This worked. But he was later captured. Many GIs also recalled the awful sight of 'the dead guy on the bell tower.' But, happily, he lived. I'm looking through my copy of The Longest Day but right now I can't find the reference.
Yup, that's it.
They made a memorial out of the church. Someone posted all this info yesterday but, I can't find it either.
It was here...that 13,000 men of the 82nd and 101st US airborne divisions landed. Unfortunately, a fire was raging in one of the town's buildings, so the skies were lit up as the parachutes fell.
One man fell into the burning house, another caught his parachute on the church belltower, dangling for all to see before being killed.
I am delighted to confirm this is wrong! Here is what Cornelius Ryan says in The Longest Day:
"Private Steele, his parachute draped over the steeple of the church, hung just under the eaves... Steele had tried tocut himself down, but his knife had somehow slipped out of his hand and dropped to the square below. Steele then decided that his only hope lay in playing dead...He hung so realistically 'dead' in his harness that Lieutenant Willard Young of the 82nd...still remembers 'the dead man hanging from the steeple.' In all, Steele dangled there for more than two hours before being cut down and taken captive by the Germans."
It's a shame we have to "remind" our "allies" of the debt they owe the United States of America, for bailing their asses out of the Nazi scourge during WW2.
The Euro-Peeons ought to be ashamed of themselves.
"It is, in a way, an odd thing to honor those who died in defense of our country, in defense of us, in wars afar away. The imagination plays a trick. We see these soldiers in our mind as old and wise. We see them as something like the Founding Fathers, grave and gray-haired. But most of them were boys when they died, and they gave up two lives, the one they were living and the one they would have lived. When they died, they gave up their chance to be husbands and fathers and grandfathers. They gave up their chance to be revered old men. They gave up everything for our country, for us. And all we can do is remember." --Ronald Reagan
Nice to know the French haven't forgotten this
God Bless all the men that gave there lives there
I think President Chirac has heard the call. Despite his fussing about Kyoto and such, he did take the time to remember and say what France owes us. This is a good thing.
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