"It is the duty of our men to enroll themselves in the national services. We need all our manpower for defence. For the military and... we need a quarter of a million men"

During a time of national crisis, Eamon de Valera emphasized the necessity for collective participation in safeguarding the nation. His invocation of duty appeals to a strong sense of civic responsibility, urging men across the country to place the needs of their homeland above personal interests. By stating that "it is the duty of our men", he frames military and national service not as a voluntary act or an individual choice but as an obligation inherent to citizenship, essential for the survival and security of the community.

The call for all manpower reveals a context in which Ireland faced extraordinary challenges, possibly during the years surrounding the Second World War, when issues of defense, sovereignty, and neutrality were pressing concerns. The phrase underscores the gravity of the situation, implying that ordinary peacetime distinctions, such as those between civilians and the military, must yield to the greater demand for national unity and coordinated action. By using the word "all", de Valera signals that no one is exempt; every able man is needed, and individual contributions are vital to the collective effort.

The specification of a quarter of a million men sets a concrete target, giving the appeal both urgency and scale. It transforms abstract notions of patriotism into tangible action, inviting the population to measure their response against this clear criterion. The inclusion of different branches, “for the military and…” hints at various roles, highlighting that defense is multifaceted and may involve a variety of services beyond direct combat. This further broadens the call, encompassing logistics, support, and perhaps civil defense, reinforcing the idea that the nation's security depends upon a coordinated, comprehensive strategy.

Through authoritative yet inclusive rhetoric, de Valera's message seeks to mobilize, unify, and inspire, framing the defense of Ireland as a collective enterprise in which the contribution of every individual is critical to the nation's future.