President Obama's D-Day activities?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Reba

Reba

Retired Terp
Premium Member
Joined
Jun 8, 2004
Messages
54,839
Reaction score
1,518
What did President Obama do to recognize D-Day this year? I can't find anything in a web search or at whitehouse.gov. Did he make any speeches or attend any events this weekend in honor of D-Day? :dunno:
 
Golfing
 
Reba said:
That's it? Nothing to honor those who sacrificed on D-Day?
Click to expand...

I was joking but I doubt he would do such thing. I just did some digging... here's what I found
 
Obama honors D-Day brave in ceremonies in France
FROM WIRE REPORTS The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Associated Press
COLLEVILLE-SUR-MER, France – President Barack Obama led a solemn tribute Saturday to the Allied soldiers who stormed the beaches here 65 years ago and achieved the triumph that charted a course for the end of World War II.

"Friends and veterans, what we cannot forget – what we must not forget – is that D-Day was a time and a place where the bravery and selflessness of a few was able to change the course of an entire century," the president said.

"At an hour of maximum danger, amid the bleakest of circumstances, men who thought themselves ordinary found it within themselves to do the extraordinary."

On the fourth day of his trip through the Middle East and Europe, Obama also addressed present-day threats, signaling earlier in the day a tougher approach to North Korea.

"We are not intending to continue a policy of rewarding provocation," he said in nearby Caen, referring to the North's latest nuclear test and missile test launches.

But the day's focus remained on the events of 65 years ago.

In brilliant sunshine that gave way to imposing clouds, waves crashed against the landing beaches where 156,000 Allied troops, almost half of them American, came ashore beginning June 6, 1944, an assault that opened the way to the liberation of Europe.

Above the beaches, now best known by their D-Day code names – Utah, Omaha, Juno, Gold and Sword – thousands of people made a pilgrimage to the American cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer.

This anniversary assumed special significance because veterans of the battle are reaching their 80s and 90s, and their numbers are dwindling. One American veteran, Jim Norene, who fought with the 101st Airborne Division, came back for Saturday's ceremony but died in his sleep Friday night.

"Jim was gravely ill when he left his home, and he knew that he might not return," Obama said. "But just as he did 65 years ago, he came anyway. May he now rest in peace with the boys he once bled with and may his family always find solace in the heroism he showed here."

In his 16-minute address, Obama also told the story of Zane Schlemmer of Kane'ohe, Hawaii, a member of the 82nd Airborne Division who parachuted into a dark marsh and was separated from his men but helped liberate Carentan, the town in which he landed.

He told of Anthony Ruggiero of Plymouth, Mass., who fought in the Army's 2nd Ranger Battalion and spent three hours in chilling water before scaling the cliffs of Pointe du Hoc to destroy German guns.

"You remind us that our future is not shaped by mere chance or circumstance," Obama said to the gathered veterans. "You could have done only what was necessary to ensure your own survival. But that's not what you did. That's not the story you told on D-Day."

Obama spoke not only of individual heroism, but also of wartime industriousness in the United States.

"It was unknowable then," he said, "but so much of the progress that would define the 20th century, on both sides of the Atlantic, came down to the battle for a slice of beach only 6 miles long and 2 miles wide."

The thousands gathered at the grave sites, where 9,387 American soldiers lie beneath bone-white crosses and Stars of David, included active-duty troops, heads of state and Hollywood stars.

Actor Tom Hanks, who came ashore on D-Day in the movie Saving Private Ryan, posed for pictures with fans.

Obama's great-uncle Charles Payne, who as a soldier helped liberate the Buchenwald concentration camp nearly a year after D-Day, watched from the front row alongside first lady Michelle Obama.

Obama's address followed those of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Britain's Prince Charles represented the royal family.

Early in his speech, Obama acknowledged former Sen. Robert Dole, who was badly wounded in World War II and attended the ceremony with his wife, former Sen. Elizabeth Dole. Obama thanked Susan Eisenhower, granddaughter of Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, who the president noted "began this mission 65 years ago with a simple charge: 'OK, let's go.' "

As the ceremony concluded, a 21-cannon salute boomed out over the Atlantic, and the playing of taps sent tears streaming down weathered cheeks. Fighter jets screamed over the crowd – a lone aircraft breaking off to rocket skyward in a missing-man formation.

Another anniversary had passed, and 65 years later, the soldiers walked away from the beach again.
Click to expand...
 
I see that Obama went to Ford theater instead. I demand explanation. :mad2:
 
Reba, this is a continuing pattern on Obama's part. He seems to not care to go the extra mile and distance on a special day of observance. He is, after all, the Commander in Chief. I think he tries everything to avoid associating himself as a CiC with the rest of the anti-war crowd. He is the exact opposite of Bush who went the distance, even to meet with families of those whose sons or daughters who were killed in Iraq or Afghanistan. He made sure he paid special tribute on D-Day, Veterans Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and other holidays to remind people of the sacrifices our troops have to go through. Freedom is never free. Our freedom is paid in blood.
 
kokonut said:
Reba, this is a continuing pattern on Obama's part. He seems to not care to go the extra mile and distance on a special day of observance. He is, after all, the Commander in Chief. I think he tries everything to avoid associating himself as a CiC with the rest of the anti-war crowd. He is the exact opposite of Bush who went the distance, even to meet with families of those whose sons or daughters who were killed in Iraq or Afghanistan. He made sure he paid special tribute on D-Day, Veterans Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and other holidays to remind people of the sacrifices our troops have to go through. Freedom is never free. Our freedom is paid in blood.
Click to expand...

So Bush did one thing right. He was still just as bad as Obama at being president
 
AndyE9503 said:
So Bush did one thing right. He was still just as bad as Obama at being president
Click to expand...

Bush never ran up a $1.4 trillion dollar deficit in his first year in office. Everything Obama's doing is nearly the opposite of what Bush has done. Obama is simply in over his head. Makes you wonder why so many mini-"vacations" and golfing?
 
kokonut said:
Bush never ran up a $1.4 trillion dollar deficit in his first year in office. Everything Obama's doing is nearly the opposite of what Bush has done. Obama is simply in over his head. Makes you wonder why so many mini-"vacations" and golfing?
Click to expand...

Ummm... WMD anyone. That was a lot of money Bush wasted for nothing. And guess what, we are still paying for that one. But we are getting off topic so I am done chatting about Bush
 
Hey, all, please stay on track.

Notice the thread topic doesn't include Bush or deficits.

:ty:
 
Reba said:
Hey, all, please stay on track.

Notice the thread topic doesn't include Bush or deficits.

:ty:
Click to expand...

I disagree........I see a major deficit in Presidential leadership here :giggle:

Sorry...... This is really really bad. No excuse for it.
 
Jiro said:
I was joking but I doubt he would do such thing. I just did some digging... here's what I found
Click to expand...

I am surprised you didn't remember that visit to France was last year.....It was a big deal. We all make mistakes though. No biggie...:wave:
 
TXgolfer said:
I am surprised you didn't remember that visit to France was last year.....It was a big deal. We all make mistakes though. No biggie...:wave:
Click to expand...

how is it big deal? it's "routine". All US Presidents are expected to celebrate D-Day. It is big deal to me when our President doesn't.
 
Jiro said:
how is it big deal? it's "routine". All US Presidents are expected to celebrate D-Day. It is big deal to me when our President doesn't.
Click to expand...

Being in France last year for D Day was a big news story......That's all
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top