Presidents Don't Do This Anymore

I gave a manuscript speech last week. (Pick a speech that already exists and redeliver it.) I wanted to share it with all of you, because it is an oldie, but a goody. ;D

[I am also going to add the introduction I wrote for the speech.]

I had a hard time finding a speech, or rather finding a story I wanted to retell. At first I wanted to take a humorous approach, "I did not have sexual relations with that woman." Then I wanted a more current approach, "A great people has been called to defend a great nation."

But, I wanted to retell the beauty of America. I wanted to retell a story of pride and patriotism. I wanted to remind myself of the greatness of a nation, and the power a president has over his people.

So, I want to take you back to 1944.

The D-Day invasion began at 6:30 a.m. on June 6. By midnight about 57,000 American and 75,000 British and Canadian soldiers had gotten to the beaches of Normandy. Allied losses on D-Day included 2,500 killed and 8,500 wounded.

Our president, Franklin D. Roosevelt did something that I have only seen in the movies— he prayed for the nation. He addressed a nation and offered a prayer over radio—he comforted a nation. America needed to be reassured.

In his address to the people that evening, he came before a nation, not just as the president, not just the commander in chief, but as a citizen—he uses personal words like "we, our, and us." He is also very careful in the choice of words. He uses words that instill pride, passion and patriotism.

So let me take you back to June 6, 1944, into the dim-lit living rooms, cars, and diners, where the nation was listening as the president prayed for the sons of America, their families, and our cause in WWII.

"Let our hearts be stout"

My Fellow Americans:

Last night, when I spoke with you about the fall of Rome, I knew at that moment that troops of the United States and our Allies were crossing the Channel in another and greater operation. It has come to pass with success thus far.

And so, in this poignant hour, I ask you to join with me in prayer:

Almighty God: Our sons, pride of our nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity.

Lead them straight and true; give strength to their arms, stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness in their faith.

They will need Thy blessings. Their road will be long and hard. For the enemy is strong. He may hurl back our forces. Success may not come with rushing speed, but we shall return again and again; and we know that by Thy grace, and by the righteousness of our cause, our sons will triumph.

They will be sore, tried, by night and by day, without rest -- until the victory is won. The darkness will be rent by noise and flame. Men’s souls will be shaken with the violences of war.
For these men are lately drawn from the ways of peace. They fight not for the lust of conquest. They fight to end conquest. They fight to liberate. They fight to let justice arise, and tolerance and goodwill among all Thy people. They yearn but for the end of battle, for their return to the haven of home.

Some will never return. Embrace these, Father, and receive them, Thy heroic servants, into Thy kingdom.

And for us at home -- fathers, mothers, children, wives, sisters, and brothers of brave men overseas, whose thoughts and prayers are ever with them -- help us, Almighty God, to rededicate ourselves in renewed faith in Thee in this hour of great sacrifice.

Many people have urged that I call the nation into a single day of special prayer. But because the road is long and the desire is great, I ask that our people devote themselves in a continuance of prayer. As we rise to each new day, and again when each day is spent, let words of prayer be on our lips, invoking Thy help to our efforts.

Give us strength, too -- strength in our daily tasks, to redouble the contributions we make in the physical and the material support of our armed forces.
And let our hearts be stout, to wait out the long travail, to bear sorrows that may come, to impart our courage unto our sons wheresoever they may be.

And, O Lord, give us faith. Give us faith in Thee; faith in our sons; faith in each other; faith in our united crusade. Let not the keeness of our spirit ever be dulled. Let not the impacts of temporary events, of temporal matters of but fleeting moment -- let not these deter us in our unconquerable purpose.

With Thy blessing, we shall prevail over the unholy forces of our enemy. Help us to conquer the apostles of greed and racial arrogances.

Lead us to the saving of our country, and with our sister nations into a world unity that will spell a sure peace -- a peace invulnerable to the schemings of unworthy men. And a peace that will let all of men live in freedom, reaping the just rewards of their honest toil.

Thy will be done, Almighty God.

Amen.

Franklin D. Roosevelt - June 6, 1944