WEBVTT 00:03.759 --> 00:04.759 Is it OK ? 00:31.940 --> 00:32.940 No . 00:45.150 --> 00:46.150 I . 02:11.330 --> 02:12.330 you . 02:21.419 --> 02:23.641 And then Monsieur , the chairman of the 02:23.641 --> 02:25.808 American Battle Monuments Commission , 02:26.889 --> 02:28.722 the General Damelare Michael X . 02:28.722 --> 02:31.369 Garrett , who plays entourage on this 02:31.369 --> 02:34.740 side of the elderly . Ladies and 02:34.740 --> 02:36.796 gentlemen , chairman of the American 02:36.796 --> 02:38.910 Botling Organization , uh , retired 02:38.910 --> 02:40.799 General Michael Xger and others . 02:48.179 --> 02:49.179 But it's Lord . 02:55.300 --> 02:57.133 Well , good morning , everyone . 02:59.210 --> 03:02.460 Distinguished guests . Ladies and 03:02.460 --> 03:05.720 gentlemen , On behalf of the American 03:05.720 --> 03:09.009 Battle Monuments Commission . It is my 03:09.009 --> 03:10.787 privilege to welcome you to the 03:10.787 --> 03:14.240 Normandy American Cemetery . As we 03:14.240 --> 03:15.907 commemorate the eighty-second 03:15.907 --> 03:17.907 anniversary of the D-Day landings . 03:19.389 --> 03:22.429 Most especially , I want to recognize 03:22.429 --> 03:25.509 the World War II veterans with us today . 03:26.570 --> 03:29.059 Thank you for making a long journey 03:29.770 --> 03:30.770 here . 04:05.199 --> 04:07.088 When you first come to the hollow 04:07.088 --> 04:09.310 grounds of Normandy American Cemetery , 04:10.169 --> 04:13.139 It's only natural . To be drawn 04:13.139 --> 04:14.750 immediately to the headset . 04:16.908 --> 04:18.075 It's quite a sight . 04:21.799 --> 04:25.420 They seemingly endless . Crosses 04:25.829 --> 04:28.910 and stars of David . Overlooking the 04:28.910 --> 04:31.029 very beach where so many lost their 04:31.029 --> 04:34.390 lives . It offers 04:34.390 --> 04:37.549 perspective . That can only truly be 04:37.549 --> 04:40.109 gained . By standing before him . 04:42.070 --> 04:45.630 You stand on ground made sacred , 04:46.149 --> 04:48.630 not only by sacrifices made along these 04:48.630 --> 04:52.589 beaches in 1944 . For my 04:52.589 --> 04:55.959 conviction . By the way , Something 04:55.959 --> 04:57.829 larger than beer . Yeah . 05:03.369 --> 05:06.660 of our nation A different generation of 05:06.660 --> 05:09.739 Americans make that same choice . In 05:09.739 --> 05:13.489 1776 , they pledged their lives , 05:13.660 --> 05:17.500 their fortunes , their honor to an idea 05:17.500 --> 05:20.100 that had never been fully realized in 05:20.100 --> 05:23.640 the world before . That liberty could 05:23.640 --> 05:26.730 be both fragile . And worth defending 05:26.730 --> 05:30.450 at all costs . That same thread of 05:30.450 --> 05:33.570 conviction runs through the generations 05:33.570 --> 05:36.899 representing . It did not begin 05:37.510 --> 05:41.079 on these beaches , and it certainly did 05:41.079 --> 05:44.679 not end here . As a tribute to those 05:44.859 --> 05:46.929 who are moralized at this cemetery . 05:48.130 --> 05:50.019 Behind me , you'll see the bronze 05:50.019 --> 05:52.410 sculpture entitled The Spirit of 05:52.410 --> 05:55.529 American Youth Rising from the waves . 05:56.730 --> 06:00.220 The statue reminds us . That what grows 06:00.220 --> 06:02.989 here along these beach two years ago . 06:03.859 --> 06:05.179 was more than simply 06:08.339 --> 06:10.730 It was the enduring spirit of the 06:10.730 --> 06:13.609 nation . These men did not face the 06:13.609 --> 06:16.410 enemy without fear . But within them 06:16.410 --> 06:18.632 burned the American spirit to fight for 06:18.632 --> 06:20.959 their lives . To fight for their 06:20.959 --> 06:23.640 brothers , to fight for their country . 06:24.540 --> 06:27.670 And to fight for liberty . That spirit 06:27.670 --> 06:29.670 came from all corners of our United 06:29.670 --> 06:32.390 States crossing the Atlantic to an 06:32.390 --> 06:36.100 uncertain fate . It rose through fear , 06:36.600 --> 06:39.480 through chaos , through bloodshed , and 06:39.480 --> 06:41.410 it came ashore with these men , 06:41.739 --> 06:45.119 indomitable , steadfast , unyielding . 06:46.679 --> 06:48.735 Inspired by their spirit , I look to 06:48.735 --> 06:50.846 the words etched beneath the statue . 06:51.700 --> 06:54.660 To these we owe the high resolve that 06:54.660 --> 06:57.859 the cause for which they died shall 06:57.859 --> 07:01.679 live . Our duty is not to just preserve 07:01.679 --> 07:04.500 this place . The marble headstones , 07:04.579 --> 07:07.959 the green grass , the bronze sculptures , 07:08.380 --> 07:10.829 we must preserve its meaning . And to 07:10.829 --> 07:14.140 do that is to realize that these graves 07:14.140 --> 07:17.290 do not call upon us . To be looked upon 07:17.290 --> 07:20.040 in admiration . They call us to 07:20.040 --> 07:22.151 remember who these men and women were 07:22.320 --> 07:25.160 in life and to reflect on why their 07:25.160 --> 07:28.760 sacrifices still matter in a world that 07:28.760 --> 07:31.929 looks very different today . Each 07:31.929 --> 07:34.096 generation has faced moments where the 07:34.096 --> 07:36.239 defense of liberty required difficult 07:36.500 --> 07:39.489 and consequential decisions . Here at 07:39.489 --> 07:42.970 Normandy , that truth stands plainly 07:42.970 --> 07:45.609 before us . And across our history , 07:45.649 --> 07:49.410 that same cost has been borne again and 07:49.410 --> 07:52.649 again by Americans who rose up and 07:52.649 --> 07:55.910 stepped forward when called . And so 82 07:55.910 --> 07:58.350 years removed from that mourning as you 07:58.350 --> 08:00.572 walk amongst these graves , as you read 08:00.572 --> 08:03.010 the names of those still missing , 08:03.309 --> 08:06.390 resolve to carry them with you , their 08:06.390 --> 08:09.730 names , their fighting spirit . Their 08:09.730 --> 08:12.959 memory That is how we remember their 08:12.959 --> 08:16.440 sacrifice and honor it faithfully and 08:16.440 --> 08:19.140 ensure that the freedoms secured here 08:19.600 --> 08:22.720 are never taken for granted . Thank you . 08:29.470 --> 08:32.900 Thank you , Chairman Garrett . Madame 08:32.900 --> 08:34.900 Monsieur vou voulevelambe pronounce 08:34.900 --> 08:38.219 parlor coronel Brian Coyne . 