On the ‘Ways to Peace’

President Coolidge, flanked by the Secretary of War John W. Weeks and Assistant Secretary of the Navy Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. bestowing the customary wreath upon the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, January 1924. Photo credit: Library of Congress.

“This Nation approaches no ceremony with such universal sanction as that which is held in commemoration over the graves of those who have performed military duty. In our respect for the living and our reverence for the dead, in the unbounded treasure which we have poured out in bounties, in the continual requiem services which we have held, America at least has demonstrated that republics are not ungrateful. It is one of the glories of our country that so long as we remain faithful to the cause of justice and truth and liberty, this action will continue. We have waged no wars to determine a secession, establish a dynasty, or glorify a reigning house. Our military operations have been for the service of the cause of humanity. The principles on which they have been fought have more and more come to be accepted as the ultimate standards of the world. They have been of an enduring substance, which is not weakened but only strengthened by the passage of time and the contemplation of reason.

“Our experience in that respect ought not to lead us too hastily to assume that we have been therefore better than other people, but certainly we have been more fortunate. We came on the stage at a later time, so that this country had presented to it, already attained, a civilization that other countries had secured only as a result of a long and painful struggle. Of the various races of which we are composed, substantially all have a history for making warfare which is oftentimes hard to justify, as they have come up through various degrees of development. They bore this burden in ages past in order that this country might be freed from it. Under the circumstances it behooves us to look on their record of advance through great difficulties with much compassion and be thankful that we have been spared from a like experience, and out of our compassion and our thankfulness constantly to remember that because of greater advantages and opportunities we are charged with superior duties and obligations. Perhaps no country on earth has greater responsibilities than America.”

— President Calvin Coolidge, Arlington, May 1926

Coolidge’s Assistant Secretary of the Navy back in 1924 went on to still more auspicious service. Theodore Roosevelt Jr., on this day eighty years ago, went on to be the oldest man (age 56) to take part in initial D-Day landings, at his own request. His friends and fellow officers never thought they’d see him again. “We’ll start the war from right here!” he shouted as he disembarked from the landing craft to step ashore with the first wave of Allied troops at Normandy. He not only demonstrated the irrepressible Roosevelt spirit but secured the first position for the troops reaching shore and came to 4th Infantry’s General Barton full of vital intel on the battlefield. His son, Quentin, also landed with the first wave that day. Photo credit: R. White.

Our salute to all who have heard, with compassion and gratitude, America’s call not to be served but to rise up and serve. Our thoughts are with all who were there that fateful day in 1944.