Sixty years on, we commemorate today the landing at Normandy, as the Allies began Operation Overlord, to reclaim Europe from the Nazis. The war would last another year, but D-Day was the beginning of the end.
... the anniversary being celebrated on the coast of Normandy today [is] a special one. It is not only that this 60th anniversary of D-Day has a sentimental significance because it will be the last to include many veterans of the invasion - the greatest in the history of the world - in its ceremonies.
It is also, and even more importantly, because the liberation of Europe began a great movement to create an international order based on respect for what President Franklin Roosevelt called the Four Freedoms: freedom of speech and expression; freedom to worship God in one's own way; freedom from want; and freedom from fear.
After D-Day, the Allies began calling themselves the United Nations, and the ideals set out in the Four Freedoms remain the foundations of the UN Charter and the UN's Universal Declaration of Human Rights.[The Age - Editorial]
Dwight Eisenhower gives the order:
Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Forces: You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms on other Fronts you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world.
Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely.
But this is the year 1944! Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle, man-to-man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. Our Home Fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men. The tide has turned! The free men of the world are marching together to Victory!
I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory!
Good Luck! And let us all beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.
No comments:
Post a Comment