Normandy Speech: Ceremony Commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the Normandy Invasion, D-Day 6/6/84

[ogukuo72]

I bet FDR never tried to take credit for ordering these brave men on their missions. I bet Reagan never try to make political capital for making difficult decisions to put soldiers in harm's way. I certainly never heard GWB take credit for what the soldiers achieved with their blood, sweat and tears. Heck, even Carter never blame the soldiers when things go wrong. Only one president I know tried to take credit for things done by men who put their own lives at risk. That's Obama.

[TheTERM1000]

bush was the best pres. in my life time (im 13)

[alwaysbehumble]

9 Soviets had watched this video

[madd871]

this speech give tear in eye 

[matthops82]

i miss ronald reagan

[LynchColl94]

Look, Obama....NO TELEPROMPTERS!

[engine2truck6]

Love this speech. AWESOME. i listen to it a lot, esp the first minutes. BUT:Soviets are gone. We can come home now.

[tbarn9]

I was honored to meet him and shake his hand in his LA office. An American original for sure. No president is perfect to all sides. But he inspired so many at a very gloomy time in our history.

[olesooner]

Ronaldus Maximus the First----

[SkullOfYorick]

@olesooner Ron Paul = Ronaldus Maximus the Second

[hiofecr]

@SkullOfYorick Not even close ... President Reagan would deplore Ron Paul's foreign policy or lack thereof



[11B4V]

Great American who wanted smaller goverment but raised the debt ceiling 17 times. Seems people only remember what they want to remember..

[leycyp]

@11B4V You really have no clue, do you ?

[GunnyDeuce]

By far the greatest Commander in Chief in my lifetime.

[safetyjdp]

Hmmm, no teleprompter.

[cisforcat]

They don't make them like they used to.

[newellgirl]

I miss Ron so much

[mcbain434444]

Wow an American actually mentioning the contribution of other countries in WW2. R.I.P Ronald Reagan. You were one of the best presidents in history.

[moonpa1]

love and miss you

[theeasybeats]

Where is his teleprompter?

[vincent16061977]

uhhh

[fredqwan]

We need his like again !!!

[SuperHaloStarwarsFan]

"These are the boys of Pointe du Hoc..."

[guambetty]

He had that unexplainable magnetism, irrisistable attraction. Because of him, I have switched party affiliation with no regrets whatsoever!

[dstromswold]

A man for the ages!.....timeless....A true American hero and President!

[ederrick987]

President Reagan was the best public speaker among all modern presidents.

[jaroncreed]

@ederrick987 he was an actor before a politician, so he had to learn how to speak as good as the best of them

[mrblujet]

@jaroncreed Maybe Obama should take some acting lessons. Although he probably already did - he is pretending to be a U.S. President.

[lezfriend]

Ronald Reagan was the first President I ever voted for back in 1980. I was a naive kid at the age of 18, who really did not know much about politics. Still, whenever I heard the speeches of Ronald Reagan I felt a sense of pride at being an American, which I had never really felt up to that point. As time progressed throughout the 1980s, I saw the resurgance of a naiton that had been beset by chronic unemployment, economic distress, and turbulance abroad. I so miss you Ronald Reagan. R.I.P.

[sjoneselt]

He warned us of what could come. I for one could not believe that people of our own country could betray us. Well they have , now what can be done about it. An election will we have that? We lost alot of our freedoms don't be too sure we won't loose that.

[JawaJive]

A well-written speech... by Peggy Noonan...

[leycyp]

@JawaJive A speech annotated, edited and proofread by the President.

[MrCaptainBlack1]

@JawaJive HE WROTE MOST OF HIS OWN, FOOL

[SgtSplatter782]

up until this point (6 June 84) Point-du-Hoc had been been less than a foot note in the history books. When you mentioned the Normandy Invasion people thought "Utah", "Omaha", "Juno" or "Sword". President Reagan helped give the boys of the "Point" their fair share of the glory and their proper place in history.

And on a side note I think the memorial at Point-du-Hoc is rather fitting, simple yet very powerful. Also the area, to this day, still bears the scars of the invasion.

[jaroland110]

One of the greatest speeches of all time.

[sigeyeoh351]

Reagan was president as I was becoming a man. I learned so much by watching him as president. He knew and predicted back in 1961, that socialism would happen only 50 years later in the US if we allowed incrimentalism and quit teaching the young what a great place the US is and the greatness of her founding documents. I feel a tide turning back toward emphasis on the real truth and power that those documents hold. God Bless the USA and all who believe in her. RIP RWR. My hero. MJG

[Crystalsball]

Peggy Noonan wrote a Great speech. President Reagan delivered it well. I don't see the need to be so disrespectful to the current occupant of the office. The boys of Pointe de Huc did not die so that we would be a nation of hateful people.

