It was a night to remember

President Donald Trump’s timely message at Mount Rushmore National Memorial last Friday evening was just what Americans needed to hear after threats were made to the monument itself and historical statues across the country were defaced or destroyed in the past several weeks.

The president acknowledged the S.D. Army and Air National Guard, the Air Force Blue Angels flyover along with two B-1 bombers from Ellsworth Air Force Base, the “wonderful” veterans, law enforcement, first responders and the doctors, nurses and scientists “working tirelessly to kill the virus.” Trump acknowledged the state’s Congressional delegation including Sens. John Thune, Mike Rounds and Rep. Dusty Johnson. 

“There could be no better place to celebrate America’s independence than beneath this magnificent, incredible, majestic mountain and monument to the greatest Americans who have ever lived,” the president said.

“Today, we pay tribute to the exceptional lives and extraordinary legacies of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt. I am here as your President to proclaim before the country and before the world: This monument will never be desecrated  — these heroes will never be defaced, their legacy will never, ever be destroyed, their achievements will never be forgotten and Mount Rushmore will stand forever as an eternal tribute to our forefathers and to our freedom.”

This is a message that we in the Black Hills, and Americans all over the country, needed to hear from this law-and-order President. The country’s Shrine of Democracy needs to be protected and preserved so future generations can learn from the accomplishments of these great men. So do monuments and statues erected all over the country need similar protection from lawless vandals who seek to erase our nation’s history.

The President’s speech was well received by those in attendance who were winners of a lottery for seats at the historical event. The crowd showed its approval numerous times with applause and chants of “USA! USA! USA!” The state received national and international attention from the July 4th event, which no amount of money could buy.

It was a magnificent, inspiring speech touting the virtues of America and the individuals who helped make it great. It was a non-partisan message devoid of the usual political attacks on his opponents that are so prevalent at his well-attended rallies across the country. Some say it was his best speech ever of his nearly four-year-long presidency. “We must take care of America first. It is time!” the president said. The audience agreed.

The anti-Trump, pro-Democrat national media was predictable in their criticism and attacks of the speech. “Trump used Mount Rushmore speech to deliver divisive Culture War message,” said the biased New York Times. CNN described Mount Rushmore as a “monument of two slave owners on land wrestled away from Native Americans.” Funny the liberal network never described it that way when Presidents Obama and Clinton visited it.

The constant political attacks on Trump, no matter what he does, are getting so predictable they make these so-called news organizations completely irrelevant. They live in their own little worlds and are out of touch with the thinking of real American patriots who live far from the D.C. beltway.

Not to be outdone, our own Gov. Kristi Noem gave the best speech of her relatively short political career prior to introducing the President. Noem asked the audience, “How many of us have lived up to our own ideals? Let us not destroy history. Let us learn from it.” When introducing Interior Secretary David Bernhardt, the governor noted she had hunted elk near his hometown of Rifle, Colo.

It was an historical night long to be remembered at Mount Rushmore National Memorial. The President struck the right patriotic theme in emphasizing the greatness of America and the good it stands for at the July 3 event celebrating America’s 244th birthday. The Army and Air Force bands, along with the vocalists presenting patriotic songs, were superb. How could any American not be moved by the pageantry surrounding the entire event?

“We stand proud and we only kneel for Almighty God. We will never let them rip our heroes from their monuments or our hearts!” Trump said in his parting remarks to a cheering audience.

Well said, Mr. President! Well said! Thank you to you and First Lady Melania for heading up the Mount Rushmore  event and helping to bring back the fireworks. It was a most impressive, wonderful evening!