On June 6, 1944 (D-Day), General Dwight D. Eisenhower issued this exceptional example of inspiring and challenging his listeners:
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 1944! Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41. 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 war on the ground. Our Home Fronts have given us an 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 and 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.
He’s realistic with his troops – they’ll “fight savagely.” But there’s a purpose at hand and worth fighting for – freedom. And they’re not alone as “the free men of the world are marching together toward victory.”
I try to imagine what it would have been like to read this proclaimation before going into battle, knowing full well that I could die that day.
Tomorrow we’ll see how President Reagan reflected on this event 40 years later and used the events of the past to inspire and challenge his audience of the present and future.