08:39.598 --> 08:41.820 Ladies and gentlemen , please stand for 08:41.820 --> 08:43.709 the invocation to be delivered by 08:43.709 --> 08:46.919 Colonel Brian Corn , Coyne , United 08:46.919 --> 08:49.086 States Army Chaplain Corps , US Army , 08:49.086 --> 08:52.020 Europe and Africa . I invite you to 08:52.020 --> 08:55.760 join me in prayer . Almighty God , on 08:55.760 --> 08:59.090 this sacred morning . As the salt air 08:59.090 --> 09:01.530 drifts in from the coasts and the flags 09:01.530 --> 09:04.969 flutter . In front of rows of crosses 09:04.969 --> 09:07.599 and stars , we gather in reverence and 09:07.599 --> 09:11.049 gratitude . Here where the fields still 09:11.049 --> 09:13.049 echo with the footsteps of heroes , 09:13.049 --> 09:15.609 help us remember those who stormed 09:15.609 --> 09:17.849 these shores , who braved the roar of 09:17.849 --> 09:19.960 guns and the shadow of uncertainty so 09:19.960 --> 09:22.710 that freedom might prevail . We thank 09:22.710 --> 09:25.030 you for the giants whose courage shaped 09:25.030 --> 09:27.190 history , whose sacrifice laid the 09:27.190 --> 09:29.570 foundation for the liberty we cherish , 09:29.969 --> 09:32.025 and for those who gave the last full 09:32.025 --> 09:34.789 measure of devotion , given their lives 09:34.789 --> 09:37.409 for their friends and the republic . 09:38.179 --> 09:40.235 Their names are etched in marble and 09:40.235 --> 09:42.346 memory , their stories woven into the 09:42.346 --> 09:45.099 very earth beneath our feet as we stand 09:45.099 --> 09:47.266 among these silent sentinels , help us 09:47.266 --> 09:50.059 to honor their legacy not only with 09:50.059 --> 09:52.419 solemn words but with lives that 09:52.419 --> 09:55.469 reflect their valor and resolve . May 09:55.469 --> 09:57.950 our ceremony today be a tribute worthy 09:57.950 --> 10:01.229 of their sacrifice . Grant us the grace 10:01.229 --> 10:03.710 to remember deeply , to honor truly , 10:03.750 --> 10:06.590 and to stand tall on the shoulders of 10:06.590 --> 10:09.710 those who came before us . We pray in 10:09.710 --> 10:12.349 your matchless name . Amen . 10:15.780 --> 10:16.836 Please be seated . 10:20.580 --> 10:21.580 Mr . 10:28.400 --> 10:31.549 Mr . Arthur Rose , Ancient combatant de 10:31.549 --> 10:35.530 la . I have the honor of presenting 10:35.530 --> 10:37.474 the officials who will deliver the 10:37.474 --> 10:39.969 D-Day addresses . First , World War II 10:39.969 --> 10:42.190 veteran Mr . Arthur Rose . 11:25.010 --> 11:28.549 This is 10 7 year old Arthur Rose . 11:30.400 --> 11:32.400 As a young lieutenant in the United 11:32.400 --> 11:35.039 States Navy , he wrote a letter home 11:35.039 --> 11:38.609 just days after the invasion . Arthur 11:38.609 --> 11:40.887 is going to read that letter right now . 11:57.599 --> 11:59.039 June 11th . 11:59.940 --> 12:02.880 1944 . 12:04.039 --> 12:07.059 Dear mom and dads and kids . 12:09.830 --> 12:11.570 After a month . 12:14.400 --> 12:18.219 About a month after we landed , I had a 12:19.099 --> 12:22.630 feeling I might be part of the invasion . 12:23.690 --> 12:27.419 I couldn't quite believe though I , 12:28.460 --> 12:32.039 I kept thinking that what 12:32.270 --> 12:35.229 could I possibly do in an 12:35.229 --> 12:39.059 invasion , pull engines in 12:39.059 --> 12:42.859 the middle of a battle , change 12:42.859 --> 12:45.159 injectors , or . 12:50.190 --> 12:53.960 Or I figured men like me and 12:54.270 --> 12:57.429 me , we could , uh , come along 12:57.429 --> 13:00.539 afterwards . Oh , after the . Uh , 13:01.169 --> 13:04.530 smoke , the wreckage , wreckage , and 13:04.530 --> 13:07.950 the damage had passed , 13:08.489 --> 13:11.849 but 22 13:11.849 --> 13:14.729 weeks before D-Day , I was 13:19.440 --> 13:23.179 Told I would go along and 13:23.179 --> 13:27.000 do whatever I could . We 13:27.000 --> 13:30.630 had moved to the assault 13:30.630 --> 13:33.820 port . Thousands of ships , landing 13:33.820 --> 13:37.309 craft of every description filled the 13:37.309 --> 13:40.460 harbor , and everyone worked day and 13:40.460 --> 13:43.989 night preparing for the . Um , 13:44.570 --> 13:47.719 for fuel , provisions , uh , 13:47.890 --> 13:49.239 ammunition , per . 13:51.130 --> 13:54.869 Um , secret material , 13:55.849 --> 13:59.090 everything , uh , checked and rechecked 13:59.090 --> 14:01.169 and checked again . 14:03.010 --> 14:05.469 You can imagine the 14:06.090 --> 14:08.729 confusion . Uh , 14:09.950 --> 14:12.940 uh , and , uh , activity , 14:13.130 --> 14:16.770 activity . Then came the 14:16.770 --> 14:20.489 day and we had , we , 14:22.330 --> 14:24.770 we began loading supplies for the 14:24.770 --> 14:26.799 invasion , um , 14:29.369 --> 14:32.369 blankets , food , food , blankets , 14:32.450 --> 14:34.250 ammunition needed . 14:41.729 --> 14:44.549 Supplies and all the 14:44.849 --> 14:46.969 countless things 14:48.969 --> 14:52.409 that would be needed once the men 14:52.409 --> 14:56.090 landed in France . We 14:56.090 --> 14:59.890 knew then the invasion could not be 14:59.890 --> 15:03.830 far . Then came 15:03.830 --> 15:07.669 the word . Um , D-Day will 15:07.729 --> 15:11.479 be June . You know , June , 15:11.599 --> 15:15.580 yeah , uh . I 15:15.580 --> 15:18.989 probably can , can't describe the 15:18.989 --> 15:22.929 feeling exactly . Um , it wasn't 15:22.929 --> 15:26.539 fear and it wasn't excitement , just a 15:26.539 --> 15:30.179 funny feeling uh that uh in the 15:30.179 --> 15:33.650 summit . Uh , nervousness , 15:33.989 --> 15:35.580 uh , uh , 15:39.109 --> 15:40.989 what's that word , expectancy , 15:41.549 --> 15:44.849 expectancy , and , uh , wondering , 15:45.070 --> 15:48.840 uh , what was going to 15:48.840 --> 15:49.869 happen next . 15:55.229 --> 15:56.989 Then we sailed . 15:58.250 --> 16:01.590 The sea was rough , 16:02.450 --> 16:05.539 windy , and Miserable . 16:09.340 --> 16:12.739 I was seasick most of the 16:12.739 --> 16:14.919 time . Everyone 16:15.820 --> 16:18.960 expected bombing , 16:19.739 --> 16:23.729 submarines , battleships , and all . 16:24.969 --> 16:28.590 Hell to break loose at any 16:28.590 --> 16:32.080 moment . But the 16:33.590 --> 16:37.099 First attempt was called off . Oh , 16:37.109 --> 16:39.229 I remember that , uh . 16:41.840 --> 16:44.919 The sea was too rough because the sea 16:44.919 --> 16:48.760 was too rough and uh we uh . 16:52.369 --> 16:55.640 We returned to the harbor . That was a 16:55.640 --> 16:57.849 real Yeah . 16:59.590 --> 17:01.820 I didn't hear it . A real letdown , 17:03.400 --> 17:07.050 a real , a letdown . 17:09.439 --> 17:13.319 OK . Next . The next day , we 17:13.319 --> 17:16.819 sailed again . At the uh 17:17.839 --> 17:21.520 nearest near the coast of near the 17:21.520 --> 17:24.280 coast of France , we couldn't 17:24.839 --> 17:27.920 see we could see flashes in the 17:27.920 --> 17:31.189 distance and hear um 17:32.500 --> 17:35.699 explosions continuously . 17:53.530 --> 17:55.810 A shower had come . 17:57.400 --> 18:00.260 In in went the landing craft . We 18:00.260 --> 18:03.589 expected terrible destruction . There 18:03.589 --> 18:07.550 was a , a shelling , yes , and 18:07.550 --> 18:11.540 then . Men died , uh , 18:12.349 --> 18:15.589 but not the 18:15.589 --> 18:18.829 Holocaust we had imagined . 