Pete Hegseth Commemorates the 81st Anniversary of the D-Day

TRANSCRIPT:

HEGSETH: "81 years ago, Hitler thought his Atlantic wall was impenetrable. Many agreed. He clearly had not met enough Americans. A more daring assault had never been planned. The task was daunting: a frontal assault across the channel on beaches and cliffs strewn with obstacles, and defended by heavily fortified bunkers. Our only advantage is that the enemy underestimated the strength of the allied war cause. Invasion would include brave troops from the U.S., Great Britain, Canada, France, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Belgium, Norway, Poland, Greece and Holland. On the ground, the French Resistance covertly aided the effort. And as the troops loaded into their ships, planes and landing craft, they received copies of an order from General Eisenhower reminding them of the stakes of their mission. I have a copy right here. He wrote, 'You’re 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 the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world. Your task will not be an easy one.' He ends by writing, 'And let us all beseech the blessings of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.' Now that’s a mission statement if I've ever heard one."