[oxmyx1]

@Crystalsball No, they died so we could be a free people, not ones to revere the man over the office, nor the ones to blindly follow either.

[232009jordan]

@Crystalsball they died to fight tyranny....the sad part about some in our country today is that they vote for tyranny!

[stelth96]

We need presidents like this again.

[Sexpistols15151]

@stelth96 amen brother.

[DelrayTom]

We needed him then, and we need him now. He was the first president I ever voted for when I came of legal voting age. I attended his first inauguration, and read Peggy Noonan's book "When Character Was King" to learn how to build character in myself. I can only pray that his legacy lives on and that no one forgets the inspiration he was to millions of American's, and how we need a leader like him again. He was truly the last great American president.

[jblanche747474]

Simply one great president which come once in a life time, This was a great speech and truly a day to remember. Thank Mr president and hope we as a nation can remember how these men fought and died for us.

[pberndt33]

It takes a bad president to appreciate a truly great president. President Reagan if your listening up there, we are lost as a country and need some help down here. Help us find our way back.

[rkreece]

None of this was about Ronald Reagan - it is about his HONORING the heroes of Normandy! Do you hear that America - listen to what the man says, not the man.

[jcsmacman]

I was 18 when I cast my first presidential vote for Ronald Reagan. What a great man, what a great leader. How I pray that I will be able to cast a vote for a man such as him again...

[jgfdnyl101]

God Bless Ronald Reagan! I paray that we once again get a real president who properly represents the United States.

[1BigDadyCool2]

the greatest president in my eyes rip president reagon

[gaiuskaiser]

How low have we sunk.From Ronald Reagan to a radical like Obama in less than 30 years.How ridiclous would Obama look and sound giving a speech on the cliffs of Normandy

[ChiBoompty]

These are the words of a man who understood the gravity of history and the power of individuals to alter the course of human events. He understood the depth of the soldier's sacrifice, and the strength of his spirit, born of love for freedom.

Ronald Reagan was such a man, a champion of freedom. As our luck would have it, we needed no narrator for the history he shaped; he did just fine by himself.

[OliverShagnasty77]

Oh how I miss when Presidents could make speeches without relying on a teleprompter.

[LedzepJohn]

from a British point of view...what a fantastic speech...what a fantastic president....one of the speeches that sends shivers down my spine

[saynotocommies]

God Bless Ronald Reagan!

[jargonzaus]

ronald reagan truly a great communicator, rest in peace Mr. President!

[billd987]

Remember when America had a REAL president?

[avien84]

Very moving. Particularly considering the fact that President Reagan was also a champion who helped to free a continent and a hero who helped to end the Cold War.

[mktusa]

Incredibly moving. Certainly one of the best speechs in American History.

God bless you, President Reagan.

[67markross]

God Bless Ronald Reagan! And ALL of our veternas!

RIP Mr. President! You are the modern template for which all presidents should seek to follow!

[captlightyear]

Interesting dichotomy between Regan's speeches detailing America's greatness and Barry Obama's apologetic speeches trashing the United States of America.

[thecoolerstinger]

This is the best speech I have ever seen. Politicians used to be like this?

[bigjoetube]

He was a great politician and a fine statesman. He was a great man because he was a good man. The first president I ever voted for and the best of my lifetime.

[smitty54017]

@thecoolerstinger He was more than a politician...he was a leader. :-)

[sirhogin1]

Here is a MAN that truly LOVED this country. He belived in America and ALL she offered. What the hell has happened? What happened to the shining city on the hill?

[Kil0foxTrot]

im glad he mentioned ridgeway though, he became the co of 17th airborne corp

[Kil0foxTrot]

instead of talking mostly bout rangers, he didnt mention airborne landings, or big red one at omaha, but still great speech

[nickd4818]

its almost painful to watch this speech and realize how far the quality of our leaders has fallen since Reagan.

[pale91579]

@nickd4818 you got that right. Painful is the best way to describe it.

[TheCoolbritishkid]

I wanted to cry so badly

[steveclash]

What a incredible speech, it moves like poetry. Absolutely amazing, I didn't agree with the man but he seems to speak clear.

[mrjoegrennon]

Great American President!

[thecoolerstinger]

1st class speech

[thecoolerstinger]

And we need Patton and Macarthur too.  Great men.

[palehorse2032]

Where have you gone Reagan ? We need you now more than ever.

