I read this letter for the first time in the museum behind Utah Beach. Sometimes it helps to see the present by looking back. Americans should have extraordinary gratitude for the achievements and sacrifices of the generations that gave us the chance to live in peace, prosperity and freedom. It should be accompanied by a deep humility and commitment to better the inheritance of freedom for all people and for all time. It should instill a sense of obligation and responsibility.
This is so powerful, it made me become a paid subscriber. I grew up with so many courageous people who had risked their lives to fight the Nazis. Now I know so many friends who continue to risk their lives to stand up to oppression. I gaze in wonder at the many people I know who pursue “the good life” and flitter here and there on perpetual vacations, oblivious to the suffering of the earth, the animals, and struggling people without hope. The French aristocrat, writer, and military aviator Antoine de Saint-Exupéry reaches beyond time and cultures to remind us of our higher selves and common bonds. Will we listen in time?
We cannot let these brave men and women who fought and died for freedom down. I am a member of that Greatest Generation and we are again in the fight of our lives - for our freedom. May God help us prevail.
Thank you very much for displaying the letter of the French pilot to his American comrades in arms. His sentiments are just as relevant today as they were 80 years ago. Wars are fought by ordinary people with extraordinary wisdom to see through the devastation and bond in a common cause against tyranny. He was able to see through the political propaganda of the day and realized the young Americans anguish.
America is under attack once again but not from a foreign foe but from within. The Donald has disparaged our Institutions for personal power and gain. He is a coward with a sharp tongue and an arsenal of lies. He has no love of country, no honor and he is not above the law.
Democracy deserves our best not our worst. Please vote this coming November and remove all his disloyal minions from office. Please re-elect Liz Cheney and let her continue with her honorable service to this great country of ours.
Reading this has me very thoughtful about Unity. Are we only unified when we are under attack or fighting against oppressive regimes?
I felt tremendous unity, saw it’s effects during 911, most clearly. On our own soil, losing our Citizens to Terrorists from abroad.
Yes! We had a obligation, responsibility to retaliate immediately!
I feel the just comrades, flying to places unknown to fight for freedom. Unified under one goal, responding to injustices inflicted upon the masses in acts of War and Tyranny.
We are being tested. My freedom as a Woman has been stripped from me. On my own ground, in a Country I thought I was free in. I expect my comrades to respond to these injustices inflicted upon my fellow Countrywomen.
Our Constitution, blatantly defiled, by Men and Women of no substance. Inflicting injustices upon those who are against our freedoms. A dark cloud has been slowly descending, with retaliation of hate to the doors of our Capital.
Come comrades, let’s fight for freedom. With our Vote and truth that all are equal. Together we can move the World again.
Saint-Ex is great. His aviation writing - "flight to Arras" and "Wind, Sand and Stars" are still worth picking up.
For those who don't know, he flew about 50 missions as a recon pilot and was lost off the south of France in 1944. His airplane and remains were found several years ago.
This letter is truly a work of art, and the heart.
I'm 72 years old, the daughter and goddaughter of two men who fought in that war. I wanted to hear all about the war, but neither man would tell me anything. What they did tell me was the importance of fighting for what is right. I know President Biden is right when he supports Ukraine.
That was deeply moving Steve, as an educated man I continue to be amazed, by the nuggets you reveal from our history. Thank you for that. As the son and nephew of 3 men, that each fought for the duration of WWII, I stand in awe of their heroic sacrifice, and I am a combat veteran myself. Antoine’s letter has a jewel like clarity of purpose, and he was not alone, he wrote for the thousands that shared his steely resolve, we have been blessed to have had them among us. Who today will be seen to have shared his commitment to the cause of freedom? It’s my prayer that forums like this one will be held up by future generations as shining examples of nobility, in the face of democracy’s greatest foes, I believe that is why all of us are here, and I am grateful for it. 🙏
Steve Schmidt, thank you for this. “Antoine de Saint-Exupéry was killed in combat against Nazi Germany. His letter survives.” The letter Antoine de Saint-Exupéry wrote is a masterpiece.
We have lost our sense of solidarity in all the rhetoric and self serving individualism. The Russian war on Ukrainian gives glimmers of our collective humanity that we can stand together for the greater good. What will it take to lead us back here in the US? Thank you.
It is the same fight, always the same fight. It's the 40,000 ft view of the ground below, knowing there needs to be the fight against darkness. Same fight we are in now, but in our case we're facing the fight at eye level, not above. Perhaps we need to join the P-38 crews (modern fighters fly too high to see the ground), go above our current fight against the darkness, and again see what we are fighting for. We need to explain, much as Saint-Exupéry did to the US pilot, what we are fighting for, and how their participation, and ours, matter in the fight.
Thanks for sharing this letter with us Steve. Very moving. One worth framing so you can read it as you pass by once in a while just to remind you of what our fathers and grandfathers did for the world. My dad was 22 in 1941. 22. Imagine that.