18:20.079 --> 18:23.750 At the uh At 18:23.750 --> 18:27.030 times , the , the , at times what it 18:27.030 --> 18:30.310 was strangely quiet . It , oh , at in 18:30.310 --> 18:33.900 at times it was strangely quiet , uh , 18:34.069 --> 18:37.839 and now and showed , uh , 18:37.849 --> 18:41.810 slowly , slowly the beach , uh , became , 18:42.349 --> 18:44.750 uh , ours then . 18:46.119 --> 18:48.319 And our , our work was 18:50.479 --> 18:51.500 truly began . 18:54.839 --> 18:58.000 Back and forth , back and forth , day 18:58.000 --> 19:00.500 and night and bringing 19:01.780 --> 19:05.439 men , more men , uh , more supplies , 19:05.599 --> 19:06.719 more equipment . 19:13.329 --> 19:15.930 Food , medical supplies , 19:16.050 --> 19:19.719 ammunition , uh , when , 19:19.729 --> 19:23.449 uh , what they had once been just 19:23.449 --> 19:27.030 another , uh , stretch of French coast , 19:27.729 --> 19:31.670 uh , had suddenly become a vast 19:31.890 --> 19:35.729 harbor filled with , uh , hundreds 19:35.729 --> 19:38.989 of ships and 19:39.050 --> 19:42.290 thousands of men . 19:45.689 --> 19:47.709 I don't remember writing this . 19:50.569 --> 19:52.569 This is the best part . This is the 19:52.569 --> 19:55.459 best part . What the , what a country 19:55.959 --> 19:59.270 we are . I will 19:59.270 --> 20:02.489 always be grateful 20:03.229 --> 20:06.829 to my commander for 20:07.349 --> 20:11.030 taking me along . Don't 20:13.089 --> 20:15.709 Worry about me . I am 20:16.449 --> 20:20.050 well and whole and happy . 20:25.770 --> 20:27.569 Love , art . 20:36.680 --> 20:39.660 10 7 year old Arthur Rose , United 20:39.660 --> 20:42.500 States Navy D-Day veteran , French 20:42.500 --> 20:44.056 Legion of Honor recipient . 20:53.060 --> 20:55.116 I am the French Minister of Armi . I 20:55.116 --> 20:54.530 just want to thank you . 21:00.530 --> 21:03.170 Congratulations pleasure . Thank you 21:03.170 --> 21:04.369 for telling me . 21:08.619 --> 21:10.841 Sit down . Yeah , we're gonna go to the 21:10.841 --> 21:11.841 wheelchair . 21:20.890 --> 21:21.890 Good job . 21:37.319 --> 21:39.500 Thank you , Mr . Arthur Rose . 21:53.800 --> 21:55.856 Gen General Dame , Dan Raisin cane , 21:55.890 --> 21:58.619 chef detamajor des Arma 21:58.619 --> 22:02.140 destajonidamarieron laparole . 22:03.170 --> 22:06.160 General Dan Razin Kane , Chairman of 22:06.160 --> 22:08.216 the Joint Chiefs of Staff , will now 22:08.216 --> 22:11.839 deliver his remarks . Well , thank you 22:11.839 --> 22:14.760 very much and good morning , everyone . 22:14.959 --> 22:17.400 uh , Mr . Secretary , members of 22:17.400 --> 22:19.760 Congress , ambassadors , leaders , 22:19.969 --> 22:22.839 general officers , uh , but most 22:22.839 --> 22:26.560 importantly , our 29 World War II 22:26.560 --> 22:28.640 veterans in the crowd today . Let's 22:28.640 --> 22:30.640 give them all a round of applause . 22:37.300 --> 22:40.709 And Mr . Rose , sir , your 22:40.709 --> 22:43.459 letter was awesome . I will let you 22:43.459 --> 22:46.739 know , sir , that we still check things , 22:46.989 --> 22:49.359 check them again , check them again , 22:49.869 --> 22:52.739 uh , based on the example that you gave 22:52.739 --> 22:55.979 us , and never in my life have I been 22:55.979 --> 22:58.989 so humbled , honored , or nervous to 22:58.989 --> 23:02.219 follow somebody than I am following you , 23:02.420 --> 23:05.400 sir , and talking . So , so thank you 23:05.400 --> 23:09.199 commanding a fleet of 36 vessels . 23:09.979 --> 23:13.079 You made sure the men on the beach 23:13.380 --> 23:16.699 had what they needed . They could move 23:16.699 --> 23:19.660 forward , advance , and close with the 23:19.660 --> 23:23.160 savage enemy , and the landing force 23:23.420 --> 23:26.849 would have failed without you and your 23:26.849 --> 23:28.959 brothers in those craft . 23:30.680 --> 23:33.780 Sir , on behalf of 2.8 million men , 23:34.150 --> 23:37.469 2.8 million men and women in our joint 23:37.469 --> 23:40.849 force , thank you for the perfect gift 23:40.849 --> 23:43.949 of a great example to you and to your 23:43.949 --> 23:46.171 teammates here today . Another round of 23:46.171 --> 23:47.727 applause for our veterans . 23:55.750 --> 23:59.709 82 years ago on a morning much like 23:59.709 --> 24:02.430 today , and I bet the weather was a lot 24:02.430 --> 24:05.729 like today , the fate of the world 24:06.089 --> 24:09.189 was decided on the beach just off to 24:09.189 --> 24:12.199 our right . As we stand here 24:12.199 --> 24:15.520 overlooking Omaha Beach and off in the 24:15.520 --> 24:17.079 distance , we see 24:17.079 --> 24:20.810 9,387 24:21.000 --> 24:24.160 of our fallen brothers and sisters and 24:24.160 --> 24:28.109 1,557 24:28.439 --> 24:31.479 names on the walls of the missing . 24:32.229 --> 24:36.119 I'm deeply humbled by the immense , 24:36.349 --> 24:39.380 immense weight of their sacrifice . 24:40.599 --> 24:44.439 You can feel them here . The men and 24:44.439 --> 24:46.800 women buried here and their brothers 24:46.800 --> 24:50.760 and sisters are so fortunate to 24:50.760 --> 24:53.199 have given us the gift that we have 24:53.199 --> 24:56.439 today . They were ordinary people from 24:56.439 --> 24:59.099 all over the United States of America 24:59.800 --> 25:02.819 who answered the call to serve and 25:02.819 --> 25:05.520 through their great example showed us 25:05.520 --> 25:09.239 what extraordinary looks like . They 25:09.239 --> 25:11.719 crossed an ocean to fight for their 25:11.719 --> 25:15.069 country . On a continent that they'd 25:15.069 --> 25:19.020 never seen . To save a people they did 25:19.020 --> 25:22.810 not know . They were young men of 25:22.810 --> 25:26.209 purpose , resolve , and action . 25:27.520 --> 25:29.750 And that is what we remember today 25:30.250 --> 25:32.989 absolute unwavering 25:33.329 --> 25:36.189 selflessness , a beautiful , 25:36.609 --> 25:39.989 perfect example for those of us 25:40.329 --> 25:42.770 still today in the service of our 25:42.770 --> 25:45.290 country , the gift of that example . 25:46.020 --> 25:48.060 The soldiers , sailors , marines , 25:48.219 --> 25:51.199 airmen , coast guard men of the Allied 25:51.459 --> 25:54.640 forces risked everything . And 25:54.640 --> 25:58.040 thousands gave us the ultimate 25:58.040 --> 26:01.229 sacrifice . They gave their lives for 26:01.229 --> 26:03.396 strangers . They did this because they 26:03.396 --> 26:06.780 were good and were committed to ridding 26:06.780 --> 26:10.349 the world of evil . Today we 26:10.349 --> 26:13.160 remember the crew of the USS Cory . 26:13.969 --> 26:16.025 That delivered covering fire for the 26:16.025 --> 26:19.839 landings on Utah Beach . She 26:19.839 --> 26:22.839 provided fire support 1000 yards from 26:22.839 --> 26:25.920 the beach , and after several hits from 26:25.920 --> 26:29.300 German guns and striking a mine , she 26:29.300 --> 26:31.859 sank in the cold , choppy water . 