Direction of colonel andrew esch. Present arms. O, say can you see by the dawns early light what so proudly we haild at the twilights last gleaming . Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight oer the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming . And the rockets red glare the bombs bursting in air gave proof through the night that our flag was still there o, say does that starspangled banner yet wave oer the land of the free and the home of the brave . [applause] ladies and gentlemen, the president of the United States, donald j. Trump, and the first lady of the United States, melania trump. [playing hail to the chief] [applause] [chanting usa] [cheers and applause] pres. Trump hello, america, hello. [cheers and applause] pres. Trump the first lady and i wish each and every one of you a happy Independence Day on this truly historic fourth of july. Today, we come together as one nation with this very special salute to america. We celebrate our history, our people, and the heroes who proudly defend our flag, the brave men and women of the United States military. [cheers and applause] pres. Trump we are pleased to have with us Vice President mike pence and his wonderful wife, karen. [cheers and applause] pres. Trump we are also joined by many hardworking members of congress, acting secretary of defense mark esper, and many other members of my cabinet, and also the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff gerald joe dunford. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. [cheers and applause] pres. Trump Lieutenant GeneralDaniel Hokanson of the national guard, and distinguished leaders representing each branch of the United States armed forces. The army, navy, air force, coast guard, marines, and very soon, the space force. [cheers and applause] pres. Trump as we gather this evening in the joy of freedom, we remember that all share a truly extraordinary heritage. Together, we are part of one of the greatest stories ever told, the story of america. It is the epic tale of a great nation whose people have risked everything for what they know is right and what they know is true. It is the chronicle of brave citizens who never give up on the dream of a better and brighter future, and it is the saga of 13 separate colonies that united to form the most just and virtuous republic ever conceived. On this day 243 years ago, our Founding Fathers pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to declare independence and defend our godgiven rights. [cheers and applause] pres. Trump Thomas Jefferson wrote the words that forever changed the course of humanity. We hold these truths to be selfevident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. [cheers and applause] pres. Trump with a single sheet of parchment and 56 signatures, america began the greatest political journey in human history. But on that day, the patriots who would determined the ultimate success were 100 miles away in new york. There, the Continental Army prepared to make it stand, commanded by the beloved general George Washington. [cheers and applause] pres. Trump as the delegates debated the declaration in philadelphia, Washingtons Army watch from manhattan as a massive invading fleet loomed dangerously across new york harbor. The british had come to crush the revolution in its infancy. Washingtons message to his troops laid bare the stakes. He wrote, the fate of unborn millions will now depend under god on the courage and conduct of this army. We have therefore to resolve to conquer or die. [cheers and applause] pres. Trump days later, general washington ordered the declaration read aloud to the troops, the assembled soldiers, just joined an excited crowd , running down broadway. They toppled a statue of king george and melted it into bullets for battle. The faraway king would soon learn a timeless lesson about the people of this majestic land. Americans love our freedom, and no one will ever take it away from us. [cheers and applause] that same american spirit that emboldened our founders has kept us strong throughout our history. To this day, that spirit runs through the veins of every american patriot. It lives on in each and every one of you here today. And it is the, defiance, excellence and adventure, courage and confidence, loyalty and love that built this country into the most exceptional nation in the history of the world, and our nation ever was before. It is its strongest now. ] [chanting usa] pres. Trump that same righteous american spirit forged our glorious constitution, that rugged american character led the legendary explorers lewis and clark on their perilous expedition across an untamed continent. It drove others to journey west and stake out their claim on the wild frontier. Devotion to our founding ideals led american patriots to abolish the people of slavery, secure civil rights, and expand the blessings of liberty to all americans. [cheers and applause] pres. Trump this is the noble purpose that inspired Abraham Lincoln to rededicate our nation to a new birth of freedom and to resolve that we will always have a government of, by, and for the people. [cheers and applause] our quest for greatness unleashed a culture of discovery that led Thomas Edison to imagine his lightbulb, alexander greenbelt to create the telephone, the Wright Brothers to look through the sky and see the next great frontier. For americans, nothing is impossible. [cheers and applause] exactly 50 years ago this month, the world watched in as apollo 11 astronauts launched into space with a wake of fire and nerves of steel and planted our Great American lag on the face of the moon American Flag on the face of the moon. Half a century later, we are thrilled to have tonight the nassau fight flight director who led Mission