President Trump arrived at the “Salute To America” celebration event commemorating the nation’s Fourth of July Independence Day to great fanfare and huge applause despite a slight programming delay due to heavy rainfall.

https://youtu.be/tAJZVL3qnDs

Reading from a speech whose excerpts had been revealed earlier in the day by the White House, the nearly 50-minute long speech was more inspirational but patriotic, resounding and very relevant to the occasion being celebrated.

President Trump and First Lady Melania arriving after slight delay due to heavy rainfall at the Lincoln Memorial on Thursday, July 4, 2019. Credit: Reuters
President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump walk to the stage at the Lincoln Memorial under the rain as crowds shouted, “USA! USA!” on July 4, 2019. Credit: AFP/Getty Images

After criticism from almost every corner of political and media cycles that he was politicizing the annual national event with fears that his address would resemble that of his rallies, President Trump may have shocked and disappointed some skeptics.  He remained  disciplined in his messaging as he delivered a strong and very  patriotic, pro-American speech that spoke highly of the country’s history and celebrated its innovative nature.

Not only did the speech focus the strength of this nation, it also highlighted the greatness of America from its pre-independence past to the present.

President Trump delivered his Fourth of July speech under rainfall at the Lincoln Memorial on Thursday evening, July 4, 2019. Credit: AFP/Getty Images
Not even the rain could stop President Trump from attending and delivering a Fourth of July Speech during the “Salute To America” celebration event on July 4, 2019. Credit: AP

The Fourth of July National Independence Day celebration was attended by thousands of people from all corners of the country who braved heavy rains throughout the afternoon to wait for additional more hours to see the star of the “Salute To America” event, President Trump.  When finally made it, he surely did not disappoint.

The “Salute To America” celebration event was attended by thousands from all across the country shown by this image of the National Mall on Thursday, July 4, 2019. Credit: Reuters
The “Salute To America” was attended by thousands who braved the rain to see and hear President Trump deliver his Fourth of July Speech on Thursday, July 4, 2019. Credit: Reuters
The early birds! People started coming early in the morning defying the heavy rainfall to wait at the National Mall on Thursday, July 4, 2019. Credit: EPA

Opening his statement, Trump greeted the enthusiastic crowd.

“Hello America, Hello!” after a reverberating “USA! USA! USA!” welcoming him and the First Lady.

“The First Lady and I wish each and everyone of you a Happy Independence Day on this truly historic Fourth of July” to loud cheers and applauses.

First Lady Melania Trump sits with Vice President Mike Pence and Mrs Karen Pence who is next to Tiffany Trump (red) during the speech, July 4, 2019. Credit: AFP/Getty Images
President Trump’s speech was also showcased on giant screens to thousands at the National Mall on Thursday, July 4, 2019. Credit: Reuters

Aware that almost every eye in the nation and across the world was certainly upon him, not least forgetting that he was also breaking precedent by being the first U.S. President in 70 years to deliver an Independence Day speech and at the Washington Mall, President Trump did not disappoint.

“Today we come together as one nation with this very special Salute to America,” he said to loud cheers and applause.

Thousands defied the rain to fill the National Mall to listen to President Trump’s Independence Day speech on Thursday, July 4, 2019. Credit: AP
People braved the rain and started coming early for the “Salute To America” celebration at the National Mall on Thursday, July 4, 2019. Credit: AFP/Getty Images
Even the rain could not dampen the spirit of these “Salute To America” revellers at the National Mall on Thursday, July 4, 2019. Credit: Reuters

“Our nation is stronger today than it ever was before,” indicating that its future rested “on the shoulders of men and women willing to defend it.”

President Trump also took time to give a shout out to different sections of the U.S. Defense Forces namely the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Marines and the “very soon” to be “Space Force” which has been his focus of establishing ever since he came into office.

The early birds who were not deterred by rain hold the fort at National Mall on Thursday, July 4, 2019. Credit: AFP/Getty Images
People watch the National Independence Day parade under umbrellas on Thursday, July 4, 2019. Credit: Getty Images
Members of the U.S. Marine Silent Drill perform in the rain during the National Independence Day Parade on Thursday, July 4, 2019 in Washington DC. Credit: AP

In a busy day that started with parades and was not dampened by the heavy rainfall, the excitement was palpable as Trump delivered his nearly 50-minute patriotic speech with no interruptions.

The only brief intermissions in the speech were to allow military jets flyovers which were scripted within the speech itself.

It was then that the B-2 stealth bomber,  Blue Angels and Coast Guard choppers did spectacular flyovers during each interval introducing its group while Air Force One flew overhead earlier as President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump made their way to the makeshift stage.

Air Force One during a flyover above the Lincoln Memorial as President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrived for the “Salute To America” celebration event on Thursday evening, July 4, 2019. Credit: Reuters
Air Force One flies above the National Mall during a flyover on Thursday evening, July 4, 2019. Credit: Reuters

It was interesting to watch the flyovers while the  U.S. military band played the marching songs for the Navy, the Air Force the and U.S. Army, each representing each category as it flew over.

“As long as we stay true to our cause, as long as we remember our great history and as long as we never stop fighting for a better future, then there will be nothing that America cannot do,” he reminded the audience.