26:32.900 --> 26:36.329 Just imagine for a minute , 1000 yards 26:36.510 --> 26:39.589 off the beach , what it looked like 26:39.589 --> 26:42.030 here on this hallowed ground , what it 26:42.030 --> 26:45.349 sounded like , the smell , the taste , 26:45.589 --> 26:49.069 the chaos . 24 of her crew were killed 26:49.069 --> 26:51.750 that day , including Chief Machinist 26:51.750 --> 26:54.430 mate Bernard John Peterson from 26:54.430 --> 26:57.829 Nebraska , Seaman First Class Robert 26:57.829 --> 27:01.400 Thompson from Texas . And Gunner's mate 27:01.400 --> 27:03.650 2nd Class Paul Stambaugh from 27:03.650 --> 27:07.579 Pennsylvania . They died to protect the 27:07.579 --> 27:10.260 soldiers on the beach , men they never 27:10.260 --> 27:13.709 knew . Today we remember the pilots who 27:13.709 --> 27:15.876 gave their lives to protect the ground 27:15.876 --> 27:18.500 force . Men like First Lieutenant 27:18.500 --> 27:22.319 Harold Lacey Ross Jr . A P-51 27:22.319 --> 27:24.930 Mustang fighter pilot who was flying 27:24.930 --> 27:27.569 deep in northern France attacking 27:27.569 --> 27:30.010 German forces on the ground that were 27:30.010 --> 27:32.890 headed to the beach . As he finished a 27:32.890 --> 27:35.479 strafing run and came off target , 15 27:35.479 --> 27:37.890 German fighters attacked him . He 27:37.890 --> 27:40.530 fought for his life . He was shot down 27:40.530 --> 27:43.530 and killed , and he lies among his 27:43.530 --> 27:46.050 soldier brothers he died to protect 27:46.050 --> 27:49.010 here today , men he never knew . 27:50.449 --> 27:52.560 Today we remember the Coast Guard men 27:52.560 --> 27:56.530 of LCI 94 that delivered soldiers to 27:56.530 --> 27:59.930 the beach over and over and 27:59.930 --> 28:03.550 over again . As the landing craft came 28:03.550 --> 28:05.606 to the beach , they were immediately 28:05.606 --> 28:08.089 engaged by artillery and machine gun 28:08.089 --> 28:11.260 fire . They disembarked their 28:11.260 --> 28:14.880 troops . And rather than head to safety 28:14.880 --> 28:17.359 further out , they saw a Higgins boat 28:17.359 --> 28:20.319 in distress and they moved towards that . 28:21.410 --> 28:23.410 As they moved towards that target , 28:23.410 --> 28:25.743 artillery rounds struck the pilot house , 28:25.859 --> 28:28.459 and 3 Coast Guardsmen , August Buncek , 28:29.079 --> 28:32.660 Fletcher Burton , and Jack Denuzio were 28:32.660 --> 28:35.239 instantly killed trying to save men 28:35.699 --> 28:39.209 they never knew . Just for a minute , 28:39.790 --> 28:42.099 imagine that landing craft coming 28:42.099 --> 28:45.619 ashore and then . The 28:45.619 --> 28:49.089 ramp drops . And you're a 28:49.089 --> 28:52.739 soldier on that landing craft . Men 28:52.739 --> 28:56.109 like First Lieutenant Jimmy Monteith Jr . 28:57.390 --> 28:59.910 of the First Infantry Division . Jimmy 28:59.910 --> 29:03.199 landed right here on Omaha Beach under 29:03.199 --> 29:06.890 heavy fire . Refusing to take cover , 29:07.130 --> 29:10.130 he moved continuously back and forth , 29:10.219 --> 29:13.089 up and down the beach , rallying his 29:13.089 --> 29:15.810 scattered and pinned down soldiers . 29:17.229 --> 29:19.479 With complete disregard for his own 29:19.479 --> 29:22.319 safety , he rallied his forces and led 29:22.319 --> 29:25.680 an assault off the beach , across an 29:25.680 --> 29:29.180 exposed flat , and up the cliffs just 29:29.359 --> 29:32.619 off our right side . When Allied tanks 29:32.619 --> 29:35.479 arrived , Jimmy crossed an open field 29:36.260 --> 29:39.140 on foot , walking directly through an 29:39.140 --> 29:42.180 active minefield under constant machine 29:42.180 --> 29:45.439 gun fire to guide those Allied tanks 29:45.699 --> 29:49.400 towards enemy pillboxes . He continued 29:49.400 --> 29:51.520 to lead the defense of this hard-won 29:51.520 --> 29:54.699 position against overwhelming odds 29:55.239 --> 29:57.599 until ultimately he made the ultimate 29:57.599 --> 30:01.250 sacrifice . For his actions , Jimmy was 30:01.250 --> 30:03.719 awarded the Medal of Honor . He 30:03.719 --> 30:07.079 sacrificed himself for a continent he'd 30:07.079 --> 30:10.760 never seen . To save a people he did 30:10.760 --> 30:14.479 not know . 82 years 30:14.739 --> 30:17.699 have passed since the Allied Armada 30:18.060 --> 30:20.969 appeared over the horizon on this very 30:20.969 --> 30:24.290 morning . Today the guns are silent . 30:24.770 --> 30:28.130 The sand is swept clean by the tides of 30:28.130 --> 30:31.130 history , but the memory of what 30:31.130 --> 30:34.729 happened here that day and the days 30:34.729 --> 30:38.109 that followed will never wash away . 30:38.989 --> 30:42.270 We feel it every day within America's 30:42.270 --> 30:45.270 joint force . The veterans of World War 30:45.270 --> 30:48.599 II who are here with us today . And 30:48.599 --> 30:51.810 those who did not come home , thank you , 30:52.599 --> 30:55.319 thank you for your courage , tenacity , 30:55.520 --> 30:58.699 and grit that you showed the world on 30:58.699 --> 31:01.819 that day and the days that followed . 31:02.520 --> 31:04.760 Most of all , thank you for your 31:04.760 --> 31:07.390 selflessness , for loving our country , 31:07.650 --> 31:10.640 and again for the gift of the perfect 31:10.640 --> 31:14.089 example . May God always bless the 31:14.089 --> 31:17.209 souls resting in this cemetery . May 31:17.209 --> 31:19.670 God bless the United States of America 31:19.810 --> 31:21.810 and may God bless our joint force . 31:21.810 --> 31:23.032 Thank you very much . 31:29.050 --> 31:32.660 Thank you , General . Charles Kushner , 31:32.680 --> 31:38.630 Ambassador 31:38.630 --> 31:41.959 Apre de la Republique Francaise Princi 31:41.959 --> 31:45.599 de Monaco . The Honorable Charles 31:45.599 --> 31:47.543 Kushner , Ambassador of the United 31:47.543 --> 31:49.655 States to the French Republic and the 31:49.655 --> 31:51.543 Principality of Monaco , will now 31:51.543 --> 31:52.766 deliver his remarks . 31:55.410 --> 31:59.369 Mr . Honored veterans and 31:59.369 --> 32:02.890 distinguished guests . We gather today 32:02.890 --> 32:06.189 on the shores of Normandy . To remember 32:06.189 --> 32:08.300 one of the most consequential days in 32:08.300 --> 32:11.250 human history , the Allied landings on 32:11.250 --> 32:15.209 June 6 , 1944 , known to the world as 32:15.209 --> 32:18.900 D-Day . On that morning , 32:19.479 --> 32:22.040 the horizon filled with thousands of 32:22.040 --> 32:25.109 ships and aircraft . Young men , 32:25.930 --> 32:29.119 many barely out of school . Crossed the 32:29.119 --> 32:31.329 English Channel into a storm of steel 32:31.329 --> 32:33.969 and fire . They stepped from their 32:33.969 --> 32:37.369 landing craft into cold water and chaos , 32:38.010 --> 32:40.599 carrying with them not just rifles and 32:40.599 --> 32:43.810 packs , but also the hopes of a world 32:43.810 --> 32:47.800 longing to be free . Those 32:47.800 --> 32:51.239 beaches whose names are forever etched 32:51.239 --> 32:55.119 into history . Omaha Beach , Utah Beach , 32:55.420 --> 32:57.739 Gold Beach , Juno Beach , and Sword 32:57.739 --> 33:00.500 Beach became the proving ground of 33:00.500 --> 33:03.859 courage . For the United States . 