***Video & Photos***Bipartisan Senate Delegation Led by Blumenthal & Boozman Joins World War II Veterans, International Allies in 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, arrived in Normandy, France today with a bipartisan Senate delegation to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion by Allied forces during World War II.
After arriving in France this morning, the delegation met with World War II veterans and attended a ceremony with American and French leaders at the American Cemetery of Colleville-sur-Mer.
Photos of the Senate delegation meeting with World War II veterans are available here.
B-roll video of today’s events is available here.
Direct to camera video of Blumenthal and Boozman is available here.
In addition to Blumenthal and Boozman, the Senate delegation includes 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).
“It is 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.”
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