This is so powerful, it made me become a paid subscriber. I grew up with so many courageous people who had risked their lives to fight the Nazis. Now I know so many friends who continue to risk their lives to stand up to oppression. I gaze in wonder at the many people I know who pursue “the good life” and flitter here and there on perpetual vacations, oblivious to the suffering of the earth, the animals, and struggling people without hope. The French aristocrat, writer, and military aviator Antoine de Saint-Exupéry reaches beyond time and cultures to remind us of our higher selves and common bonds. Will we listen in time?
We cannot let these brave men and women who fought and died for freedom down. I am a member of that Greatest Generation and we are again in the fight of our lives - for our freedom. May God help us prevail.
Thank you very much for displaying the letter of the French pilot to his American comrades in arms. His sentiments are just as relevant today as they were 80 years ago. Wars are fought by ordinary people with extraordinary wisdom to see through the devastation and bond in a common cause against tyranny. He was able to see through the political propaganda of the day and realized the young Americans anguish.
America is under attack once again but not from a foreign foe but from within. The Donald has disparaged our Institutions for personal power and gain. He is a coward with a sharp tongue and an arsenal of lies. He has no love of country, no honor and he is not above the law.
Democracy deserves our best not our worst. Please vote this coming November and remove all his disloyal minions from office. Please re-elect Liz Cheney and let her continue with her honorable service to this great country of ours.
The search for truth is a painful and sorrowful journey for all humanity. Perhaps faith in the solidarity of humanity is the antidote to what ails us.
Reading this has me very thoughtful about Unity. Are we only unified when we are under attack or fighting against oppressive regimes?
I felt tremendous unity, saw it’s effects during 911, most clearly. On our own soil, losing our Citizens to Terrorists from abroad.
Yes! We had a obligation, responsibility to retaliate immediately!
I feel the just comrades, flying to places unknown to fight for freedom. Unified under one goal, responding to injustices inflicted upon the masses in acts of War and Tyranny.
We are being tested. My freedom as a Woman has been stripped from me. On my own ground, in a Country I thought I was free in. I expect my comrades to respond to these injustices inflicted upon my fellow Countrywomen.
Our Constitution, blatantly defiled, by Men and Women of no substance. Inflicting injustices upon those who are against our freedoms. A dark cloud has been slowly descending, with retaliation of hate to the doors of our Capital.
Come comrades, let’s fight for freedom. With our Vote and truth that all are equal. Together we can move the World again.
Saint-Ex is great. His aviation writing - "flight to Arras" and "Wind, Sand and Stars" are still worth picking up.
For those who don't know, he flew about 50 missions as a recon pilot and was lost off the south of France in 1944. His airplane and remains were found several years ago.
This letter is truly a work of art, and the heart.
Thank you for this letter.
I'm 72 years old, the daughter and goddaughter of two men who fought in that war. I wanted to hear all about the war, but neither man would tell me anything. What they did tell me was the importance of fighting for what is right. I know President Biden is right when he supports Ukraine.
That was deeply moving Steve, as an educated man I continue to be amazed, by the nuggets you reveal from our history. Thank you for that. As the son and nephew of 3 men, that each fought for the duration of WWII, I stand in awe of their heroic sacrifice, and I am a combat veteran myself. Antoine’s letter has a jewel like clarity of purpose, and he was not alone, he wrote for the thousands that shared his steely resolve, we have been blessed to have had them among us. Who today will be seen to have shared his commitment to the cause of freedom? It’s my prayer that forums like this one will be held up by future generations as shining examples of nobility, in the face of democracy’s greatest foes, I believe that is why all of us are here, and I am grateful for it. 🙏
Steve Schmidt, thank you for this. “Antoine de Saint-Exupéry was killed in combat against Nazi Germany. His letter survives.” The letter Antoine de Saint-Exupéry wrote is a masterpiece.
You, Steve Schmidt, are doing good work.
Sandy Lewis
We have lost our sense of solidarity in all the rhetoric and self serving individualism. The Russian war on Ukrainian gives glimmers of our collective humanity that we can stand together for the greater good. What will it take to lead us back here in the US? Thank you.
It is the same fight, always the same fight. It's the 40,000 ft view of the ground below, knowing there needs to be the fight against darkness. Same fight we are in now, but in our case we're facing the fight at eye level, not above. Perhaps we need to join the P-38 crews (modern fighters fly too high to see the ground), go above our current fight against the darkness, and again see what we are fighting for. We need to explain, much as Saint-Exupéry did to the US pilot, what we are fighting for, and how their participation, and ours, matter in the fight.
Thanks for sharing this letter with us Steve. Very moving. One worth framing so you can read it as you pass by once in a while just to remind you of what our fathers and grandfathers did for the world. My dad was 22 in 1941. 22. Imagine that.
My god this is profound. No dry eyes here…………
Incredible. Thank you.
Wind, Sand, and Stars is my favorite book.
WOW!