[Srhandel]

President Reagan gave a great speech and he didn't even have a Teleprompter.

[65Dart]

Easy to do when you simply speak from a Truth you believe in, as opposed to the mouthpiece of subversive anti-American Leftism we have today, who could NEVER get away with telling us what he truly believes in.

[lggriffin]

It's a shame that the "mouthpiece" that you speak of doesn't take a lesson from Ronald Reagan. He should watch speeches like this one, and the one that Reagan gave during HIS 1st trip to Europe. He might learn how a REAL American President is supposed to act! America doesn't have to apologize to any nation for anything!

[lggriffin]

We have more of our HEROES buried on foreign soil, than all other nations of the world combined! Our brave heroes perished in defense of those foreign nations, and now we have a so-called President, apologizing for America?! What has happened?! This is more like "Bizarro World"!

[glennwith2nns]

ugh-um (throat clearing) did he just say there was time when men were willing to fight against tyrannical governments bent on expansion?

[stinkinpunks]

his speeches are so amazing. you can't help but feel pride as an American whenever you hear him speak... pride that someday we'll feel again when this country can get it's priorities straight again.

[keithstkd1]

He wanted to serve in combat, but his vision was 20/200 so he serve with Jack Warner on armed services films.

[DavidMed58]

R.I.P. Ronald Reagan A True American President.

[olr333]

He IS "The Great Communicator"

[csiny9946]

I wasn't born here, but when I think of being an American-I think about great American's such as President Reagan. How proud I am to call myself and American.

[tell302man]

Ronald W. Reagan the Greatest leader of Our Time!!!! God Bless Ronald Reagan!!!!

[gmoonit]

everyone in my public speaking at ATC... WE ROCK!

haha...yeah....

[ceez001]

Ronald Reagan speech makes Obama look like his words are just words. This speech is before Soviet Union became Russian Federation. He truely beleive in the word democracy and speak up without isolationism or "not meddle".

[greenbuddy421]

That's because Obama is all flash and no substance.

[jefftenis]

I still have hope one day we wil lhave another Ronald Reagan

[irishshortybob]

I'm going to be.

[MoonbootsJ]

God I miss him. This is one of the best speeches ever spoken. People need to get this message out

RIP Ronnie

[hkjazz1]

This is the voice of a world leader.

[mrhooah04]

R.I.P Reagan

[b3l13v3r]

sniff... :(

I still miss him... what a leader, not perfect, but I felt safe. And he proved why alot of us felt that way.

Too bad he would never really know first hand.

[tbskms]

On top of all that, he took a bullet himself in an assasination attempt on his life while in office as president. Some of the younger people here may not be aware of that bit of history.

Not only did he talk the talk, he also walked the walk!

[HammerofHeretics]

Reagan had a fine grasp on history and a true appreciation of great literature. He knew what he wanted to say and he said it from the heart. Will we ever see a President of his caliber again?

[BrianJensen]

No, Apparently we have this new president whos been in office since he left office, hes been running the government for going on 6 presidential terms, hes thin and extremely liberal and progressive, hes, the teleprompter of the united states.

[irishshortybob]

Just wait for me to run.

[conservitgirl]

My eternal thanks to all including my dad. God Bless! Cant watch without choking up. I hope we can find our way back and have a military left when we get there.

[smogboy]

I was a young man when he was president did not know enough about him then but now I realize what a great great man he was .I hope we never forget him . RONALD WILSON REAGAN THANK YOU.

[Runnerwhirled]

Sincerity, respect, dignity, and class. When he spoke these words, you knew it wasn't a photo op, or publicity stunt - it was from the heart.  How I miss this great man.

[blastforth]

I thought this was the speech during which a US aircraft carrier dramatically passed by. If so, you cannot see it in this video. Anyone know if/where a video of that is available?

[lees20022]

Reagan makes both Bushes, Clinton and Obama seem like arrogant fools.

[RonocDondra352]

@lees20022 and ford, carter, nixon, and LBJ

[briannatube]

A long time ago in a galaxy far far away...

[campsteveo]

God, Please send us another Brother Reagan. Amen

[SINKUSUC]

Gods Speed Ronnie, and to The boys of pointe du hoc, our eternal thanks!

[charityGSHS]

Rangers lead the way!

[GodEqualsLove4ever]

Thank you for posting this speech is such high quality & in its completeness--its tribute documenting 'the boys of Pointe du Hoc, the men who took the cliffs' lives as an inspiration to those of future generations to strive to fight as bravely as the greatest generation for Freedom, liberation, good over evil w/ God as our Ally.