33:04.630 --> 33:07.900 The cost was staggering . At Omaha 33:07.900 --> 33:10.939 Beach alone , American forces faced 33:10.939 --> 33:13.579 devastating fire as they struggled to 33:13.579 --> 33:16.619 climb the bluffs . Yet they did not 33:16.619 --> 33:20.170 turn back . They advanced . Yard by 33:20.170 --> 33:23.770 yard , cliff by cliff , because they 33:23.770 --> 33:25.937 understood that freedom itself hung in 33:25.937 --> 33:29.729 the balance . These soldiers came 33:29.729 --> 33:33.229 from farms and factories , from big 33:33.229 --> 33:36.010 cities and small towns across the 33:36.010 --> 33:39.050 United States . They were teachers , 33:39.569 --> 33:42.930 mechanics , students , sons and 33:42.930 --> 33:46.270 brothers . Many would never return home . 33:48.619 --> 33:51.060 More than 2500 Americans were killed on 33:51.060 --> 33:54.140 that first day . Thousands more were 33:54.140 --> 33:58.089 wounded . Today they rest in 33:58.089 --> 34:00.839 solemn rows at this cemetery . 34:01.640 --> 34:04.089 Overlooking the very beaches where they 34:04.089 --> 34:08.030 fought . Each white cross and 34:08.030 --> 34:11.139 Star of David marks a life cut short , 34:12.040 --> 34:15.368 but never forgotten . Each represents a 34:15.368 --> 34:18.608 story of courage , of sacrifice , and 34:18.608 --> 34:20.888 of devotion to a cause greater than 34:20.888 --> 34:24.799 oneself . D-Day was never the 34:24.799 --> 34:27.878 story of one nation alone . It was the 34:27.878 --> 34:30.839 story of an alliance of nations 34:30.839 --> 34:33.118 standing shoulder to shoulder in 34:33.118 --> 34:36.540 defense of liberty . American soldiers 34:36.540 --> 34:38.762 fought alongside the forces of France , 34:38.762 --> 34:41.419 the United Kingdom , Canada , and 34:41.419 --> 34:45.239 others . Together they opened 34:45.239 --> 34:47.919 the road to the liberation of Europe . 34:48.860 --> 34:51.909 Together they proved that tyranny could 34:51.909 --> 34:54.590 be defeated when free people stand 34:54.590 --> 34:58.500 united . We 34:58.500 --> 35:01.399 are especially mindful that the people 35:01.399 --> 35:04.229 of Normandy were not merely witnesses 35:04.229 --> 35:06.379 to this history . They were 35:06.379 --> 35:09.659 participants in it . French civilians 35:09.659 --> 35:12.899 endured occupation , risked their lives 35:12.899 --> 35:15.540 in resistance , and welcomed allied 35:15.540 --> 35:19.379 troops as liberators . The bond forged 35:20.260 --> 35:22.482 here , the bond forged here between the 35:22.482 --> 35:25.860 United States and France is not simply 35:25.860 --> 35:29.100 diplomatic . It is written in sacrifice 35:29.399 --> 35:30.919 and sealed in friendship . 35:33.340 --> 35:35.451 The men who stormed these beaches did 35:35.451 --> 35:37.989 not fight for conquest . They fought 35:37.989 --> 35:41.530 for principles , freedom , democracy , 35:41.629 --> 35:44.909 and human dignity . They believed that 35:44.909 --> 35:47.120 those ideals were worth defending , 35:47.419 --> 35:49.570 even at the cost of their own lives . 35:50.659 --> 35:54.250 Our responsibility generations later 35:54.739 --> 35:56.128 is to prove them right . 35:58.899 --> 36:02.290 We honor them Not only with ceremonies 36:02.290 --> 36:05.350 and monuments , but with our commitment 36:05.750 --> 36:07.639 to preserve the freedom that they 36:07.639 --> 36:10.820 fought to secure . We honor them 36:11.679 --> 36:14.840 by standing together as allies and 36:14.840 --> 36:17.939 friends to defend liberty . And we 36:17.939 --> 36:20.590 honor them . By remembering 36:22.040 --> 36:24.360 Remembering the courage of young 36:24.360 --> 36:27.399 Americans who crossed the ocean to 36:27.399 --> 36:30.060 defend a continent they had never seen . 36:31.300 --> 36:34.169 Remembering the partnership between our 36:34.169 --> 36:37.100 nations that changed the course of 36:37.100 --> 36:40.959 history . And remembering That on 36:40.959 --> 36:44.729 these very beaches . Ordinary men 36:44.729 --> 36:47.590 performed extraordinary deeds that 36:47.590 --> 36:51.149 helped save the world . May we 36:51.149 --> 36:53.370 never forget what was achieved here . 36:54.610 --> 36:57.129 May we always remain worthy of their 36:57.129 --> 37:00.479 sacrifice . And may the spirit of those 37:00.479 --> 37:02.739 who fought on the beaches of Normandy 37:03.439 --> 37:06.520 continue to inspire our nations and the 37:06.520 --> 37:09.679 world to defend freedom whenever and 37:09.679 --> 37:12.350 wherever it is threatened . Thank you . 37:18.860 --> 37:22.100 Thank you , Ambassador Kushner . Madam 37:25.790 --> 37:29.550 Minister are made Republic . 37:30.550 --> 37:32.772 Madame Catherine Vautrain , Minister of 37:32.772 --> 37:35.106 the Armed Forces of the French Republic , 37:35.106 --> 37:37.106 will now deliver her remarks . Mr . 37:48.530 --> 37:49.530 Ma . 38:09.179 --> 38:10.179 Mr . 38:21.870 --> 38:22.870 Norwegian , 38:39.209 --> 38:40.209 Czechoslovak , 38:46.139 --> 39:14.820 journey . 39:25.100 --> 39:26.100 exact . 39:31.159 --> 39:32.159 Mr . 39:59.419 --> 40:00.419 Mr . 40:26.850 --> 40:27.850 Mr . 40:42.310 --> 40:43.310 Mr . 41:08.379 --> 41:09.657 shoulder to shoulder . 41:23.050 --> 41:24.050 Mr . 42:11.669 --> 42:12.090 The 42:12.090 --> 42:25.510 eyes 42:25.510 --> 42:27.000 of the world . 42:36.679 --> 42:37.679 Mr President , 42:51.360 --> 42:54.250 we are grateful and we stand together . 43:06.409 --> 43:07.409 Madam . 43:11.699 --> 43:14.600 Honorable Peter B . Hegseth , Seire 43:14.600 --> 43:17.750 deta Alaguer Destani Damari de 43:17.750 --> 43:20.929 la parole . The Honorable Peter B . 43:21.010 --> 43:22.899 Hegseth , Secretary of War of the 43:22.899 --> 43:24.899 United States of America , will now 43:24.899 --> 43:26.121 deliver his remarks . 43:34.469 --> 43:37.659 Well , Minister Uh , Ambassador Kushner . 43:38.500 --> 43:41.419 Mr . Rose Chairman Cain 43:42.449 --> 43:44.530 Distinguished guests , and most 43:44.530 --> 43:48.320 importantly , Our veterans Thank you 43:48.320 --> 43:51.060 for being here to commemorate the 82nd 43:51.439 --> 43:55.239 anniversary , 882 years young . Of 43:55.239 --> 43:57.040 D-Day . God bless you all . 44:03.280 --> 44:05.391 It is a profound privilege to be with 44:05.391 --> 44:08.280 you today on these hallowed grounds . 