‘Peace is not wished into being’ – One America News Network

“Eighty-two years ago, today, the survival of Western civilization hung in the balance. Dark forces had swept across Europe. Hitler boasted that his [coastal defensive] Atlantic Wall was impenetrable. But our enemy made a fatal miscalculation: they underestimated the unbreakable will of the American fighting man,” the war secretary stated.

 

He described the “daunting” task Americans and their European allies faced in piercing Adolf Hitler’s 2,400-mile coastal defense network of bunkers, minefields and artillery.

“An impossible mission — a suicidal mission — the mission of free men — freedom’s only hope,” he said of the D-Day plan.

“The United States military spearheaded a great crusade to shatter the Nazi war machine and liberate a continent,” he added.

 

During his address, Hegseth drew a direct parallel between the historic seaborne invasion and modern geopolitical threats faced by the West. He warned European nations that the continent faces an influx of dangerous ideologies arriving by sea.

“Sadly, today, different European beaches are stormed by different, dangerous ideologies. Beaches in Spain, Italy, Greece, and Bulgaria — boats and men arrive. When will ​European capitals do ‌something about that invasion or is it too late? I pray not, and I believe ‌not,” said Hegseth.

Hegseth urged the world leaders in attendance to look to their collaboration to execute the Normandy landings when facing current issues.

“As we face an increasingly complex threat environment, we apply the lessons from 82 years ago learned on these beaches: strong allies, each fully committed to doing their part, win wars,” he said. 

His comments align with a U.S. National Security Strategy document issued last year, which asserted that Europe faces potential “civilizational erasure” and must course-correct to remain a reliable U.S. ally.

The document, alongside recent statements from senior Trump administration officials, has upended long-held postwar assumptions about the transatlantic alliance.

The War Secretary’s remarks echo criticisms made by the Trump administration regarding Europe, which Washington argues is hampered by weak defenses, an inability to manage immigration, needless red tape and the censorship of nationalist voices.

Hegseth poked at the United States’ European allies during a speech given at the Shangri-La Dialogue last week, noting that they could “take note” of Asian allies’ pragmatic views on geopolitics.

“Each nation pulled its weight; each nation bled. America will lead — and we must — but capable allies must be right there with us, shoulder to shoulder, in the breach, when it matters,” Hegseth said of the Normandy operation.

His remarks about allied nations pulling their weight also mirrored criticisms levied in Shangri-La, when he called on Asian allies of the U.S. to invest into their own defense systems.

“We forgot that freedom is not free. We forgot that peace is not wished into being. It is bought with purpose, with honor and with strength. The men who landed on these beaches knew this; the question we ask ourselves is, do we?” Hegseth said Saturday.

Hegseth later visited the graves of Americans who stormed the beaches of Normandy.

The event in France was one agenda item on Hegseth’s birthday, as the secretary turned 46 on Saturday.