Control during that historic endeavor, the renowned jean krantz gene krantz. [cheers and applause] pres. Trump i want you to know that we are going to be back on the moon very soon, and someday soon we will plant the American Flag on mars. [cheers and applause] our nations creativity and genius lit up the lights of broadway and the soundstages of hollywood. It filled the concert halls and airwaves around the world with the sound of jazz, opera, country, rock n roll, and rhythm and blues. It gave birth to the musical, the motion picture, the western, the world series, the super bowl, the skyscraper, the suspension bridge, the assembly line, and Mighty American automobile. [cheers and applause] pres. Trump it led our citizens to push the bounds of medicine and lions to save the lives of medicine and science to save the lives of million. Thus tonight with us tonight is with a doctor. 99 of children with leukemia died. Thanks largely to his breakthrough treatments, currently 90 of those with the most common childhood leukemias survive. Great american a hero, thank you. [cheers and applause] pres. Trump americans always take care of each other. That love and unity held together the first pilgrims. It forged communities on the great plains. It inspired clara barton to found the red cross, and it keeps our nation thriving today. Here tonight from the Florida Panhandle is tina belcher. Her selfless generosity over three decades has made her known to all as missus angel. Every time a hurricane strikes, missus angel turns her tiny kitchen into a Disaster Relief center. On a single day after hurricane michael, she gave 476 people a warm meal. Missus angel, your boundless heart inspires us all. Thank you. [cheers and applause] pres. Trump thank you very much. Days,ur earliest americans of faith have uplifted our nation. This evening, we are joined by sister deirdre byrne. Sister byrne is a retired surgeon who served for nearly 30 years. On september 11, 2001, that sister raced to ground zero through smoke and debris. She administered first aid and comfort to all. Today, sister burned runs sister byrne runs a Medical Clinic in our nations capital. Thank you for your lifetime of service. Thank you. [cheers and applause] pres. Trump our nation has always honored the heroes that serve our communities. The firefighters, first responders, police, sheriffs, ice, boulder border patrol, and the brave men and women of law enforcement. [cheers and applause] wes. Trump on this july 4, pay special tribute to the military Service Members who laid down their lives for our nation. We are deeply moved to be in the presence this evening of goldstar families whose loved ones made the supreme sacrifice. Thank you. [cheers and applause] pres. Trump thank you very much. Throughout our history, our country has been made ever greater by citizens who risked it all for equality and for justice. Theyears ago this summer, womans Suffrage Movement led congress to pass the kinds the constitutional amendment giving women the right to vote. [cheers and applause] pres. Trump in 1960, a thirst for justice led africanamerican students to sit down at the woolworth lunch counter in a greensboro, north carolina. It was one of the very first civil rights sit ins, and it started a movement all across our nation. Clarence henderson was 18 years old when he took his place in history. Almost six decades later, he is here tonight in a seat of honor. Clarence, thank you for making this country a much better place for all americans. [cheers and applause] pres. Trump in 1963, reverend Martin Luther king jr. Stood here on these very steps and called on our nation to live out the true meaning of its creed and let freedom ring for every citizen all across our land. Hasicas fearless resolve inspired leaders who defined our national character, from George Washington, john adams, and betsy ross. To frederick douglass. The great frederick douglass. Amelia earhart, douglas macarthur, dwight eisenhower, jackie robinson, and of course, john glenn. [cheers and applause] our. Trump it has willed warriors up mountains and across minefields. It has liberated consonants, split the atom, and brought tyrants and empires to their knees. Here with us this evening is earl morse. After retiring from the air force, earl worked at a va hospital in ohio. Earl found that many world war ii veterans could not afford to visit their memorial on the national mall, so earl began the very first honor flights, that have now brought over 200,000 world war ii heroes to visit americas monument. [cheers and applause] pres. Trump earl, thank you, we salute you. Thank you. Thank you thank you, earl. Our patriots running all the way back to the first souls who fought and won american independence. Today, just as it did 243 years ago, the future of American Freedom rests in the shoulders of men and women willing to defend it. We are proudly joined tonight by heroes from each branch of the u. S. Armed forces, including three recipients of the congressional medal of honor. Thank you. [cheers and applause] pres. Trump they and served theyense distinction and thousands before us and immense distinction. Now it is your chance to join our military and make a truly great state of life, and you should do it. We will now begin our celebration of the United States armed forces, honoring each history,unique service, and distinct legacy. Secretary mark andr, secretary of defense, chairman dunford, head of the joint chiefs of staff, please join me. [cheers and applause] pres. Trump in august of 1790 by request of George Washington and alexander hamilton, congress established a fleet of 10 swift vessels to defend our shores. Wouldrevenue cutters fight pilots, stop smugglers, and safeguard our borders. They are the ancestors of our