It’s been a tough week. Guaranteed to lift your soul; two strangers + piano + beautiful rendition of Ludovico Einaudi Una Mattina. You’re welcome!
https://t.co/Z9EvJd0Ipm
On this day in 1215, the Magna Carta was sealed by King John at Runnymede, Surrey. Establishing law as a power in itself, the Magna Carta inspired not only British liberty, but also America’s Founding Fathers when formulating the Declaration of Independence 250 years ago. Still relevant today, the Magna Carta reminds us of the importance of the freedoms and rights of the people – principles at the heart of the 🇺🇸 + 🇬🇧.
#Freedom250 #SharedHistoryUnitedFuture
Our Armed Forces cannot defend Britain on empty promises and delayed plans.
Keir Starmer’s Defence Ministers resigned as his plan falls short. Their warnings are extremely serious.
I’ve written to the PM offering the support of my MPs to vote to cut welfare to fund defence.
Every single person who still cringes at the memory of trying to bullshit their way through an interview or exam question: today, the slate is wiped clean. Set down your burden of shame. Nothing - nothing, I say - could touch this.
The United Kingdom has an extraordinarily proud military history. It commands our respect. There is again a great need for more British military strength in this critical time. We urge the UK to meet that need with urgency, scale, and determination. 1/
This is an outrageous, disgraceful smear on John Healey — and an outright lie. There are a ton of ways to finance more for defence — starting with net zero — without taking a penny from schools or hospitals. Reeves should be ashamed of herself for allowing this nonsense. Suggests she’s really desperate.
This Government has all the money in the world for Ed Milliband’s mad plans, foreign aid, and benefits for foreigners. But nothing for our armed forces.
Good on John Healey. Shame on them. Reeves and Starmer should go too. And with them this wretched Labour Government.
Within hours of being announced as the nominee to be the U.S. Director of the CIA, I received a hand-delivered message on MI6 stationery congratulating me on my nomination. It was signed simply "C" in green ink. Legendary. I shared it with my son and even he thought I was now cool!
More than that, this note, from Sir Alex Younger, Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service of the United Kingdom, confirmed what I already believed: the work that the CIA and MI6 did together mattered, that the partnership was critical, and that two leaders focused on the mission could save lives and provide tools for our nations to deter our adversaries.
Alex's passing this week brought back so many memories of our time in service together. He flew to Langley to see me the day I was confirmed. We brought our two senior teams together in the UK to plan and coordinate and build in the first several weeks of my time on duty: making clear to them all that this relationship was more than special - it was critical for the security of our two countries.
Alex was a remarkable intelligence partner. When we needed help, it wasn't "let me see;" it was "this matters to you and America we'll get it done." And he and his team always did. I think he knew we would do the same for him and his team and his nation. Many Americans are alive today because of his leadership of MI6, I never knew how to thank him enough.
Alex became a friend as well. In the years since we both left office we would see each other from time to time. He was always so kind, so thoughtful, so smart. His deep love of his country was surpassed only by his deep commitment and love of his family. Decent and proper - and funny as hell - Alex was "C." As espionage requires, he was quiet, not attention seeking. He knew what evil was and he was ruthless in his efforts to crush it with every legal tool at his command. And he knew who his friends were and committed himself to supporting them.
I miss Sir Alex Younger. He was a role model for me and a man with whom every minute I spent was valued and savored. Blessings to you Alex. Praying for you and for your family. Well done and may you rest in peace in His hands.
In a corner of parliament at the far end of the Royal gallery a box lies permantly open containing sand from all five Normandy beaches -a reminder to both houses of the sacrifice & the cause of freedom fought for by brave service people on DDay June 6 th 1944. #DDay
A few big picture things to consider as the first to fight get kitted up and prepare to jump into France in a few hours' time. This will help with my coverage today, tonight and tomorrow. You'll have to be up at 1.30 am on 6 June US time for first waves landing on the beaches. Here are the five phases to the operation. See below. The airborne drop, the first for most of the men, is already underway as C-47s and gliders are now being loaded. Almost every Allied commander is uncertain this will work.
82 years on from the Normandy landings, we reflect on the thousands of British, Commonwealth and Allied forces who lost their lives for the liberation of Western Europe.
We will remember them.
Today we remember the men and women involved in the great crusade and the largest amphibious operation in history.
Crew of @HMSDragon took time during operations in the Arabian Sea to pay a traditional flight deck tribute to all those involved in #DDay and Operation Neptune.
@DaveScarangella Thank you for sharing these personal stories about your father in law Hank, it helps ensure future generations never forget. What a fine man ❤️
This day in history 6 June 1944, #DDay, British soldiers landed in Normandy alongside Allied forces to begin the liberation of Europe 🪖
Today, we remember their courage, sacrifice, and service 🫡
Lest we forget.
82 years ago today, D-Day took place. At 0015 hrs, our antecedent regiment, the 2nd Ox and Bucks, carried out the first action of the invasion. In this 1986 recording, Major John Howard recounts the glider assault on Pegasus Bridge, Codenamed OPERATION DEADSTICK.