Trump’s fiery new speech stuns crowd: 'U.S could destroy Iran in seconds' | Promises new Victory Day

Key Concepts

• Veterans Day
• Sacrifice and Service
• American Exceptionalism
• Military Strength and Victory
• Veterans Affairs (VA) Reform
• National Security
• "America First" Policy

Honoring American Heroes on Veterans Day

This transcript is a speech delivered on Veterans Day, emphasizing the profound debt owed to American veterans for their courage, sacrifice, and service in defending the nation's freedom and prosperity. The speaker highlights that all achievements in American industry, science, and culture are possible because veterans have "taken care of those people" and "taken care of all the stars."

The Sacred Duty of Honoring Veterans

The core message revolves around the "sacred duty of every free man and woman" to honor those who have "worn the uniform" and "borne the battle." The speech asserts that veterans have formed a "mighty wall of flesh and blood, bravery and devotion" that has defended American freedom for 250 years. The phrase "Thank you for your service" is presented as a sentiment too often left unsaid, and the speaker expresses deep love and gratitude for veterans, acknowledging they carry "America's fate on your strong, very broad, and proud shoulders."

Recognition of Distinguished Guests and Accomplishments

The speech acknowledges several individuals and their contributions:

• General Dan Kaine: Praised for his role in "wiping out the nuclear capability of Iran in about a matter of seconds," with a mention of a 37-hour travel time for the operation.
• Speaker Mike Johnson: Congratulated for a "very big victory" and the effort to "open up our country."
• Secretary Doug Collins: Commended for his outstanding job with veterans, achieving a "92% approval rating" which was increased from "38% from a certain previous administration."
• Secretary Pete Hexath (Secretary of War): Thanked for his great job.
• Attorney General Pam Abandi: Thanked for her service.
• Secretary Doug Bergam: Acknowledged as the "number one energy person anywhere in the world," who took the job "without hesitation."
• Secretary Chris Wright: Identified as the "number one anywhere in the world" in his field, associated with the slogan "Drill, baby, drill," and credited with bringing energy prices down.
• Secretary Linda McMahon: Recognized for moving education "back to the states."
• Secretary Lori Chavez Darmer: Thanked for her service.
• Director Russ Vote: Praised for "cutting, cutting, cutting, but fairly cutting."
• Director Tulsi Gabard: Thanked for her service.
• Ambassador Jameson Greer: Acknowledged for his job, particularly in taking in "trillions of dollars in tariffs" which is deemed "good for our country, I can tell you."

The Foundation of American Greatness: Veterans' Sacrifice

The speech argues that the "pages of American history are filled with the tales of titans, icons, innovators, and trailblazers" who built America into the "greatest, most ambitious, and most prosperous nation the world has ever seen." However, it reiterates that these individuals "only had the chance to soar because the veterans had the courage to serve." The speaker emphasizes that "everything we have, everything our country has achieved has been purchased by the muscle, spine, and steel of the United States military."

Historical Examples of Valor and Sacrifice

The speech provides poignant historical examples to illustrate the depth of veterans' commitment:

• Major Sullivan Belaloo: Quoted as writing to his wife, "I know how great a debt we owe to those who went before us. And I'm willing, perfectly willing, darling, to lay down all my joys of this life to help maintain this government and to pay that debt." He made the ultimate sacrifice a week later.
• Colonel Bull Wolverton: Described as praying before D-Day, "We ask only this, that we if we die, we must die and we as men would die without complaining, without pleading and safe in the feeling that we have done our best for what we believed was right. We must do what is right." He also died bravely in battle.

The speech honors "more than 1 million American service members who have made the supreme sacrifice" and emphasizes that "America stands tall because America's veterans stood so strong."

Modern-Day Heroes and Their Extraordinary Actions

The speech highlights contemporary examples of exceptional bravery:

• Army Captain William Swenson: Awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions in Afghanistan in September 2009. Despite being pinned down by over 60 Taliban insurgents, he crossed open fields to aid a wounded soldier, threw a grenade at the enemy, rallied his men, and carried wounded soldiers to a rescue helicopter, returning to the fire three times to save others. He refused to leave any man behind after 7 hours of fighting.
• Air Force Captain Dale Stoville (later Brigadier General): Received the Air Force Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross, and two Silver Stars for a daring rescue mission in Vietnam. He flew into hostile territory to rescue a downed airman who had been stranded for 23 days, despite intense enemy fire. This was the "deepest rescue behind enemy lines in the entire Vietnam War." He retired after 31 years of service.
• Army Major Jonathan Turnbull: A West Point graduate who survived a suicide bombing in Syria in 2019. Despite being "gravely wounded" and given "no chance" by doctors, he was resuscitated three times and underwent 22 surgeries. He refused to give up, driven by his love for his country and family. He is now alive and "back on his feet."

Proclamation of "Victory Day" and Renaming of the Department of Defense

A significant announcement is the proclamation of "Victory Day" for World War I and World War II. The speaker notes that other countries celebrate such days, and "we're the one that won the wars." This is framed as restoring the "pride and the winning spirit of the United States military."

Furthermore, the Department of Defense has been officially renamed back to its "original name, Department of War." This is a deliberate move away from political correctness, with the assertion that "when we fight a war, we only fight for one reason, to win."

Veterans Affairs (VA) Reform and Improvements

The speech details significant efforts to improve the VA system under the Trump administration:

• Backlog Reduction: The backlog of VA benefit claims has been cut in half in nine months, with a goal to reach "zero." Over 3 million backlog claims have been processed, the most in any year in VA history.
• Increased Service Hours and Facilities: Over 1 million extra service hours have been added, and 20 new facilities have been opened in 13 states.
• VA Choice and Accountability: The VA Choice program has been brought back, allowing veterans to seek private doctors if wait times are excessive, with the government covering the cost.
• Personnel Changes: Over 9,000 individuals deemed "sadists," "sick people," "thieves," or who did not take care of veterans have been fired. The speaker criticizes the Biden administration for rehiring many of them.
• Veterans Homelessness: The National Center for Warrior Independence has been established to house up to 6,000 veterans in need, with a commitment to ending veteran homelessness. A stark contrast is drawn between hotels housing illegal immigrants and veterans sitting on sidewalks.
• VA Home Loan Program Reform: The VA Home Loan Program Reform Act has been signed to prevent veterans from being kicked out of their homes for late payments.
• Unemployment Rate Reduction: The veterans' unemployment rate has fallen by more than 26% since January.

The "America First" Ethos

The speech concludes by reinforcing the "America First" principle, stating that veterans "did one thing above all else. They put America first." This is linked to their actions in defending the nation, dispensing justice, crushing enemies, and vanquishing evil. The speech ends with a message of renewed American strength, prosperity, and a "magnificent destiny."