D-Day Anniversary: The Messages, the Values

Today, June 6, 2017, is the anniversary of the June 6, 1944 invasion of northern France. On that day, an enormous fleet of mostly American and British ships delivered a massive multinational invasion force to the rugged beaches of Normandy. Many men on both sides perished that day. Despite the enormous force that the allies brought to bear, the invasion's success was a very close call.

Eisenhower, DoD photo

Eisenhower: Supreme Allied Commander Dwight D Eisenhower sent a written message with strong religious undertones to the invasion force. A speech was obviously impractical, given the force's huge size and its dispersion across southern England. All the same, his brief message touched all the bases: he set a noble goal, warned that the enemy was powerful, told them what their advantages were, and pray for their success.

He began by telling the soldiers and sailors, "You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months." The word Crusade gave the invasion a religious framework. It is unlikely that he considered how offensive the term might have been to Muslims, but, then, the invasion did not attack a predominantly Muslim nation. More important to most of Eisenhower's readers would be the message that they were fighting for something greater than themselves, and, indeed, greater than ordinary patriotism. He reminded them that, "The eyes of the world are upon you." He continued with the religious theme: "The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you. . . . 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."

Eisenhower warned that the enemy was "well-trained, well-equipped and battle hardened." However, giving hope, he pointed out the great success of Allied air power as well as the industrial might which had provided them with new and powerful weaponry. "The tide has turned!" He told them that he had complete confidence in them and in their devotion. He ended with a prayer: "And let us beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking." All in all, a brilliant message that went to larger values.

Reagan at Pointe du Hoc, DoD photo

Reagan: President Ronald Reagan gave one of his most dramatic speeches, drafted by Peggy Noonan, at the Rangers Memorial at Pointe du Hoc in Normandy on June 6, 1984. A group of surviving Rangers sat in the front row. These men had survived a small but terrible battle, whose purpose was to destroy a German artillery battery. Casualties were over 50%. Reagan gave a classic epideictic speech. He set the scene by picturing the terrible suffering of Europe under Nazi rule: "Free nations had fallen, Jews cried out in the camps, millions cried out for liberation." He reminded the small crowd that "Here in Normandy the rescue began." He continued: "225 Rangers jumped off the British landing craft and ran to the bottom of these cliffs. . . . When one Ranger fell, another would take his place. When one rope was cut, a Ranger would grab another and begin his climb again."

He followed this narrative with other stories of courageous soldiers that day. He then broadened the speech to larger values: "What inspired all the men of the armies that me here? We look at you and somehow we know the answer. It was faith and belief; it was loyalty and love."

He expressed more values as he extolled the merits of Western civilization: "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." He praised arms reduction treaties. He discussed foreign policy: "We've learned that isolationism never was and never will be an acceptable response to tyrannical governments with an expansionist intent." So different from the "America First" policy of today.

Reagan concluded his speech with a call to action: "Strengthened by their courage, heartened by their valor, and borne by their memory, let us continue to stand for the ideals for which they lived and died."

Never think that ceremonial speeches don't make a difference. War alone can never buy freedom; only ideas can do that. If we forget what we stand for, there is no hope.