WEBVTT

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Welcome to World War Two chronicles a
weekly tribute to Americas fighting men and women

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in commemoration of the Second World War. These programs are narrated by Ed Hrlihy

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and are based on the news broadcasts
of the war period from the recorded sound

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collection of the National Archives in Washington, d C. He freed millions,

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and they gave thanks to the General
of the Army Dwight Eisenhower. First in

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London, where tens of thousands watched
as Ike is given the freedom of the

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city at that time, an honor
granted only to five Americans. Whether or

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not you know it, I am
now a londonman myself. I've got just

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as much right to be down in
that crowd yelling as you have. The

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great difference that I see in the
city and when I came three years ago

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is right here. We can now
have crowds, There can be happy gatherings.

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You don't have to listen for a
motor in the sky and wonder whether

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it's a pilot in the blankety blank
thing or not. The Allied Army's Supreme

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Commander moved on to France, where
he was decorated with the Medal of Liberation

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by General Charles de gaul and finally
back to Washington, whereover a million people

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forgot the heat and humidity to welcome
the chief. Welcoming him to Washington is

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Mamie, the wife who waited so
patiently for her conquering hero. It's a

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great day for the Eisenhower's of Abilene, Kansas, and the nation's capital puts

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on the biggest demonstration in its history. As a million cheering home folks lie

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in the historic parade route, the
district commissioners present Ike with the keys to

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the city, while a procession pauses
briefly on the way to the Capitol and

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then moves on down Pennsylvania Avenue past
the wildly cheering throngs. Members of Congress

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and other dignitaries packing the House Chamber
heard this in our minds and hearts.

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There is no slightest doubt that our
people's spirit of determination, which has buoyed

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us up and driven us forward in
Europe, will continue to fire this nation

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through the ordeals of battle yet to
come. Though we dream of return to

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our loved ones, we are ready, as we have always been, to

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do our duty to our country,
no matter what it may be. All

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of this however, was only a
prelude to New York City, where four

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million people Grantedike the greatest welcome our
hero had ever seen. I'm in Hurley,

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Join me next time for World War
Two Chronicles. World War Two Chronicles

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was produced by the American Veterans Center
and Radio America in cooperation with the National

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Archives. To listen to more episodes, subscribe on iTunes, or visit American

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Veterans Center dot org. We need
your help to keep the legacy of our

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World War Two generation alive. Visit
American Veterans Center dot org to make a

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donation to support World War Two Chronicles
and the ongoing work of the American Veterans Center.