Trump Honors America’s Military and History on Festive and Stormy Fourth
President Donald Trump offered three cheers for the red, white and blue this Independence Day, celebrating America’s military and history in a speech from the Lincoln Memorial. His “Salute to America” was long on patriotic pride and short on politics. (Though this didn’t stop his critics from blasting the speech before, during and after.)
Standing before crowd of hundreds of thousands who had braved downpours and muggy — dare we say, swampy — conditions on the National Mall, Trump saluted our nation’s greatest heroes and accomplishments.
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.
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1146938775689412608
This was the first time in almost 70 years a president has given an Independence Day speech from the Mall. (The last was President Truman on the 175th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.)
The event featured Trump honoring each branch of the military, accompanied by awesome flyovers from helicopters, jet fighters, and a B2 bomber with a jaw-dropping Blue Angels.
What an awesome photo! pic.twitter.com/3b5UioQUbx
— Lisa Mei Crowley (@LisaMei62) July 5, 2019
Trump’s tribute included encouraging young people to join the military.
The future of American freedom rests on the shoulders of men and women willing to defend it. Now is the chance to join our military and make a truly great statement in life, and you should do it.
Between the President’s pitch, and the planes and the tanks and the stories of heroes past, the night could be seen as one great recruitment commercial for the military. (For perspective, “Salute to America” cost an estimated $2.5 million. A :30 spot on last year’s Super Bowl cost between $5.1 and $5.3 million. In other words, over twice as much. A point clearly lost on those screaming about the event’s cost.)
Stormy Washington
The weather in Washington had been as tumultuous as the flag-burning protests that took place at the White House a few short hours earlier. Storms delayed the President by roughly half an hour, but cleared out enough for Trump to speak. The clouds also managed to hold together long enough for the massive crowd to enjoy Washington’s traditional fireworks extravaganza.
No words. The entire thing was like a finale. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/BibgZmYiHa
— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) July 5, 2019
STUNNING: Fireworks filled the sky above the National Mall in Washington, D.C. on Independence Day. 🎆 https://t.co/76QfY3Q4oI pic.twitter.com/8Hq5TSGD0e
— CBS News (@CBSNews) July 5, 2019
Said the President of the United States, “We will never forget that we are Americans, and the future belongs to us. We share one home, one heart and we are all made by one almighty God.”
WATCH HIGHLIGHTS:
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 5, 2019
WATCH ENTIRE SPEECH:
