"Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force!" 

So began Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower's 1944 "Order of the Day" memorandum, delivered on June 5, 1944, the night before the momentous D-Day landings in Normandy, France, during World War II.

Copies of the letter — meticulously drafted by Eisenhower himself, beginning in February of that year, according to the National Archives — were given to members of the Allied forces. 

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To this day, it remains one of the most significant documents in military history.

Here is the rest of his message — strong words worth recalling 80 years later.

"You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you," said Eisenhower. 

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"In company with our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms on other Fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world."

Eisenhower went on, "Your task will not be an easy one," he went on. "Your enemy is well-trained, well-equipped and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely.

"But this is the year 1944! Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41."

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"The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle, man-to-man," he wrote.

"Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. 

"Our Home Fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men. 

"The tide has turned! The free men of the world are marching together to victory!"

And Eisenhower went on, "I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory!"

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He added, "Good luck! And let us beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking."

The memo was signed simply, "Dwight D. Eisenhower."

Follow Jack Carr on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/jackcarrusa.

Operation Neptune, the naval component of Operation Overlord, was the largest invasion ever assembled. 

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Some 156,000 Allied troops stormed Normandy, France, by sea and air to liberate Western Europe from Nazi Germany. 

The successful invasion of northern France on D-Day, June 6, 1944, became one of the major events in U.S. naval history. 

Some 11 weeks later, Allied troops advancing from Normandy and Brittany liberated Paris — almost two months ahead of schedule, as Naval History and Heritage Command noted.

Germany unconditionally surrendered during World War II on May 7, 1945. 

Eighty years ago, 73,000 courageous American soldiers stormed the shores of Normandy, charging forward through long odds and heavy fire to unshackle a continent from the grip of tyranny. In this singular moment, the United States demonstrated to allies and adversaries alike our willingness to lead the charge to defend democracy, a sacred commitment that our nation has embraced over the decades since that historic event.

On the 40th anniversary of the D-Day invasion, President Ronald Reagan spoke to this spirit from atop the rugged cliffs of Pointe du Hoc — where American Rangers once scaled treacherous heights to destroy an enemy artillery position. He lionized the heroes of the Greatest Generation for putting their lives on the line for democracy, which he called "the most deeply honorable form of government ever devised by man." He recalled the bitter lessons of two world wars, that it was "better to be here ready to protect the peace than … rushing to respond only after freedom is lost." And he evoked the promise God made to Joshua, pledging to our allies: "I will not fail thee nor forsake thee."

Four decades later, the world still faces stern threats to democracy — and still demands dependable American leadership to light the way. In President Joe Biden, we are fortunate to have a leader who carries forward the grand tradition of Roosevelt and Reagan and recognizes that preserving the promise of democracy is the defining challenge of our time.

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After four years of American retreat from its leadership responsibilities around the globe, President Biden took office promising to stand strong for freedom and democracy, stand by our allies and partners, and stand up to autocrats and tyrants throughout the world.

Over the last three years, that’s precisely what he has done. Reviving Reagan’s vision of the transatlantic alliance as "our shield for freedom, for prosperity, and for peace," President Biden strengthened and expanded NATO to include North Macedonia, Finland, and Sweden. At the same time, he revitalized the Indo-Pacific partnership and repaired frayed bonds with America’s friends all over the world. 

When Vladimir Putin launched his full-scale invasion of Ukraine — seeking to topple a neighboring democracy and splinter our NATO alliance — President Biden’s leadership was put to the test. His clear and forceful response would make Roosevelt and Reagan proud: rallying an international coalition to stand up to Russia, heeding the lessons of history that a tyrant’s victory anywhere threatens the security of free people everywhere.

It is difficult to believe that the apparent Republican candidate for the presidency rejects the Reagan legacy of the United States world leadership.

During his four years in office, President Trump rejected and neglected our allies, bent a knee to dictators, and left America isolated and alone. Just recently, he declared that he would encourage Russia to "do whatever the hell they want" to our transatlantic allies — and even suggested he’d withdraw NATO support for Ukraine, forcing President Zelenskyy to surrender to Putin.

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Here at home, we all watched in horror as Trump became the first president to try to reverse the results of a free and fair election by instigating a violent attack on the Capitol. This time around, he’s explicitly running a campaign of revenge and retribution, pledging a "bloodbath" if he loses. And he’s made it his mission to pursue power at all costs — unrestrained by our laws or Constitution. 

Our brave and courageous service members stormed the beaches of Normandy, to protect our Constitution, our freedoms, and our country. The last thing we should do in their memory is to betray the enduring values of freedom, peace, and security that so many Americans have given their last full measure of devotion to defend.   

Trump’s words and actions are a betrayal of the brave servicemembers who stormed the beaches of Normandy — and a betrayal of the enduring values of freedom, peace, and security that so many Americans have given their last full measure of devotion to defend.

Eighty years since the D-Day landings — as we remember the courage and sacrifice that liberty demands — America again finds itself at a crossroads, with democracy on the line. 

On Thursday, when President Biden takes to the windswept cliffs of Pointe du Hoc, it will provide a fitting symmetry to Reagan’s pilgrimage 40 years ago: showing the world America’s renewed commitment to defending democracy. It’s a cause that American heroes have bled and died for, that presidents from both parties have championed, that Joe Biden believes is etched into the very soul of our nation.

Republican Chuck Hagel is a former secretary of the Defense Department and former U.S. senator from Nebraska.