WWII veteran receives standing ovation, ‘USA’ chants after moving speech

Sergeant William Pekrull, 98, a decorated World War II and Normandy landings veteran, received a standing ovation and huge cheers after delivering a moving speech on the third night of the Republican National Convention titled “Make America Strong Again,” in which he recounted his harrowing war experiences and unwavering patriotism.

“It breaks my heart to see what our current president and vice president have done to this country that I love,” Pekrul said of President Biden. [get] We are allowing China to manipulate us, allowing terrorists to run wild in the Middle East, and allowing our southern border to be invaded.”

Pekrul called “America the greatest nation in the history of the world” and said that when he returned from the war in Europe, he “kissed the ground” and thanked God for his return.

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Delegates to the Republican National Convention gave Pekrul a standing ovation and chanted “USA,” while former President Donald Trump, who has attended the convention every night since Monday, smiled and applauded.

The veteran recounted some of the horrors of World War II and said he would never forget the horrors he saw while fighting the Nazis.

“I will never forget and will witness the horrors of the Nazi war camps and the Battle of the Bulge,” Pekrul recalled. “My friends and I fought to stop the Nazis. It was the last major offensive on the Western Front.”

“We worked and thanked Almighty God for delivering us from evil,” he continued, “but not many of us made it back home. I still miss many of my friends from that beach.”

Pekrul received two Bronze Stars and one Silver Star for his service in World War II. He is well known locally and served as grand marshal of Milwaukee’s Veterans Day Parade in 2019.

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Sergeant William Pekrull, an everyday American and World War II veteran, gestures during the third day of the Republican National Convention (RNC) at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA, July 17, 2024. (Reuters/Mike Seeger)

During his speech at the Republican National Convention, Pekrul voiced his strong support for President Trump, saying, “With President Trump now back as Commander in Chief, I will be reenlisting today.”

“And I will storm any coast my country needs me to,” Pekrul concluded. “May God bless you all. May God bless our country and the United States of America.”

The mood on the third day of the Republican National Convention took a subtly solemn turn with the attendance of the families of 13 American soldiers killed in America’s last war. Afghanistan War We talked about our loved ones.

Most of the audience remained standing while Gold Star families made comments.

At the end of the statement, the name of the fallen service member was read out to the audience, who responded by shouting the name back.

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Attendees hold American flags during the third day of the Republican National Convention (RNC) at Fiserv Forum on July 17, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Reuters/Gina Moon)

Other prominent speakers who spoke Thursday night, lending a powerful and unified voice to Trump as he formally accepts the Republican presidential nomination, included his son, Donald Trump Jr., his granddaughter, Kai Trump, and running mate J.D. Vance.

Fellow members of a University of North Carolina (UNC) fraternity who defended the American flag from anti-Israel agitators during campus demonstrations earlier this year also received a warm welcome as they flew their own flags.

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The Republican National Convention on Thursday night will continue with the theme “Make America Great Again.”

Get the latest 2024 campaign updates, exclusive interviews and more on Fox News Digital’s Election Hub.

Fox News Digital’s Michael Lee contributed to this report.