Investment: “The Trump team greatly increased funding for
development and procurement of new weapons. Outlays for R&D
increased over 50 percent between 2016 and 2020, while outlays for
the procurement of weapons rose 35 percent. Much of this money
was devoted to fielding a new generation of war-fighting systems,
including a more survivable bomber, longer-range rotorcraft and
unmanned systems.”
Modernization: “Recapitalization of the nation’s aging nuclear arsenal
was the first major military initiative Trump cited when he announced
he intended to seek the presidency. Deterring nuclear attacks by
sustaining a diverse and survivable retaliatory force has long been
the foundation of the US defense posture, but by the time Trump
decided to run the entire strategic arsenal had grown old, including
its command and control network and its industrial complex.”
Space: “The Trump Administration has launched a major effort to
increase the resilience of US space assets, which includes making
orbital capabilities more survivable, protecting ground systems, and
rendering downlinks/uplinks harder to jam or intercept. Much of the
new money is going to secret projects such as sophisticated sensor
arrays, but the organizational manifestations of increased emphasis
on space are easy to see: a sixth branch of the military called the
Space Force, a unified command, a dedicated Space Development
Agency, and other bureaucratic constructs.”
Allies: “President Trump has not been shy about telling allies they
must do more to support collective security. That goes particularly
for the European members of NATO The North Atlantic Treaty
Organization, many of whom have stopped thinking rigorously about
the military threat posed by Russia.”
Thompson closes his assessment with this observation:
“From hypersonic weapons to multi-domain warfare to soldier
lethality, Trump has done more to rebuild US war-fighting capabilities
than any president since Reagan.”
And the president did more than just add a branch to the services
and dollars to the military budget: He has held men and women who
serve in high esteem and honored them accordingly. The 2020 State
of the Union was just such an occasion and Charles McGee was just
such a person.
During the Second World War, McGee, one of the last surviving
Tuskegee Airmen fighter pilots, flew a P-51B Mustang that he had
nicknamed “Kitten” after his wife. He spent more than 30 years in the
Air Force and was honored with awards numerous times, including
the Congressional Gold Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying
Cross, and the Bronze Star.
“After more than 130 combat missions in World War II, he came
back home to a country still struggling for civil rights and went on
to serve America in Korea and Vietnam,” Trump said of McGee. “On
December 7th, Charles celebrated his 100th birthday.”
The president had previously signed a bill promoting McGee to
Brigadier General.
“I pinned the stars on his shoulders in the Oval Office,” Trump said.
“General McGee, our nation salutes you. Thank you, sir.”
Among those applauding McGee’s achievements was his 13-year-old
great-grandson Iain Lanphier who wants to attend the US Air Force
Academy and eventually join the newly instituted Space Force.
Also present at the 2020 State of the Union was Kelli Hake whose
husband, Staff Sergeant Christopher Hake, was killed by a roadside
bomb in 2008 during his second deployment to Iraq.
“Sergeant Hake now rests in eternal glory in Arlington. And his wife,
Kelli, is in the gallery tonight, joined by their son, who is now 13 years
old and doing very, very well,” Trump said. “To Kelli and Gage, Chris will
live in our hearts forever. He is looking down on you now. Thank you.”
Perhaps one of the most heart-warming and surprising moments
came when Amy Williams from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, was
honored. Amy, who works full time and volunteers to help other
military families, is married to Sergeant 1st Class Townsend Williams.
“Amy’s kids haven't seen their father’s face in many months,” the
president said. “Amy, your family’s sacrifice makes it possible for all of
our families to live in safety and in peace. And we want to thank you.”
The Commander in Chief announced a “special surprise” for her family.
“I am thrilled to inform you that your husband is back from
deployment,” President Trump said. “He is here with us tonight. And
we couldn’t keep him waiting any longer.”
Sergeant Williams entered the gallery and greeted his wife and
children, prompting many to chant: “USA! USA! USA!”
Honoring military men and women as well as their families has been
a tradition at recent State-of-the-Union addresses. In 2018, one
such guest was Corporal (Retired) Matthew Bradford. In 2007, he
stepped on an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in Iraq and was
blinded when shrapnel struck his eyes. He also lost both legs. After
multiple surgeries and extensive therapy, Bradford re-enlisted in the
Marine Corps; the first blind, double-amputee to do so. He is now an
inspirational speaker who shares his story with audiences, capturing
their attention with his motto: “No Legs, No Vision, No Problem.”
Another special guest was Preston Sharp. The president told
members of Congress that the youngster had noticed that some
graves of veterans were not marked with flags on Veterans Day.
He decided that trend needed to change, so he came up with this
mission statement:
“Veterans fought for our freedoms and risked their lives whether
or not we realized it or appreciated it. Without the services of our
veterans, we would not have the freedoms we do today. Veterans
have served all of us. This is why I have made it my mission to Honor
Veterans everyday, not just the holiday.”
Among the results of his campaign: Ten of thousands of flags have
been placed on the graves of veterans.
The TRUMP RALLY Publication 121