faithful coast guard. [cheers and applause] when our ships were seized and sailors kidnapped by foreign powers in 1812, it was a revenue cutter, the swift schooner Thomas Jefferson that swept into capture the first bustle of the war. When 265 whalers were trapped in alaskathe ice fields of and the ice fields of alaska were closing up, officers tracked 1500 miles through the frozen frontier to rescue those starving men from certain death. Guard mannedcoast Landing Craft for invasions in the pacific. When the enemy attacked u. S. Marines from the shores of aquatic and now, coast guard single women douglass single man Douglas Munroe used his own boat to shield his comrades from pounding gunfire. Munroe gave his life. Hundreds of marines were saved. Hise lay dying on the deck, final question embodied devotion that sales with every coast guardsman. Did they get off . [cheers and applause] pres. Trump on dday, the coast guards famous match buckley matchbox served through every hour of the amphibious invasion the most famous and for bs vision in the history of our country. Still, the coast guard braved death and put our boys on utah and omaha beaches. [cheers and applause] every coast guardman is trusted to put service before all. Coasties plunge from helicopters and barrel through pouring rain and crashing waves to save american lives. They secure our borders from drug runners and terrorist, in rough seas. Sharpshooters take out smugglers with a single shot. They never miss. When the red racing stripes of a coast guard vessel rake the chopper when their blades pierce the sky, those in distress no help is on the way and our enemies know their time has come. [applause] these governors they stand sent for semper peratus. They are already ready always ready. They are the United States coast guard. An hh60 soon see and helicopter, along with an hh65 dolphin from air station Atlantic City and an ac 144 from air station miami. [applause] pres. Trump thank you to the coast guard. On a cold december morning in 1903, something occurred over the dunes of kitty hawk, north carolina, went to bicycle makers from ohio the five gravity with a 12 horsepower engine, wings made of cotton and a few dollars in their pockets. Later, america was training its first pilots to take these machines up and over the field of battle. I, we rushed the skies of europe and aces like Eddie Rickenbacker has details mitchell shared the promise of this technology and wrist courtmartial risk a courtmartial. Courtmartial. America stood in the way. We would not let it happen. [applause] harbor,ump after pearl lieutenant criminal the tenant colonel james do litter james Lieutenant ColonelJames Doolittle and his crew showed a feat of american resolve. Roosevelt said, the nazis built a fortress around europe, but they forgot to put a roof on it. We crushed them all from the air. 177 liberator bombers flew dangerously low through broad daylight to cripple the nazi war machine. More than 300 air men gave their lives to destroy the enemy. Five pilots were awarded the congressional medal of honor for their actions in that single rate. Yeager, whon chuck first broke the sound barrier. It was airman like buzz aldrin who traded their jets for rockets to the stars. Our air men today who wields the most powerful weapon systems on the planet. Years, no enemy air force has managed to kill a single american soldier because the skies belong to the United States of america. No enemy has attacked our people without being met by a roar of thunder. There are some who did farewell to earth and sort to the wild blue yonder. They are the United States air force, representing the air force, you will soon see beautiful, brandnew, f 22 raptors from Langley Air Force base. One magnificent b2 Stealth Bomber from missouri. Pres. Trump [applause] pres. Trump what a great country. 20 1775, the Continental Congress ordered the construction of two swift sailing vessels, each carrying 10 cannons and 80 men to sail east. Our young fleet tested their ceilings against the most powerful navy the world has ever seen. John paul jones, americas first world first naval hero said, i was to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast, so i intend to go in harms way. He got his wish many times, when his ship was shot into pieces off the coast of england by a british vessel and her four dozen guns. When demanded to surrender, he very famously declared, i have not yet begun to fight. [applause] pres. Trump when our navy begins fighting, they finished the job. The war of 1812, captain James Lawrence felt with his brothers on the uss josephine. His dying command gained immortality. Dont give up the ship. In the battle of mobile bay, Admiral David Farragut lashed himself to the rigging of his flagship to see beyond the cannon smoke, crying and the torpedoes, full speed ahead. In world war ii, it was u. S. Aviators launched from the carrier enterprise. Midwaylled the skies of during the time of the pacific war. Nobody could beat us or come close. On dday, engineers came on shore to destroy blockades and barriers. Many lost their lives, but they took the german defenses with and remained crushed up on the bases features like a mighty storm. From the demolition units from world war ii arose a force that became famous in the mequon delta. They dont want to see our forces again. The very best of the very best, the navy seals. It was the seals who deliver vengeance on the terrorists who planned september 11. Stranded eals who stood ready to bring my tribute retribution to those who do us harm. They are forged by the sea. With traditions are rich the soul and blood of three centuries. Every friend and foe knows that just assails those waters. Its the United States navy. Representing our great maybe today will be