[FOARP]

Compare the relatively realistic and fair-minded tone of this speech to the dull boiler-plate of the speeches given today.

[kesiro1]

President Reagan was a GREAT man. His Normandy speeches were in my opinion amongst the greatest given by any President. It was never about him. It was about something greater, more noble, more righteous. It was an honor to be able to experience his time in office. I pray the my children can experience something similar, but I fear our current leadership will leave our nation in unrecognizable condition. God Bless our Military, past and present, and may God Bless President Reagan.

[Surfrider0701]

Like everyone else...how I miss this guy..it's too great to put into words. This speech gives me goosebumps everytime I play it.

[mimstech]

Without a doubt, a sharp contrast to the speech given today by Barry.

Bring back the Reagan Revolution!!

[pauliewalnuts1156]

I so miss President Reagan. He was a good, moral man. He was reverent and loved and feared the Lord. He loved his country, he was humble, yet proud. He was in awe of the position he held. I was never so confident in a President as I was when President Ronald Wilson Reagan was in the White House. God Bless you President Reagan.

[NMJune]

Paulie - Thank you for this touching tribute to a great man. You echo my thoughts exactly. We need a President who loves his country, is proud of the military, humbly believes in a Power greater than himself, and defends the principles of the Constitution. We need a President whose agenda is not about his own ego but about the continued growth of a free nation.

Ronald Reagan was that man and our nation was blessed with his presence and his leadership. God Bless him, and God Bless America.

[Utahrez]

If only my grand kids could live under a president like this.; a man who love this nation and the traditional principles that made it great.

[rstrand21]

To specify: My comments were directed at

julieapham

[a275ranger]

As an American Ranger I am deeply honored to have served under THIS Commander in Chief. God Bless President Reagan, a man who loved his country, believed in democracy, had genuine pride in our military, a rugged faith, and an unyielding vision of our country as the "shining city on the hill". Always remember 6/6/1944.

[skye820]

Seminal speech - and NO teleprompter!

[GaryCW11]

This is a speech that will live and resonate for generations to come. And is uniquely American... humble pride in the goodness America has brought to the world, and determined resolve to remember the sacrifices made in the defense of freedom.

[ToddonCapeCod]

Ah, to have a REAL president, like Reagan, again

Someone who actually loves this nation, and doesn't feel a need to go around apologizing for us merely defending ourselves

[RicktheRoman]

I am British and I think that this is one of the great speeches given to honour those who died for us in June 1944. Ronald Reagan, and Margaret Thatcher, were the best leaders of their generation - what Britain and America would do for their like again today.

I had the great pleasure to visit Reagan's library in California last year and was amazed by the reverence of most Americans of a certain age hold this great man. A wonderful man, a great President - he is sadly missed.

[Surfrider0701]

I agree with you greatly. You mention you're British, and for that I have to mention Winston Churchill. He was a great man as well as Reagan. Two different time periods though. ha

[urpokerboy]

Obama is Carter all over again. We will need another President Reagan to pick us and dust off after 4 years of kissing everyone's ass. The world looks to this country to lead, you can't lead if you are on your knees. But what do you know about leaders, you voted for and empty suit who gets his words from a teleprompter a true wag the dog speaker. Emanuel runs the WH.

[schmarcie]

"Emanuel runs the WH."

I think that you hit the nail on the head!

[DivineMoments]

President Reagan Loved America.. He Loved Liberty.. He was a Noble man who lived a modest life. No Pride.. No Conceit.. No Contempt.. He did not have one mean bone in his body.. He was an Exceptional man leading an Exceptional Country.. How I miss him and all he stood for. God Help us now.

[FlipTheDK]

What is said in this speech made 25 years ago that as anything to do with Obama? And nothing I heard in the speech makes me hate or cling to anything, only to remember those 10,000 died on 6/6/44. I would bet that's the only thing your excellent Commander in Chief will remember tommorrow!

[marchhare28]

You talk rage after all that your side has said about President Bush the past 8 years?

At least I have the videos of a true USA loving President Reagan from Normandy celebrating the bravery of Americans to share with my grandchildren, and not out on an apology tour like the present President loves to go on.

[maryandgrace53]

Agree with all the above. Of all times in our Nation's

history not to have a Commander in Chief.

A Veteran who comes from a family of Vets who have

served.

[harrisonhomestour]

Amazing! Here is a president who spoke of the greatness of our nation, the providence of our God and optimism for our future.

That must mean Obama is the anti-Reagan.

[ork4thk]

Every time I see this speech replayed, it makes my eyeballs sweat. I truly wish that the American people today had the resolve that those great men had.