President Reagan's Remarks at a Ceremony Commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the Normandy Invasion

Reagan Library Archives ^ | June 6, 1984 | President Ronald Reagan

[wagglebee]

You all knew that some things are worth dying for. One's country is worth dying for, and democracy is worth dying for, because it's the most deeply honorable form of government ever devised by man. All of you loved liberty. All of you were willing to fight tyranny, and you knew the people of your countries were behind you.

This is so much more fitting than ANYTHING Zero might say tomorrow.

[Dilbert San Diego]

I’m all ears waiting to hear what Obama has to say. Somehow I doubt his speech will be as inspiring as Reagan’s was on the 40th anniversary of D-Day.

With the passage of time, far fewer of the brave men who fought on D-Day are still with us. I hope whatever Obama says will honor those men.

[wagglebee]

He will probably find some way to blame America for it.

[wagglebee]

[romanesq]

The only thing greater than Reagan’s words is the men he honored.
Just reading it brings tears.

What a great American and a great President.

[wagglebee]

Very true.

[Thank You Rush]

I have been thinking about President Reagan’s appearance and speech at Normandy all this week and am so glad you posted it here. Thank you.

[Thank You Rush]

The speeches will be the difference between “high” class and “NO” class.

[LucyJo]

President Ronald Reagans Speech at Point-du-Hoc, Normandy

[Never on my watch]

Gawd, was that 25 years ago?

It still gives me chills.

[wagglebee]

President Reagan actually cage two speeches at Normandy twenty five years ago. This one (usually referred to as the "Boys of Pointe du Hoc" speech) is generally considered the better of the two.

Here is a link to the other one:

President Reagan's Remarks at a United States-France Ceremony Commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the Normandy Invasion

[wagglebee]

Now and then I am reminded that YouTube actually does serve a purpose.

[DieHard the Hunter]

> This is so much more fitting than ANYTHING Zero might say tomorrow.

AMEN. I wonder if Reagan wrote it himself? I bet he had some influence over the words: I can close my eyes and imagine him saying this speech, inflection and all.

[trimom]

And THAT is what an American President sounds like: proud of his country, proud of the US military and clear about what the United States is about, liberation, not conquest.

[LucyJo]

There are a lot of Reagan speeches there. It’s good to hear him. There is no doubt of the love he had for this country.

What a difference from the speeches of Barack Obama.

[DieHard the Hunter]

> I’m all ears waiting to hear what Obama has to say. Somehow I doubt his speech will be as inspiring as Reagan’s was on the 40th anniversary of D-Day.

Somehow I fear it will be insipid pap. If so it will be a shame because The Greatest Generation deserve so much more than rhetoric.

[wagglebee]

Reagan had speechwriters, this one was written by Peggy Noonan, but President Reagan certainly had a lot of input.

[mass55th]

I got to visit Pointe du Hoc back in 2006. It's a trip I'll always cherish.

The Monument dedicated by President Reagan. Unfortunately, it was fenced off, and we couldn't get any closer.

Views of coast from Pointe du Hoc:

The grounds are littered with craters from bombings:

[wagglebee]

Awesome pictures! Thanks for posting them.

[CASchack]

Hannity just replayed video of President Reagan delivering the speech.

Watching it saddened me, as it reminded me of why I so cherished this man as our President, supported his candidacy, and proudly voted for him.

Now, he is but a distant memory of a time in which our President expressed pride in this country, extolled its goodness to others on foreign soil, and held deep respect and gratitude for those who gave all for the United States.