In France, President Donald Trump commemorated all of the American and French soldiers who served in World War I in honor of the 100-year anniversary of Armistice Day.
IJR reports:
At the Suresnes American Cemetery in France, the president praised those who fought to secure a “great,” but “costly” victory, ending the “brutal” World War I.
“The American and French patriots of World War I embody the timeless virtues of our two republics: honor and courage, strength and valor, love and loyalty, grace and glory,” President Trump said.
President Trump explained that 1 million French soldiers and 116,000 American service members had sacrificed their lives by the end of World War I.
“It was the single deadliest battle in United States history,” President Trump said.
WWI killed nearly 7 million civilians and 10 million military personnel in total combined, in which two out of every three soldiers died in battle while others died of infections and disease.
On this Veterans Day — the 100th Anniversary of the end of WWI, we honor the brave HEROES who fought for America in the Great War, and every Veteran who has worn the uniform and kept our Nation Safe, Strong and FREE! https://t.co/zBvvYRR7XE pic.twitter.com/YO06ztfvNm
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) 11 November 2018
President Trump shared the words of a young soldier that was written a few days before the war had ended:
“Dear mother, I think of you all at home and I know if I am spared to get back that I shall appreciate home more than ever, ever before. It will seem like heaven to me to be once more where there is peace and only peace.”
That same soldier died on November 11, 1918, in the “final hours of battle.”
“Though sadly he did not make it, he was among the countless young men who never returned home, but through their sacrifice, they ascended to peace in heaven,” President Trump said.
Among those in attendance were both Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and White House Chief of Staff John Kelly, World War II veterans, military leaders and congressmen, The Hill reported.
H/T ijr.com