Blumenthal & Murphy Applaud Senate Passage of Resolution Commemorating 80th Anniversary of D-Day

HARTFORD, CT] – In advance of the 80th anniversary of D-Day, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee and Senate Armed Services Committee, and Chris Murphy (D-CT), joined colleagues in passing a resolution commemorating this historic operation and expressing gratitude and appreciation to the members of the U.S. Armed Forces and Allied troops responsible for carrying out this unprecedented maneuver that proved decisive in securing victory in Europe.

The resolution was introduced by U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Chris Coons (D-DE), co-chairs of the Senate French Caucus.

“It is my 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.”

“Eighty years ago, thousands of brave Americans landed on the shores of Normandy and laid the groundwork for the liberation of France and an Allied victory in Europe. Today, we honor their heroism and pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice. We owe a deep debt of gratitude to those who served that day, and this anniversary is a solemn reminder that the fight for democracy is never free,” said Murphy.

In the early morning hours of June 6, 1944, 31,000 members of the United States Armed Forces, and 153,000 of their counterparts in the Allied Expeditionary Force, launched Operation Overlord by storming ashore five landing areas on the beaches of Normandy, France. The first day of the operation, which became known as D-Day, saw approximately 10,000 Allied soldiers wounded or killed, including 6,000 Americans. Operation Overlord led to Allied liberation of Western Europe from the control of Nazi Germany and an end to World War II.

U.S. Senators Blumenthal and Boozman 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. The delegation will arrive in Normandy on Thursday, June 6.

Download resolution text here.

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