Episode 129 - More from Normandy - And the Greatest Speech Ever Given

One of the most powerful speeches in modern history.  More on the invasion of Normandy on today's hot zone.

 

Hi folks, Continuing with the theme this week of remembering the men who died fighting for freedom starting June 6, 1944, today I want to play for you what I believe is one of the most powerful speeches of modern history.  It was given at Pointe du Hoc, Normandy, the site of a bloody battle between the Germans and American Rangers who had to scale the 100-foot cliffs there using ropes and ladders, all under withering fire from above.

 

The incredible story of the U.S. Army’s 2nd Ranger Battalion, led by Lt. Col. James Earl Rudder, who led his men to the top of the cliffs, to where 6 German cannons were supposed to be located. The mission was to take out the German guns which overlooked Omaha and Utah beaches, and if the Rangers failed their mission, the success of Operation Overlord could have been in doubt.  It was all but a suicide mission, climbing the cliffs while the Germans rained grenades and machine gun fire down on them, but the Rangers led the way and fought their way to the top of the cliff...but the guns weren’t there. And that's when their battle really began.

 

On June 6 1984, Then-president Ronald Reagan gave a speech at the site of that battle that still gives me chills every time I hear it.  It is so powerful, so poignant and so relevant to today even 35 years later, that I want to play it for you in it's entirety for the podcast today.  This is important history, and I would say your kids need to hear this, maybe more than once.  So enjoy:

 

[Ronald Reagan Speech.]