44:08.560 --> 44:11.879 This is not merely a resting place . It 44:11.879 --> 44:14.620 is a monument to the unyielding spirit 44:15.000 --> 44:17.520 of the American warrior , a testament . 44:18.209 --> 44:20.689 To the supreme sacrifices our warriors 44:20.689 --> 44:23.709 made to liberate an entire continent 44:23.810 --> 44:26.860 from the grip of tyranny . We remain 44:26.860 --> 44:29.399 ever grateful to the French government , 44:29.899 --> 44:33.500 our ally for 250 years , for dedicating 44:33.500 --> 44:37.110 this land to our fallen . For every 44:37.110 --> 44:39.389 American who visits , it is uniquely 44:39.389 --> 44:43.350 stirring to see the stars and stripes 44:43.350 --> 44:46.350 proudly flying here in eternal vigil 44:46.830 --> 44:49.489 over the thousands of crosses and stars . 44:49.780 --> 44:51.724 As a former superintendent of this 44:51.724 --> 44:55.229 ceremony cemetery once said , looking 44:55.229 --> 44:58.169 over the graves , there they are , 44:58.830 --> 45:01.110 still serving their country . 45:02.439 --> 45:05.310 82 years ago today , the survival of 45:05.310 --> 45:07.229 Western civilization hung in the 45:07.229 --> 45:10.750 balance . Dark forces had swept across 45:10.750 --> 45:13.510 Europe . Hitler boasted that his 45:13.510 --> 45:17.469 Atlantic wall was impenetrable . But 45:17.469 --> 45:20.570 our enemy made a fatal miscalculation . 45:20.989 --> 45:23.629 They underestimated the unbreakable 45:23.629 --> 45:27.110 will of the American fighting man . 45:28.350 --> 45:30.629 The task was daunting , a frontal 45:30.629 --> 45:33.070 assault across the churning English 45:33.070 --> 45:36.229 Channel , Directly into beaches and 45:36.229 --> 45:39.750 cliffs , fortified with iron , concrete , 45:40.110 --> 45:42.709 and heavy artillery . An impossible 45:42.709 --> 45:46.340 mission . A suicidal mission . 45:47.479 --> 45:51.320 The mission of free men . Freedom's 45:51.320 --> 45:54.699 only hope . No turning 45:55.080 --> 45:58.679 back . Alongside the brave forces of 45:58.679 --> 46:00.568 Great Britain , Canada , France , 46:00.568 --> 46:03.419 Norway , Poland , and our other other 46:03.760 --> 46:06.760 capable and steadfast allies , the 46:06.760 --> 46:10.399 United States military spearheaded a 46:10.399 --> 46:13.989 great crusade . To shatter the Nazi war 46:13.989 --> 46:17.669 machine and liberate a continent . Our 46:17.669 --> 46:19.836 troops carried with them the inspiring 46:19.836 --> 46:22.750 words of General Eisenhower , but more 46:22.750 --> 46:26.050 importantly , they carried the hopes 46:26.429 --> 46:29.550 and the prayers of a free world . They 46:29.550 --> 46:31.870 embarked into the dark , choppy waters 46:31.870 --> 46:34.870 knowing that many would not return home . 46:35.800 --> 46:38.449 As the ambassador said , ordinary men . 46:39.689 --> 46:43.340 Extraordinary courage . Like American 46:43.340 --> 46:45.396 patriots throughout our history from 46:45.396 --> 46:47.699 Lexington to Gettysburg , they relied 46:47.699 --> 46:50.530 on one another . Trusting their 46:50.530 --> 46:53.080 brothers . And their cause 46:54.489 --> 46:57.719 Before dawn American paratroopers and 46:57.719 --> 47:00.469 gliders plunged into the abyss lit only 47:00.469 --> 47:04.379 by enemy tracer fire . Chaotic drops 47:04.379 --> 47:07.139 and fierce resistance , they adapted . 47:07.540 --> 47:10.340 They rallied and they fought . A 47:10.340 --> 47:13.760 triumph of American ingenuity and 47:13.760 --> 47:16.860 initiative over the rigid , mechanized 47:16.860 --> 47:19.659 thinking of the enemy . We retain that 47:19.659 --> 47:23.469 advantage still today . Sergeant 47:23.469 --> 47:25.747 William Ashbrook of the 101st Airborne , 47:25.830 --> 47:28.489 the Screaming Eagles looked out of his 47:28.489 --> 47:31.050 plane to the site below saying there 47:31.050 --> 47:33.689 were so many boats in the Channel , he 47:33.689 --> 47:35.889 said , that it seemed as if you could 47:35.889 --> 47:38.560 step out of the plane . And walked to 47:38.560 --> 47:42.090 France on top of them . Speed . 47:42.929 --> 47:45.850 And scale , scale only the American war 47:45.850 --> 47:48.290 machine could produce , and we are 47:48.290 --> 47:52.050 producing again today . May 47:52.050 --> 47:56.050 we learn from this past . Later 47:56.050 --> 47:58.050 that Tuesday morning , the greatest 47:58.050 --> 48:00.272 amphibious assault in human history was 48:00.272 --> 48:03.429 unleashed . Our American warriors set 48:03.429 --> 48:05.719 out to take Omaha and Utah beach 48:05.719 --> 48:08.889 beaches . They rode in Higgins boats , 48:09.270 --> 48:11.629 a master stroke of American engineering 48:11.629 --> 48:15.350 manufactured by the blue collar grit of 48:15.350 --> 48:18.719 20,000 workers in New Orleans . The 48:18.719 --> 48:22.239 ramps of those boats dropped . And our 48:22.239 --> 48:24.389 men threw themselves , hurled 48:24.389 --> 48:26.556 themselves into the waves and onto the 48:26.556 --> 48:29.739 blood-stained sand . The courage , 48:30.399 --> 48:32.288 the sheer courage that it took to 48:32.288 --> 48:34.399 charge into that hailstorm of machine 48:34.399 --> 48:37.419 gun fire and artillery , almost 48:37.800 --> 48:41.580 unfathomable . I tell my kids . 48:42.389 --> 48:45.959 who join us today . And they can barely 48:45.959 --> 48:49.280 relate . It barely computes . Who could ? 48:50.969 --> 48:54.909 Our forefathers did . What those 48:54.909 --> 48:57.850 men did here . 48:59.439 --> 49:02.659 We ask ourselves , could we ? And may 49:02.659 --> 49:06.659 we always ask . The first waves of 49:06.659 --> 49:08.826 soldiers took devastating casualties , 49:08.826 --> 49:12.439 thousands of our absolute best cut down . 49:13.139 --> 49:16.080 But the American warfighter never quit . 49:16.500 --> 49:18.760 Fueled by an unwavering love of country 49:18.760 --> 49:21.500 and the men beside them , they pushed 49:21.500 --> 49:24.790 forward . They chose to face death 49:24.790 --> 49:27.620 rather than surrender or quit , and as 49:27.620 --> 49:31.229 they fought inch by bloody inch , the 49:31.229 --> 49:34.649 Atlantic wall crumbled . They were 49:34.649 --> 49:37.570 indeed the greatest generation , farm 49:37.570 --> 49:39.403 boys from the heartland and city 49:39.403 --> 49:42.649 dwellers from the coasts , teachers and 49:42.649 --> 49:46.419 shopkeepers . The Americans buried here 49:46.419 --> 49:50.080 are our very best , full 49:50.080 --> 49:50.489 stop . 49:55.419 --> 49:57.620 War reveals the true character of a 49:57.620 --> 50:01.020 nation and her men . The courage of the 50:01.020 --> 50:03.500 men who stormed these beaches is the 50:03.500 --> 50:06.739 courage that defines the United States 50:06.739 --> 50:10.439 of America . May it always , may we 50:10.860 --> 50:14.330 earn it . And remember what 50:14.330 --> 50:18.250 they did here . The 50:18.250 --> 50:22.129 souls here earned it . And we are 50:22.129 --> 50:24.649 blessed to have a number of such 50:24.649 --> 50:26.816 warriors in our presence again today . 