Prez salutes corona warriors
The “towering spirit” of America will carry the nation through its “war” with the coronavirus, President Trump said in a Memorial Day ceremony Monday at the site that served as the inspiration for “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
“In recent months, our nation and the world have been engaged in a new form of battle against an invisible enemy,” Trump said at Fort McHenry in Baltimore in a speech highlighting the military’s role in combating the contagion.
“Tens of thousands of service members and National Guardsmen are on the front lines of our war against this terrible virus, caring for patients, delivering critical supplies and working night and day to safeguard our citizens as one nation.”
With nearly 100,000 Americans dead from the virus, more than 1.6 million infected and the economy in tatters, Trump visited the historical site to pay tribute to those lost, as well as America’s resolve to persevere.
“This towering spirit permeates every inch of the hallowed soil beneath our feet,” said Trump, who was joined by First Lady Melania. “In this place more than 200 years ago, American patriots stood their ground and repelled a British invasion in the Battle of Baltimore during the War of 1812.”
Fort McHenry’s resistance inspired Francis Scott Key to write “The Star-Spangled Banner,” later to become the national anthem.
“We mourn alongside every single family that has lost loved ones, including the families of our great veterans,” Trump continued. “Together, we will vanquish the virus and America will rise from this crisis to new and even greater heights.
“As our brave warriors have shown us from the nation’s earliest days, in America we are the captains of our own fate.”
Some Baltimore officials objected to Trump’s visit, noting that local residents remain under a stay-at-home order during the holiday known for cookouts and enjoying the outdoors.
Trump is slowly resuming domestic travel after largely being confined to the White House since March.
This month, he twice visited Camp David in Maryland and toured a mask factory in Arizona, a protective gear distribution center in Pennsylvania and a ventilator production facility in Michigan.
This weekend, Trump returned to his Northern Virginia golf course for the first time since the crisis began, playing a round both days. And on Wednesday, he’s expected to attend a SpaceX manned-rocket launch in Florida.
The commander in chief ’s visit to Fort McHenry followed a solemn wreath-laying ceremony earlier in the day at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.
After crossing the Potomac via motorcade to the hallowed ground, the president saluted the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as the national anthem played.
At his left, Vice President Mike
Pence and Defense Secretary Mark Esper stood holding a hand over their hearts.
Cabinet members including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, looked on.
Trump then approached a red, white and blue-adorned wreath, paused in reflection and touched it before rejoining Pence and Esper, again saluting during a mournful playing of taps.