two f 18 super Naval Air Station oceana and virginia, along with two f35 lightnings from april from a Naval Air Station in california. Pres. Trump so great. In november of 1775, the Continental Congress created two battalions of the new kind of warrior, one who cap and would protect our ships and sailors and be at home both ashore and on the mast with musket in hand. Their versatility was proven in the war of independence, when 234 continental marines conducted their first amphibious raid, capturing the british supply of gunpowder and cannons at fort nassau. Ever since, marines have fought in every american war. The legend has grown and grown with each passing year. It was the marines who won the first overseas battle, pirates on barbary the shore is the shores of tripoli. Their high stiff collar, which shielded them earned them the immortal name, leatherneck. It was the marines who, after two long days of battle, marched through the halls of montezuma. It was the marines who had heavy casualties to keep the kaisers troops back in world war i, earning the title, devil dogs. And it was the marines who raised the flag on the black sands of iwo jima. From bagreservoirs, hdad, marines have struck fear into the hearts of our enemies and put solace into the hearts of our friends. Marines always lead the way. After the 1983 Marine Barracks bombing in beirut, which claimed the lives of 241 great u. S. Sergeantn, a marine lay in bandages, badly wounded, barely alive. When the commandant of the marine corps came to visit his hospital, he had to feel for the generals collar. He wanted to feel his four stars. He couldnt hear or speak. He signaled for pen and paper, and with shaking hand he wrote two words, semper fi. That motto, semper fidelis, always faithful, burns and the soul of every marine, a sacred promise the core is kept since the corps has kept since the birth of our country. They are the masters of battlefields across the globe. They are the United States marines. Representing the marine corpss today will be a brandnew bh 92, soon to serve as marine one. Along with two v 22 ospreys, helicoptermed squadron at quantico, the nighthawks. . [applause] pres. Trump in june of 1775, the Continental Congress created a unified army out of the revolutionary forces and camped around boston and new york. Named after the great george ,ashington, commander in chief the Continental Army suffered a bitter winter at valley forge, found glory across the waters of the delaware, and seized victory from cornwallis at yorktown. Our mayor our army manned the the ramparts, took over the airports, did whatever it had to do, and at fort mchenry under the rockets red glare, it had nothing but victory. When dawn came, the starspangled banner waived defiant. Waved antietam and gettysburg, our soldiers gave the last full measure of devotion for the true unity of our nation and the freedom of all americans. In the trenches of world war i, an Army Sergeant named alvin york faced an inferno of enemy fire and refused to retreat. I wont i wont leave, stop. He shot his rifle 18 times, killing 18 of the enemy. When they fixed they and its and charged, he killed fixed bayonets and charged, he killed seven more. The germans surrendered because of alvin york. A generation later, the army returned to europe and embarked crusade with knives and rifles in hand. The rangers scaled the cliffs of normandy, the 101st airborne danger fromhe above, illuminated only by enemy flares, explosion and burning aircraft, they drew back the nazi empire with lightning of their own from the turrets of sherman tanks and the barrels of m1 rifle. In the darkness of the battle of on every, with nazis side, one soldier is reported to have said, theyve got us surrounded again, the poor bastards. [laughter] [applause] pres. Trump outnumbered, americans thought through poor porkchop hill. The firsts cavalry made a stand with enemies at every turn. The army brought americas righteous fury down through al qaeda in afghanistan and killed the bloodthirsty killers from their caves. They liberated fallujah and muscle and helped liberate and obliterate the isis caliphate in syria 100 gone. Through centuries, our soldiers have always pointed towards this we willming, defend. They live by the creative douglas macarthur, in war, there is no substitute for victory. They are the greatest soldiers on earth. [applause] [applause] pres. Trump nearly 250 years ago, a volunteer army of farmers, blacksmiths, shopkeepers, merchants, and militiamen, risked life and limb to secure liberty and selfgovernment. This evening, we have witnessed the noble might of the warriors who continue that legacy. They guard our birthright with vigilance and fierce devotion to the flag and to our great country. Now, we must go forward as a nation with that same unity and purpose. As long as we stay true to our roots and remember our great history, as long as we never, ever stop fighting for a better future, then there will be nothing america cannot do. [applause] pres. Trump thank you. We will always be the people who defeated a tyrant. Crossed a continent, harnessed science, took to the skies and soared into the heavens, because we will never forget that we are americans, and the future belongs to us. The future belongs to the brave, the strong, the proud and the free. We are one people chasing one dream and one magnificent destiny. We all share the same heroes, the same home, the same heart, and we are all made by the same almighty god. From the banks of the chesapeake, to the cliffs of california, from the humming shores of the great lakes to the sand dunes of the carolinas, from the fields of the heartland to the everglades of florida, the spirit of american independence will never fade, but will reign for ever and ever. And