And the American Rangers began to climb. They shot rope ladders over the face of these cliffs and began to pull themselves up. When one ranger fell, another would take his place. When one rope was cut a ranger would grab another and begin his climb again. They climbed, shot back, and held their footing. Soon, one by one, the rangers pulled themselves over the top, and in seizing the firm land at the top of these cliffs, they began to seize back the continent of Europe.
President Ronald Reagan, June 6, 1984 - Normandy.
Three and a half months after seeing this in Normandy, I still nearly weep at the words.
"When one ranger fell, another would take his place..." Oh, the heartbreak of watching your brother in arms fall and know that you must not falter from your mission. You cannot stop to see if he has survived. You cannot tell him goodbye. You must keep climbing. Because you are an American Ranger and a continent is depending on you.
"....soon, one by one, the rangers pulled themselves over the top..." One by one. The sacrifice of one ranger, and then another ranger, and then another ranger. One man at a time, one sacrifice at a time, these heroes began the job of liberating a continent. One by one they formed the mightiest military force in the world.
And in this place, Normandy, they have not been forgotten.
Happy Veterans Day to all of our service men and women.
And thank you.
1 comment:
To all the veterans....past, present and future. Thank you for the freedoms you fought for, so we can live the lives we do.
I thank you.
Nancy
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