Blumenthal & Boozman to Lead Bipartisan Senate Delegation to Normandy for 80th D-Day Anniversary
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and John Boozman (R-AR), senior members of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, will lead a bipartisan Senate delegation traveling to Normandy, France to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion by Allied forces during World War II.
“It will be the privilege of a lifetime to pay homage to the Allied and American fighters – brave beyond words – who stormed Normandy’s beaches, liberated Europe, and saved the free world. I’m especially honored to lead this bipartisan Senate delegation to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Americans’ heroism and sacrifice, executing one of the greatest military feats in history, at incalculable cost and indescribable significance,” Blumenthal said. “On this solemn occasion, we reaffirm our historic bonds with allies – still at our side – making our strong nation even stronger. We will return better able to raise awareness about the meaning of D-day – of freedom and democracy, and the sacrifices necessary to defend them.”
“It is our duty to recognize the service and sacrifice of the Allied forces members who helped turn the tide of World War II and free Western Europe from Nazi occupation. We will never forget the courage and heroism of those who took part in D-Day, including the thousands of individuals who gave their lives in support of this mission,” Boozman said. “I am honored to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Operation Overlord in a ceremony with world leaders and my congressional colleagues and pay tribute to members of the Greatest Generation who changed the course of history.”
In addition to Blumenthal and Boozman, the Senate delegation will also include U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Joe Manchin (I-WV), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Gary Peters (D-MI), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Ted Budd (R-NC), Katie Britt (R-AL), and Eric Schmitt (R-MO).
The delegation will arrive in Normandy on Thursday, June 6, and join American and French leaders and veterans at a ceremony at the American Cemetery of Colleville-sur-Mer. The delegation will meet with World War II veterans and pay their respects at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial. Later that day, members of the delegation will join heads of state representing Allied partners at an international ceremony at Omaha Beach in Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer.
On Sunday, June 9, the delegation will watch as hundreds of U.S. servicemembers stationed in Europe, and from U.S.-based units with historical links to D-Day, join servicemembers and civilians from all over Europe participating in a commemorative parachute jump.
While in France, the delegation will also meet with American diplomatic and military leadership stationed in Europe.
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