For history in journalism. He is the author of seven books including narratives of five different american wars. All of these are known for their Extensive Research and histories. They include the liberation trilogy, the first volume of this trilogy won the Pulitzer Prize in 2003 for history. All three copies are available so, available for sale in the back. He will also be signing copies later tonight of his latest book, the british are coming the war for america. Lexington to princeton. Again, multiple copies are available in the back. Rick and tim we are extremely privileged to have you here with us tonight and we are looking forward to a wonderful evening. It is all yours. [ applause ] thank you so much. When i walk into a room like this, i always thought the, seek out the First World War ii veterans. We have these guys in the front row here. I am always drawn to them and want to know what their story was, where they were, what theater they served in and their own personal stories.
Outnumbered and literally outgunned. Everything that everyone did was an act of bravery. When you are in the line, youre one person. They were about protecting mankind based on those values. That to me has always been the mainstay of how you actually win over evil. It was the most monumental military operation in modern history. Dday, june 6th, 1944. Now 75 years later, we look back in remembrance on those beaches, the triumphs, the tragedy and the brilliant plans that ultimately liberated a continent. Tonight, you will hear the stories of some of our heroes and you will join them as they journey back to normandy. Im martha maccallum. Thank you for joining us for remembering dday, a 75th anniversary special. There was nothing like the german machinery. The capability and leadership of the German Military which was absolutely first rate. They militarized the rhineland, sending troops in there, and they were under orders from hitler that if they encountered any opposition whatsoever, the
France 75 years ago on june 6 , 1944. Next, President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump join french president emmanuel at the Memorial Cemetery in france to mark ddays 75th anniversary. [ applause ] [ music playing ] ladies and gentlemen, please rise for the arrival of president emmanuelle macron. Pub president of the republic of france and Donald J Trump, president of the United States. Come on up this way. [ laughter ] please join me in the playing of the french and union colors and the invitation. Oh, 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, thro the perilous fight, oer the ramparts we watchd, were so gallantly streaming . And the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof thro the night that our flag was still there. O say, does that star spangled banner yet wave oer the land of the free and the home of the brave . Mesh ladies and gentlemen, please remain standing for t
Please remain standing for the posting of the colors and the playing of the National Anthems of the french republic and the United States of america. [ applause ] president hollande, president obama, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, please be seated. It is our privilege to welcome all the distinguished visitors joining us today. We extend a special welcome to the dday and world war ii veterans and their family members in attendance who honor us all with their presence. Today we commemorate the 70th anniversary of the dday landings which began on the morning of june 6th, 1944. Todays ceremony will honor our military men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for the liberation of europe, including among those we honor are the 9,387 of our fallen veterans inturned at this sacred ground and 1,557 missing in action endescribed on the wall of the missing. [ speaking Foreign Language ] ladies and gentlemen, please bow your heads for the invocation delivered by the ref end f. Ri
I may say, of the extent to which that history is being taught in our schools and colleges. Particularly in our schools. The ignorance of the history of our country and particularly of its military history is being widely ignored and thats got to be fixed. And one of the best people to fix it, of course, is our speaker this morning, alex kershaw. We feel in this 75th year of the anniversary of dday, particularly close to what we call the greatest generation, on memorial day we honored americans who had paid the supreme sacrifice in all of our wars. But weve always felt a particular closeness to what we call the greatest generation many of whom are slowly passing from the scene. Steven ambrose, biographer said the quality of character that we impute to them is one which has grown increasingly rare in our culture. Namely, modesty. More than one of these gentlemen is said to me that when people thank him for his service, he is embarrassed. He thanks them for their thanks. But what else wo