ever. [applause] pres. Trump once more, so every citizen throughout our land, have a glorious Independence Day, have a great fourth of july. I want to thank the army band, the National Parks service, the interior department, the incredible pilots overhead, and those who are making possible the amazing fireworks display. Later this evening. Now, as the band plays, the battle hymn of the republic, i invite the first lady, Vice President and mrs. Pence to serve as secretaries and military leaders to join me on stage for one more salute to america by the famous blue angels. God bless you and god bless the military and god bless america. Happy fourth of july. [applause] eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the lord is stamping out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored marching on glory, glory, hallelujah hallelujahy, glory, glory, hallelujah on truth is marching i have seen him in the watchfires of a hundred circling camps they have builded him an altar in the evening dews and damps; i can read his righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps, his day is marching on hallelujahory, glory, glory, hallelujah glory, glory, hallelujah his truth is marching on in the beauty of the lilies christ was born across the sea with a glory in his bosom that trends figures you and me as he died to make men holy, let us die to make men free while god is marching on glory, glory, hallelujah glory, glory, hallelujah glory, glory, hallelujah his truth is marching on hallelujahy, glory, glory, hallelujah hallelujahy, his truth is marching on [applause] if tomorrow all the things were gone i worked for all my life and i had to start again with just my children and my wife i think my lucky stars to be living here today because the flag stands for freedom and they cant take that away and im proud to be an american where at least i know im free and i wont forget the men who died who gave that right to me usabless the from the lakes of minnesota to the hills of tennessee across the plains of texas from sea to shining sea from detroit down to houston and new york to l. A. Theres pride in every american heart and its time we stand and say that im proud to be an american where at least i know im free and i wont forget the men who died who gave that right to me and id gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today cause there aint no doubt i love this land god bless the u. S. A. And im proud to be an american where at least i know im free and i wont forget the men who died who gave that right to me and id gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today cause there aint no doubt i love this land god bless the usa [band playing] [band playing stars and stripes forever] cspans washington journal, live every day with news and policy issues that impact you. Friday morning, we talk with michael cannon of the Cato Institute about the state of health care in the u. S. , including proposals like democratic president ial candidates and the trump administrations related measures. Vote rob richie of fair discusses the Supreme Court decision regarding partisan gerrymandering. The groups efforts to push for nationwide ranked choice voting. Atch washington journal live 7 00 eastern friday morning. Join the discussion. I am a story of the an historian of the cold war. My friend said, why do you want to tackle this issue . Marriage and family and, you are jumping into a culture war. Do you want to do this . Professor paul will be our guest on indepth sunday from noon to 2 00 p. M. Eastern. His latest book is the design plan. Other did titles takedown, as well as books about the spiritual lives of ronald reagan, george w. Bush and hillary clinton. Join the conversation with your phone calls, tweets and facebook questions. Watch indepth with author paul kangor on book tv. Be sure to watch indepth next month with author lee edwards. Watch book tv every weekend on cspan2. Monday, remarks from bike Vice President mike pence, mike pompeo, and National Security advisor john bolton at the christians united for israel summit in washington. We will hear from benjamin byanyahu, who will speak satellite. See it live at 9 00 a. M. Eastern on cspan2. Also monday, a discussion on economic and financial sanctions against north korea. U. S. Is hosted by the institute of peace and starts live at 10 00 a. M. Eastern on cspan. Panelists examine the findings of a report on authoritarian governments and National Security threats. That is held by the American Enterprise institute and live coverage gets underway at 3 00 eastern on cspan three. There has been discussion about an appearance before congress. Any testimony from this office would not go beyond our report. It contains our findings and analysis and the reasons for the decisions we made. We chose those words carefully and the work speaks for itself. He report is my testimony i would not provide information beyond that which is already appearance before congress. Robert mueller is set to appear before to committees of congress on wednesday, july 17. That is 9 00 a. M. Eastern, testimony for the house judiciary committee. He will take questions from the house intelligence committee. Both are open sessions. His report into russian interference in the 2016 election will air live on cspan three come on cspan. Org or listen with the free radio app. Bread joins us brent cohen joins us. He serves as director of generation progress action. With thehe Connection Center for American Progress . Guest it is the young Adult Education abacus carm of the center for American Progress. Towork with 1835yearolds advance Progressive Solutions to the most pressing problems facing the nation and our generation. Will be talking about generations, the millennial generation and generation