[TXnMA]

Thanks to American Rhetoric for preserving this masterpiece of American oratory!

For an extra treat, visit their website and listen to the actual audio of General MacArthur's incomparable oratory.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And, while you're at it, notice that the General used the term, "victory" six times -- including in this immortal line:

"Yours is the profession of arms, the will to win, the sure knowledge that in war there is no substitute for victory; that if you lose, the nation will be destroyed; that the very obsession of your public service must be: Duty, Honor, Country."

~~~~~~~~~~

(You might be well advised to have tissues handy; I must admit that I found myself in need of them...)

[USMA '71]

As I recall, this speech was given without written copy or notes. Quite the effort.

[MajorThomas]

Ping

[TXnMA]

I never tire of this, but, in light of current events, I find it strikingly fitting -- and uplifting.

It is good to be reminded that America produced such greatness -- and that our language is still capable of such power and emotion...

~~~~~~~~~

I owe a debt of gratitude to my wife's octogenerian uncle, who recently reminded me of its power and majesty -- by quoting lengthy passages of it -- from memory!

Thanks, Don!

[Lurkina.n.Learnin]

My mom had a book when I was a kid. Great American Speeches. This speech was in it.

[Vigilanteman]

One of the ten greatest speeches in American history, in my opinion. It ranks right up there with the Gettysburg Address and Washington's Farewell.

MacArthur would have made a great president. He is one of the few men in history to have a monument built and maintained for him by the people that he ruled as a military occupation governor. Older Japanese rightly revere him.

[I got the rope]

wow.

[DuncanWaring]

You can also hear it here:

http://www.west-point.org/real/macarthur_28.ram

[Crolis]

My dad was fortunate enough to hear this in person, as he was a cadet at the time.

[Crolis]

My dad was fortunate enough to hear this in person, as he was a cadet at the time. I do believe there is an audio recording of this speech as well.

[Rummyfan]

Marking.

[Tax-chick]

This is terrific. I was not aware of the “American Rhetoric” site until now!

There is legitimate dispute about whether MacArthur was a great general (I’m on the “not really” side), but one can’t dispute that it’s a great speech.

[hjhough]

Great Speech and Great site. FYI, Sarah Palin’s speech at the 2008 Republican Convention is also on the site. It’s well worth re-hearing