June the 6, 2019 75 years since the invasion of
the continent by the Americans who brought freedom back to this part of the world
and there's a 160 plus of those veterans here today
My name is John Raaen
I was a Captain age 22
landed on Omaha
called white beach
on D-Day
I was a headquarters company commander of the
5th Ranger Battalion
Major Lee Wooten
Tell them where you landed Papa
Utah Beach
August the 20th
'44
We were known as the troop carrier Pathfinder
we had no number
that's what we had
nobody else had that
14 planes
14 out of the 20
the only 20 Pathfinder crews until after D-Day
18 troopers they got out of my plane in 10 seconds
That's Omaha Beach in the background where early morning of June the 6, 1944
thousands of young Americans came ashore here to deliver this continent from the
forces of fascism
we're celebrating their lives today and the great
sacrifice that so many of their colleagues made
many that are buried right here in this cemetery
God bless America
we are gathered here on freedom's altar
on these shores
on these bluffs
on this day 75 years ago
10,000 men shed their blood and thousands sacrificed their lives for
their brothers
for their countries
and for the survival of Liberty
Today we remember those who fell and we honor all who fought right here in Normandy
They won back this ground for civilization
to more than 107 veterans of the Second World War who join us today
you are among the very greatest Americans who will ever live
you're the pride of our nation
you are the glory of our Republic
and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts
it was here that tens of thousands of the Americans came
the G.I.s who boarded the landing craft that morning
knew that they carried on their shoulders not just
the pack of a soldier but the fate of the world
more powerful than the strength of American arms
was the strength of American hearts
these men ran through the fires of hell
moved by a force no weapon could destroy
the fierce patriotism of a free, proud and sovereign people
we know what we owe to you veterans, our freedom
on behalf of my nation I just want to say thank you
seven decades ago
the warriors of d-day fought a sinister enemy who spoke of a thousand year empire
in defeating that evil they left a legacy that will last
not only for a thousand years but for all time
for as long as the soul knows of duty and honor
for as long as freedom keeps its hold on the human heart
to the men who sit behind me
and to the boys who rest in the field before me
your example will never ever grow old
may God bless our great veterans
may God bless our allies
may God bless the heroes of D-Day
and may God bless America
thank you, thank you very much