WWII veteran receives standing ovation, ‘USA’ chants after moving speech
Decorated WWII and D-Day veteran Sgt. William Pekrul, 98, received a standing ovation and loud cheers following his emotional speech on the third night of the Republican National Convention (RNC). The night was themed “Make America Strong Once Again.” Pekrul shared his poignant war experiences and enduring patriotism during his address.
“It hurts my heart to see what our current president and vice president have done to the country I love so well,” Pekrul said, criticizing President Biden. “As we get pushed around by China, terrorists run wild in the Middle East, and they let our southern border get overrun.”
Pekrul praised America as “the greatest nation in the history of the world” and recalled his return from the war in Europe. “When I came back from war in Europe, I kissed the ground and thanked God for my return,” he said.
The RNC delegates responded to Pekrul’s speech with a standing ovation and chants of “USA.” Former President Trump, who had attended each night of the convention since Monday, smiled and applauded.
During his speech, Pekrul recounted some of the horrors of WWII and emphasized that he would never forget the atrocities he witnessed. “I will never forget and witness the horror of the Nazi war camps and the Battle of the Bulge,” Pekrul recalled. “My friends and I fought to stop the Nazis, the last major push on the Western Front.”
“We worked, and we gave thanks to Almighty God for deliverance from evil,” he continued. “But not many of us came home. I still miss a lot of my friends on that beach.”
Pekrul earned two Bronze Stars and a Silver Star for his WWII service. Locally recognized, he was Grand Marshal of Milwaukee’s Veterans Day Parade in 2019.
During his RNC speech, Pekrul expressed strong support for Trump, saying, “With President Trump back as commander in chief, I would go back to re-enlist today.”
“And I would storm whatever beach my country needs me to,” Pekrul concluded. “God bless you, God bless our home, and God bless the United States of America.”
The tone of the third night of the RNC subtly shifted to one of somberness as family members of the 13 U.S. service members who lost their lives during the final days of the U.S. war in Afghanistan spoke about their loved ones.
Most of the audience remained standing on their feet as the Gold Star families made their remarks.
At the end of their statements, the names of each service member who died were read to the audience, with those in attendance shouting the names back in return.
Other notable speakers who added to the unifying energy behind Trump included his son, Donald Trump Jr., and granddaughter, Kai Trump, as well as VP nominee J.D. Vance, among others.
A group of University of North Carolina (UNC) fraternity brothers who protected an American flag from anti-Israel agitators during a campus demonstration earlier this year also received a warm welcome as they each held their flags.
Thursday night at the RNC will continue with the theme “Make America Great Once Again.”