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Eighty years ago, 73,000 brave American soldiers stormed the shores of Normandy, advancing through great obstacles and intense fire to free a continent from the clutches of tyranny. In this singular moment, the United States demonstrated to allies and adversaries alike our willingness to lead the charge to defend democracy, a sacred commitment our nation has made in the decades since that historic event.
On the 40th anniversary of the D-Day invasion, President Ronald Reagan spoke of this spirit from atop the rugged cliffs of Pointe du Hoc, where American Rangers once scaled treacherous heights to destroy an enemy artillery position. He praised the heroes of the Greatest Generation for risking their lives for democracy, which he called “the most profoundly honorable form of government ever devised by man.” He recalled the bitter lessons of two world wars, that it was “better to be here ready to protect the peace than… to rush to respond only after freedom has been lost.” And he evoked the promise God made to Joshua, promising our allies: “I will not leave you nor forsake you.”
President Reagan gave two speeches in Normandy on June 6, 1984, when he gave one of his most famous speeches highlighting the heroic actions of the “boys of Pointe du Hoc.” (David Hume Kennerly / Contributor)
Four decades later, the world still faces serious threats to democracy and still demands trusted American leadership to light the way. In President Joe Biden, we are fortunate to have a leader who continues the great tradition of Roosevelt and Reagan and recognizes that preserving the promise of democracy is the defining challenge of our time.
DAY 80: ONE MORE MISSION TO NORMANDY FOR THE GREATEST GENERATION
After four years of American retreat from leadership responsibilities around the world, President Biden took office pledging to firmly defend freedom and democracy, stand with our allies and partners, and stand up to autocrats and tyrants around the world. world.
For the past three years, that is precisely what he has done. Reviving Reagan's vision of the transatlantic alliance as “our shield for freedom, prosperity and peace,” President Biden strengthened and expanded NATO to include North Macedonia, Finland and Sweden. At the same time, he revitalized the Indo-Pacific partnership and repaired frayed ties with America's friends around the world.
When Vladimir Putin launched his full-scale invasion of Ukraine, seeking to overthrow a neighboring democracy and divide our NATO alliance, President Biden's leadership was tested. His clear and forceful response would make Roosevelt and Reagan proud: form an international coalition to confront Russia, heeding the lessons of history that the victory of a tyrant anywhere threatens the security of free peoples everywhere. parts.
It's hard to believe that the apparent Republican presidential nominee would reject Reagan's legacy of American global leadership.
American World War II veterans gather in the town center of Sainte-Mere-Eglise, northwestern France, June 5, 2024, as part of “D-Day” commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of the landings World War II ally in Normandy. The D-Day ceremonies, which will be held on June 6 this year, mark the 80th anniversary since the launch of “Operation Overlord”, a vast military operation carried out by Allied forces in Normandy, which changed the course of World War II and ultimately led to the liberation of occupied France. and the end of the war against Nazi Germany. (MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP via Getty Images)
During his four years in office, President Trump rejected and neglected our allies, bowed to dictators, and left America isolated and alone. Recently, he stated that he would encourage Russia to “do whatever it wants” with our transatlantic allies, and even suggested that he would withdraw NATO support for Ukraine, forcing President Zelenskyy to surrender to Putin.
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Here at home, we all watched in horror as Trump became the first president to attempt to overturn the results of a free and fair election by instigating a violent attack on the Capitol. This time, he is explicitly waging a campaign of revenge and retribution, promising a “bloodbath” if he loses. And his mission is to seek power at all costs, without the restrictions of our laws or our Constitution.
Our brave and brave service members stormed the beaches of Normandy to protect our Constitution, our freedoms, and our country. The last thing we should do in his memory is betray the enduring values of freedom, peace, and security that so many Americans have dedicated every last moment of their devotion to upholding.
U.S. Army troops crowd a Navy landing craft infantry ship during the D-Day invasion of Normandy, France, June 6, 1944. (US Navy/Getty Images)
Trump's words and actions are a betrayal of the brave military men who stormed the beaches of Normandy, and a betrayal of the enduring values of freedom, peace, and security that so many Americans have dedicated every last moment of their devotion to defending.
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Eighty years after the D-Day landings – as we remember the courage and sacrifice that freedom demands – the United States finds itself at a crossroads again, with democracy at stake.
On Thursday, when President Biden arrives at the windswept cliffs of Pointe du Hoc, he will provide a fitting symmetry to Reagan's pilgrimage 40 years ago: showing the world America's renewed commitment to defending democracy. It is a cause that American heroes have bled and died for, that presidents of both parties have championed, that Joe Biden believes is etched into the very soul of our nation.
Republican Chuck Hagel is a former secretary of the Department of Defense and a former U.S. senator from Nebraska.
