Many in the news media are hailing President Donald Trump's speech in Normandy, France commemorating D-Day as his best ever. Maybe it's just a biscuit toss by the media to try to show they are unbiased. Then it will be back to business as usual. Notwithstanding, the President honored those who fought at Normandy 75 years ago, those who sacrificed, those who gave their lives that you and I can actually be free in reading this Daily Jot in American English rather than being forced to read it secretly in German or Japanese under Fascist rule. A heroic and serious generation saved us from tyranny. It was a selfless sacrifice that we need to remember in this time when political intolerance blows across America.
The President began by recounting the story of Normandy with vivid imagery: "
Their mission is the story of an epic battle and the ferocious, eternal struggle between good and evil...After months of planning, the Allies had chosen this ancient coastline to mount their campaign to vanquish the wicked tyranny of the Nazi empire from the face of the Earth...They came from the farms of a vast heartland, the streets of glowing cities, and the forges of mighty industrial towns. Before the war, many had never ventured beyond their own community. Now they had come to offer their lives half a world from home...The GIs who boarded the landing craft that morning knew that they carried on their shoulders not just the pack of a soldier, but the fate of the world.
"Down on the beach, Captain Joe Dawson, the son of a Texas preacher, led Company G through a minefield to a natural fold in the hillside, still here. Just beyond this path to my right, Captain Dawson snuck beneath an enemy machine gun perch and tossed his grenades. Soon, American troops were charging up "Dawson's Draw." What a job he did. What bravery he showed...These men ran through the fires of hell moved by a force no weapon could destroy: the fierce patriotism of a free, proud, and sovereign people. They battled not for control and domination, but for liberty, democracy, and self-rule. They pressed on for love in home and country - the Main Streets, the schoolyards, the churches and neighbors, the families and communities that gave us men such as these.
"They were sustained by the confidence that America can do anything because we are a noble nation, with a virtuous people, praying to a righteous God. The exceptional might came from a truly exceptional spirit. The abundance of courage came from an abundance of faith...As they confronted their fate, the Americans and the Allies placed themselves into the palm of God's hand." In reading Trump's speech, I am reminded of the verses in Isaiah 41:12-13, "They that war against you shall be as nothing, and as a thing of naught. For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee." I'm sure there was fear aplenty on June 6, 1944, but if they could tell you today, these brave men may also say in the moment that mattered there was no fear as the Lord helped them. Praise God that He was with them.