50:27.389 --> 50:30.149 They are a living embodiment of the 50:30.149 --> 50:34.070 warrior ethos we today revive at the 50:34.070 --> 50:36.959 Department of War . To the veterans 50:36.959 --> 50:40.169 here today . Who served in France and 50:40.169 --> 50:44.080 around the globe , gentlemen . We 50:44.260 --> 50:47.659 love you . We owe you a debt of 50:47.659 --> 50:50.459 gratitude we can never repay . A 50:50.459 --> 50:53.070 grateful nation honors your service and 50:53.070 --> 50:56.919 your historic bravery . June 6th 50:58.030 --> 51:02.020 1944 . Turned the tide 51:02.020 --> 51:05.850 of history . Extraordinary Americans . 51:06.860 --> 51:09.500 Allied courage , meticulous planning , 51:09.739 --> 51:11.979 the blood of our heroes , the Axis 51:11.979 --> 51:15.739 powers were doomed , the world saved . 51:17.290 --> 51:19.401 Without Operation Overlord , we would 51:19.401 --> 51:21.512 not have the free world we know today 51:21.659 --> 51:24.620 together with our allies . 51:25.739 --> 51:28.370 America saved Western civilization . 51:29.760 --> 51:32.939 This day An annual reminder of the 51:32.939 --> 51:36.360 heavy cost of freedom , but also a 51:36.360 --> 51:39.760 reminder . As we look out at those 51:39.760 --> 51:42.780 crosses of what it 51:43.239 --> 51:47.040 takes . And we ask ourselves again , 51:47.620 --> 51:50.050 do we have it ? 51:51.870 --> 51:54.189 Today , as we face an increasingly 51:54.189 --> 51:56.629 complex threat environment , we apply 51:56.629 --> 51:59.850 the lessons from 82 years ago 52:00.350 --> 52:03.469 learned on these beaches . Strong 52:03.469 --> 52:07.449 allies . Each fully committed to 52:07.449 --> 52:11.239 doing their part . Win wars . The 52:11.239 --> 52:13.439 men buried here fought in a war 52:13.439 --> 52:15.860 fighting alliance where every partner 52:16.520 --> 52:19.560 brought its full measure of industry , 52:19.800 --> 52:22.320 courage and sacrifice . Not empty 52:22.320 --> 52:25.620 slogans . Not lavish summits . 52:26.510 --> 52:29.929 Not communiques . Real 52:29.929 --> 52:33.760 allies doing real things , taking real 52:33.760 --> 52:37.169 losses for a shared cause worth 52:37.169 --> 52:40.159 fighting and dying for . Each nation 52:40.689 --> 52:44.050 pulled its weight . Each nation bled . 52:44.989 --> 52:48.389 America will lead . And we must . 52:49.280 --> 52:53.169 But capable allies must be right there 52:53.169 --> 52:57.040 with us , shoulder to shoulder . In the 52:57.040 --> 52:59.600 breach When it matters 53:00.989 --> 53:03.989 In the years since these beaches , much 53:03.989 --> 53:06.870 of the West in some places , in some 53:06.870 --> 53:10.629 quarters , and in some capitals grew 53:10.629 --> 53:14.409 comfortable , we forgot . That freedom 53:14.409 --> 53:18.360 is not free . We forgot that 53:18.360 --> 53:20.527 peace is not wished into being , it is 53:20.527 --> 53:23.520 bought with purpose , with honor , and 53:23.520 --> 53:26.840 with strength . The men who landed on 53:26.840 --> 53:29.760 these beaches knew this . The question 53:29.760 --> 53:33.739 we ask ourselves is , do we ? It's 53:33.739 --> 53:36.659 past time we remember what they knew . 53:37.449 --> 53:39.393 Their legacy demands far more than 53:39.393 --> 53:42.330 quiet reflection . It requires our 53:42.330 --> 53:46.030 active vigilance . Sadly 53:46.399 --> 53:49.550 today , different European beaches are 53:49.550 --> 53:52.330 stormed by different dangerous 53:52.330 --> 53:55.800 ideologies . Beaches in Spain , in 53:55.800 --> 53:58.550 Italy , in Greece , and Bulgaria , 53:58.830 --> 54:01.830 boats and men arrive . 54:03.310 --> 54:05.729 When will European capitals do 54:05.989 --> 54:09.149 something about that invasion ? Or is 54:09.149 --> 54:12.949 it too late I pray not and I 54:12.949 --> 54:15.260 believe not . The men who fought and 54:15.260 --> 54:17.459 died here restored freedom to Europe . 54:17.939 --> 54:20.449 That freedom must be maintained by this 54:20.449 --> 54:22.671 generation of leaders and warfighters . 54:22.790 --> 54:25.729 Or what they fought for was merely 54:25.729 --> 54:29.280 temporary . As our great President 54:29.489 --> 54:31.545 Ronald Reagan once said , freedom is 54:31.545 --> 54:33.545 never more than one generation away 54:33.545 --> 54:35.711 from extinction . You don't pass it to 54:35.711 --> 54:37.989 the next generation in the bloodstream . 54:37.989 --> 54:40.840 It must be defended by each and every 54:40.889 --> 54:44.610 generation . We stand by our allies and 54:44.610 --> 54:47.250 we expect our allies capable and ready 54:47.250 --> 54:50.830 to stand alongside us . The heroes of 54:50.830 --> 54:54.409 1944 did that , and may 54:54.409 --> 54:58.280 we . Peace is secured only through 54:58.280 --> 55:00.820 strength . And its strength on both 55:00.820 --> 55:03.580 sides of the Atlantic , fortified by 55:03.580 --> 55:05.379 readiness , shared military 55:05.379 --> 55:08.219 capabilities , and an unwavering 55:08.219 --> 55:12.149 political will . Our world is safer and 55:12.149 --> 55:14.350 more prosperous when the United States 55:14.350 --> 55:17.350 of America and our allies are strong , 55:17.830 --> 55:21.139 free , and unapologetic in 55:21.139 --> 55:24.149 defense of our Western tradition of 55:24.149 --> 55:28.139 freedom . That is June 6th . That is 55:28.139 --> 55:31.850 1944 . That is 55:31.850 --> 55:35.750 D-Day . So let us here resolve the 55:35.750 --> 55:37.830 formidable alliance forged in the 55:37.830 --> 55:40.830 crucible of World War 2 will remain 55:40.830 --> 55:43.709 ready , will rebuild , and will 55:43.709 --> 55:47.469 recommit . And in doing that , we 55:47.469 --> 55:51.219 truly commemorate . The men of D-Day . 55:52.550 --> 55:55.429 And we place them , all of them , in 55:55.429 --> 55:57.689 the hands of Almighty God . In fact , 55:57.830 --> 55:59.989 from my devotions just this very 55:59.989 --> 56:02.270 morning . Psalm 56:02.270 --> 56:04.479 20:7 . 56:05.989 --> 56:09.179 Some trust in chariots . And some in 56:09.179 --> 56:12.879 horses . But we But 56:12.879 --> 56:16.780 we trust in the name of the Lord our 56:17.280 --> 56:21.219 God . May the Lord our God bless our 56:21.219 --> 56:24.179 warriors . May the Lord our God bless 56:24.179 --> 56:26.820 the enduring 250 year friendship 56:26.820 --> 56:29.540 between our two great republics . And 56:29.540 --> 56:33.340 may the Lord our God forever bless the 56:33.340 --> 56:35.739 United States of America . Thank you . 56:51.330 --> 56:55.330 Thank you , Secretary Hegseth . Ma . 