"Our Sons Will Triumph ..."

Captains and kings urged their men to battle and their people to pray for victory. President Roosevelt led the U.S. in a prayer he had written in the days & nights before the invasion:

"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 to their faith. . . . The enemy . . . may hurl back our forces. But we shall return again and again; and we know that by Thy grace . . . our sons will triumph.

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

"With Thy blessing, we shall prevail.... Lead us to the saving of our country, and with our sister nations into a world unity that will spell a sure peace. . . ."

As the Allied troops headed for the French shore, their commanders read them the Order of the Day from General Dwight Eisenhower:

"You are about to embark upon a great crusade. . . . We will accept nothing less than full victory."

King George VI, broadcasting to the people of his empire and commonwealth, spoke a measured, modest plea: "I desire solemnly to call my people to prayer and dedication. We are not unmindful of our own shortcomings. We shall ask not that God may do our will but that we may do the will of God, and we dare to believe that God has used our nation and empire as an instrument for fulfilling His highest purpose."

Winston Churchill, appearing before a cheering House of Commons, tantalizingly devoted 650 words to the fall of Rome. Then he added jubilantly: "I have also to announce to the House that during the night and early hours of the morning the first of a series of landings in force upon the European continent has taken place. So far, the commanders . . . report that everything is proceeding according to plan. And what a plan!" Several hours later, he was an even happier warrior: "There is very much less loss than we expected. . . . Many dangers . . . are behind us. This operation is proceeding in a thoroughly satisfactory manner."

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