Article Summary –
President Biden commemorated D-Day veterans, using their memory as a beacon for American democracy and its global role today. He expressed his belief in America’s continuing greatness, subtly critiquing former President Trump’s slogan “Make America Great Again”, and drew parallels between the World War II soldiers’ courage and current global challenges, such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In his speech, Biden evoked the importance of international alliances and his administration’s efforts in rallying European support for Ukraine.
President Biden Commemorate D-Day Veterans and Highlights American Democracy
Presiding from Pointe du Hoc, the historical Normandy cliff scaled by Army Rangers 80 years ago, President Biden expressed reverence for the bravery and sacrifices made during D-Day. He connected this historical event to the current challenges facing the U.S. domestically and globally.
“We honor the veterans’ remarkable bravery and listen to their voices. They are summoning us to stay true to what America stands for,” Biden asserted. He expressed rejection of the belief that America’s greatness is a thing of the past, subtly referencing the “Make America Great Again” slogan.
While Biden’s remarks did not directly name his predecessor, the rhetoric brought up issues he has highlighted in his reelection campaign. These encompass safeguarding democracy against threats and maintaining America’s influential role to rally allies on the global stage.
Biden lauded American democracy for fostering collective belief beyond individual interests. For Biden, democracy starts when a person deems their country more important than personal gains.
Drawing parallels with the war-hit Ukraine, Biden argued for American support against Russian invasion. He used the standpoint of soldiers who fought at Pointe du Hoc to emphasize this point. “I’m certain they believed America was the beacon of the world and would remain so forever,” he said.
This speech was delivered at the same location where then-President Ronald Reagan emphasized the value of democracy during the 40th D-Day anniversary. This site is now synonymous with the Cold War with the Soviet Union.
Biden’s chief foreign policy success during his first term includes rallying European allies in support of Ukraine. He referred to the U.S. as “the world power”.
Biden praised the World War II veterans, and evoked awe at their bravery during his visit to France. He also released a video criticizing Trump as a “draft dodger” on D-Day. The video featured veterans arguing that Trump is unfit for the commander-in-chief role.
Biden’s visit concluded with a stop at the cemetery, where Trump reportedly referred to those buried as “losers” and “suckers”. Biden repeatedly used these comments to criticize his predecessor. He will travel to Paris for a state visit with French President Emmanuel Macron.
Biden gave a speech at the D-Day landing anniversary and mentioned Ukraine’s fight against a tyrant. He appealed to Americans to acknowledge the value of international alliances in world affairs.
The D-Day landings being the largest amphibious invasion in history, shaped the direction of World War II. Biden met with 41 veterans, 31 of whom were at D-Day, labelling them as the “greatest generation” that “saved the world.”
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