D-Day Speech Analysis

Ronald Reagan, the 40th president of the United States of America (Bio Reference Bank), delivered his “On the 40th Anniversary of D-Day speech” on June 6th 1984 (Academic Search Premier). This day was the 40th anniversary of D-day, when 150,000 men charged the beaches of Normandy to retake Europe from the Nazis (American History Online). The speech was also delivered during the Cold war, an arms race between the USA and USSR (American History Online). President Reagan uses logos, pathos, and anaphora to explain to the heads of state, and the world, the need of peace with the USSR while being ready for an attack. President Reagan uses logos, facts about D-Day, as a build up to the pathos of his argument. Reagan provides vivid description to
Certain parts of the previous logos can also be established as pathos. For example, the story of Bill Milin is inspiring and tells us about the valor of men at war. This story has a more universal meaning, which is to fight our problems and difficulties head on, like Milin charging into gunfire. Reagan then describes the Rangers’ mission as “one of the most difficult and daring of the invasion: to climb these sheer and desolate cliffs to take out enemy guns” (2). He then continues saying, “two hundred and twenty-five came here. After 2 days of fighting, only 90 could still bear arms” (3). President Reagan reminds us that the mission was not easy with words like “difficult” and “daring”. Reagan specifically includes the casualties to remind us people were injured or killed, and of the brutality of war. Reagan also reminds us that these were not just numbers, but people. This is expressed by Reagan saying “Only 90 could still bear arms” (3). The reader can recognize that the other 135 were not mentioned, because of death or injury. The picture of men storming up cliffs to their death reminds us of the horrors of war. Regan says the soldiers were helped by “their rockhard belief that providence would have a great hand in the events that would unfold here.” (15). He also mentions their general said, “look up so you can see God and ask His blessing.” (15). The general knew that the fighting would be so brutal, he asks his men to look directly at God for a blessing, rather than bow their heads. Reagan gives us the story of D-day first, and proceeds to give us the backstory of the soldiers making peace with God later. Reagan is showing us how the soldiers fought in brutal conditions, and prepared themselves in the beginning. The preparation is not physical in nature, but spiritual. Reagan is teaching us that war is not just