U.S. Coast Guard’s two helicopter, an HH-60 Pave Hawk and an HH-65 Dolphin plus an AC-144 Ocean Sentry during a flyover at “Salute To America” event in DC on July 4, 2019. Credit: Fox

President Trump citied a list of accomplishments by the U.S. military going back to the nation’s history, from pre-independence to its role in 20th century wars to recent.  

In a speech that stayed clear of politics, he touted the military’s strength and praised each branch while reciting various accomplishments.  He offered a brief history, cited the achievements by the U.S. armed forces, the innovation, successes in space and the role within the civil rights movement.

U.S.Air Force’s two F-22 Raptor fighters and a B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber during a flyover at the “Salute To America” celebration in DC on July 4, 2019. Credit: AFP/Getty Images
U.S.Air Force’s two F-22 Raptor fighters and a B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber during a flyover at the “Salute To America” celebration in DC on July 4, 2019. Credit: Reuters

He went on to highlight the country’s accomplishments through the years, including the invention of the light bulb by Thomas Edison, landing on the moon and successes in the arts and automobile industries. Trump also celebrated both the civil rights and the suffrage movements, urging young people to “join our military and make a great statement in life.”

He then reminded the crowds of the true “American spirit” how it “built this country into the most exceptional nation in history,” while emphasizing its strength.

 “That same American spirit that emboldened our founders has kept us strong throughout our history.  To this date that spirit runs through the veins of every American patriot. It lives on in each and every one of you.”

U.S. Army Attack Helicopters fly over the Lincoln Memorial during a flyover In Washington DC at the “Salute To America” event on July 4, 2019. Credit: Reuters
People watch and take photos of two U.S. Army Attack Helicopters on a giant screen during a “Salute To America” celebration event in Washington DC on July 4, 2019. Credit: Reuters

“We celebrate our history, our people, and the heroes who proudly defend our flag – the brave men and women of the United States military,” he told an enthusiastic crowd most of whom were adorned in patriotic colours of red, white and blue.

U.S. Marine’s two Ospreys and a Marine helicopter during a flyover at the “Salute To America” celebration event in Washington DC on July 4, 2019. Credit: AFP/Getty Images
U.S. Marine’s two Ospreys and a Marine helicopter flyover the Lincoln Memorial at the “Salute To America” celebration event in Washington DC on July 4, 2019. Credit: Reuters

During the speech, President Trump also vowed to “plant the American flag on Mars.”

After paying tribute to NASA’s great achievements, Trump told the crowd that he wanted the U.S. to be “back on the moon very soon,” where he hoped that they “someday…plant the American flag on Mars.”

The U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels during a flyover at the “Salute To America” celebration event in Washington DC on July 4, 2019. Credit: EPA
U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels flyover Lincoln Memorial at the “Salute To America” event on July 4, 2019. Credit: AP

Despite the weather which did not dampen the spirit, thousands who attended the “Salute To America” celebration included Trump and non-Trump supporters from all over the country as well as tourists.

President Trump salutes before a flyover by military jets during a “Salute To America” celebration event in Washington DC on Thursday, July 4, 2019. Credit: Reuters

“As long as we stay true to our purpose … as long as we never ever stop fighting for a better future, there will be nothing that America cannot do. 

“The future belongs to the brave, the strong, the proud and the free. We all share the same heroes, the same home, the same heart, and we are all made by the same Almighty God,” a statement which tugged at the heartstrings of Christians and religious Americans who are the core voting base.

‘Today just as it did 243 years ago, the future of American Freedom rests on the shoulders of the men and women willing to defend it,’ he added.

Crowds at the National Mall jostle to take images of the military jets during flyovers at the “Salute To America” event in Washington DC on Thursday, July 4, 2019.
Early Birds. A couple tries to stay dry under an umbrella at the National Mall during the “Salute to America” event In Washington DC on July 4, 2019. Credit: AFP/Getty Images
Rather than go home, people braved the rain at the National Mall for the “Salute To America” event in Washington DC on July 4, 2019. Credit: AP

Known for his staunch support for the military and Law Enforcement agencies, he asked the audience to remember Law Enforcement officials and also thanked Gold Star families for their sacrifices.

“Our nation has always honored the heroes who serve our communities. The Firefighters, First Responders, Police, Sheriffs, ICE, Border Patrol and all of the brave men and women of Law Enforcement. 

“On this July 4th, we pay special tribute to the military service members who laid down their lives for our nation,” he added. 

Those without umbrellas made do with hats to brave the rain at the “Salute To America” event at the National Mall in DC on July 4, 2019. Credit: AFP/Getty Images
Early birds wait in the rain at the National Mall to catch better view during the “Salute To America” in in Washington DC on July 4, 2019. Credit: AFP/Getty Images
A Bradley tank is one of two military tanks that flanked the podium where President Trump delivered his Fourth of July speech in Washington DC on July 4, 2019. Credit: AFP/Getty

President Trump then encouraged young people to join military service.

“To young Americans across our country, now is your chance to join our military and make a truly great statement in life,” said the Trump. 

“Our nation is its strongest today than it ever was before – it is its strongest now,’ he said to great applause, and loud chants of “USA! USA! USA!”

The speech which marked the 243rdanniversary of the Fourth of July, the Founding Fathers’ Declaration of Independence, ended with the military band playing the rendition of “Battle Hymn of The Republic.” 

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