56:58.689 --> 57:02.139 Mr . More 57:02.139 --> 57:07.300 labs 57:09.919 --> 57:13.399 parare personnel . We will now proceed 57:13.399 --> 57:15.621 with the laying of wreaths . Ladies and 57:15.621 --> 57:17.800 gentlemen , please remain seated . For 57:17.800 --> 57:20.120 those laying wreaths , please come 57:20.120 --> 57:22.239 forward as your name is called . Your 57:22.239 --> 57:24.406 wreaths will be brought forward to you 57:24.406 --> 57:26.406 by a member of the cemetery staff . 57:26.780 --> 57:29.540 Secretary of War Peter B . Hegseth , 57:29.979 --> 57:32.035 representing the Department of War . 58:05.370 --> 58:06.370 Catherine Vautra 58:10.949 --> 58:12.393 La Republique Francaise . 58:40.719 --> 58:43.600 Ambassador Charles Kushner representing 58:43.600 --> 58:45.550 the United States of America . 59:13.379 --> 59:14.379 personnel 59:21.590 --> 59:22.590 en suite invite . 59:25.389 --> 59:27.445 As your name is called , please move 59:27.445 --> 59:29.500 forward to form a line . Your wreath 59:29.500 --> 59:31.500 will be brought forward to you by a 59:31.500 --> 59:33.722 member of our cemetery staff . You will 59:33.722 --> 59:35.945 then be instructed to move forward as a 59:35.945 --> 59:38.679 group to lay your wreath . Senator Joni 59:38.679 --> 59:41.199 Ernst of Iowa , Senator Tim Shea of 59:41.199 --> 59:43.360 Montana , representing the United 59:43.360 --> 59:44.360 States Senate . 59:47.429 --> 59:49.540 Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff 59:49.790 --> 59:52.620 General Dan Razin Kane , representing 59:52.620 --> 59:54.842 the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United 59:54.842 --> 59:58.760 States . Fabien 59:58.760 --> 01:00:02.310 Manon , Chef de Ma des Armay , 01:00:03.459 --> 01:00:05.626 representant Les Arma de la Republique 01:00:05.626 --> 01:00:08.989 Francaise . General Steven S . Nordhaus , 01:00:09.179 --> 01:00:11.235 Chief of the National Guard Bureau , 01:00:11.580 --> 01:00:13.802 representing the United States National 01:00:13.802 --> 01:00:17.290 Guard . General Alexis 01:00:17.290 --> 01:00:19.959 Grinkovic representing Supreme Allied 01:00:19.959 --> 01:00:22.520 Command Europe , United States European 01:00:22.520 --> 01:00:23.520 Command . 01:00:26.929 --> 01:00:29.689 Ambassador Matthew Whittaker , United 01:00:29.689 --> 01:00:31.911 States Ambassador to the North Atlantic 01:00:31.911 --> 01:00:35.580 Treaty Organization . Mr . Jarrett 01:00:35.580 --> 01:00:39.040 Eiserman . Representing the National 01:00:39.179 --> 01:00:41.810 Aerospace Aeronautics and Space 01:00:41.810 --> 01:00:42.810 Administration . 01:00:45.330 --> 01:00:46.997 Madame Patricia Gadi Duquen , 01:00:48.350 --> 01:00:50.570 representant to to Calvados . 01:00:52.350 --> 01:00:55.030 Mr . Patrick Tomin , Mayor de Clovis 01:00:55.030 --> 01:00:55.659 sur Mer . 01:02:08.149 --> 01:02:10.316 American Mal Monuments Commission Recy 01:02:10.316 --> 01:02:11.719 Vimont represent the 01:02:11.719 --> 01:02:15.469 communela organization Mivant 01:02:16.429 --> 01:02:19.639 for our depose deger de Fleur set 01:02:19.639 --> 01:02:22.899 ceremony . General 01:02:23.189 --> 01:02:25.379 General Christopher Norrie of the 01:02:25.379 --> 01:02:27.729 United States of America , United 01:02:27.729 --> 01:02:30.510 States Army Europe and Africa , Admiral 01:02:30.510 --> 01:02:32.677 George Wyckoff representing the United 01:02:32.677 --> 01:02:34.899 States Naval Forces Europe and Africa . 01:02:36.209 --> 01:02:39.469 Best Defense Foundation . Delta 01:02:39.469 --> 01:02:43.300 Airlines , Michelin , Veterans AI , 01:02:44.100 --> 01:02:47.770 and Monsieur de Vallavier of 01:02:47.770 --> 01:02:49.689 Utah Beach , Saint Marie Dumont . 01:02:55.449 --> 01:02:57.616 American Battle Monuments Commission . 01:02:57.639 --> 01:02:59.695 The final wreath will be laid in the 01:02:59.695 --> 01:03:01.806 name of the American Battle Monuments 01:03:01.806 --> 01:03:03.861 Commission by the chairman , retired 01:03:03.861 --> 01:03:06.199 General Michael X . Garrett , and ABMC 01:03:06.199 --> 01:03:07.755 Commissioner David Bossie . 01:03:51.469 --> 01:03:53.691 silence . Ladies and gentlemen , please 01:03:53.691 --> 01:03:56.560 rise for the French Honour , a moment 01:03:56.560 --> 01:03:58.739 of silence in the playing of taps . 01:04:00.649 --> 01:04:01.649 Oh . 01:07:26.989 --> 01:07:29.750 debut for la benediction for la Colonel 01:07:29.750 --> 01:07:33.510 Coyle depar dee . Please remain 01:07:33.510 --> 01:07:35.629 standing for the benediction by 01:07:35.629 --> 01:07:37.709 Chaplain Coyne and the retirement of 01:07:37.709 --> 01:07:41.389 the colors . I invite you to once 01:07:41.389 --> 01:07:45.360 again join me in prayer . Gracious 01:07:45.360 --> 01:07:47.471 God , as we depart from this hallowed 01:07:47.471 --> 01:07:49.919 ground , let the memory of the fallen 01:07:49.919 --> 01:07:52.770 remain vivid in our hearts . May the 01:07:52.770 --> 01:07:54.881 winds that sweep these cliffs and the 01:07:54.881 --> 01:07:56.850 waves that break upon these shores 01:07:56.850 --> 01:07:59.649 remind us daily of the price paid for 01:07:59.649 --> 01:08:03.070 freedom . Inspire us to live with honor , 01:08:03.310 --> 01:08:06.709 devotion , and gratitude , worthy of 01:08:06.709 --> 01:08:10.110 the legacy entrusted to us . Give us 01:08:10.110 --> 01:08:12.221 strength to walk in their footsteps , 01:08:12.429 --> 01:08:14.909 to carry forward their hope , and to 01:08:14.909 --> 01:08:17.076 stand as guardians of the liberty they 01:08:17.076 --> 01:08:20.910 secured . May we always remember and 01:08:20.910 --> 01:08:23.069 may we always strive to be worthy of 01:08:23.069 --> 01:08:26.899 their sacrifice . As we continue to 01:08:26.899 --> 01:08:30.779 serve you and each other , we pray in 01:08:30.779 --> 01:08:33.450 your mighty name . Amen . 01:08:36.529 --> 01:08:39.129 Tre the colors . 01:08:51.659 --> 01:08:53.659 Battle Monuments Commission and the 01:08:53.659 --> 01:08:51.979 Normandy American Cemetery 01:09:03.229 --> 01:09:06.418 or the ceremony to commemoration the 01:09:06.418 --> 01:09:09.499 anniversary Georgie , a ceremony at a 01:09:18.409 --> 01:09:20.890 memorial . Ladies and gentlemen , on 01:09:20.890 --> 01:09:23.057 behalf of the American Bible Monuments 01:09:23.057 --> 01:09:25.112 Commission and the Normandy American 01:09:25.112 --> 01:09:27.334 Cemetery , a sincere thanks to everyone 01:09:27.334 --> 01:09:29.620 who attended today . Commemoration of 01:09:29.620 --> 01:09:31.898 the eighty-second anniversary of D-Day . 01:09:32.140 --> 01:09:34.589 That concludes today's ceremony . I ask 01:09:34.589 --> 01:09:36.811 you to please take your seats while the 01:09:36.811 --> 01:09:38.978 official party thanks the flag bearers 01:09:38.978 --> 01:09:40.478 and departs the memorial . 01:09:51.048 --> 01:09:53.370 Would you like to follow me ? That .