[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 69 (Tuesday, June 7, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 7, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                          FREEDOM AT NORMANDY

  Mr. ROCKEFELLER. I thank the distinguished Presiding Officer, my 
friend and senior colleague from West Virginia.
  Mr. President, yesterday was an extraordinary day, a very emotional 
day. I was deeply struck by the President's use of the phrase ``we are 
the children of your sacrifice.''
  I think there are millions of Americans who share that feeling, and 
one is constantly optimistic about the nature of the American people 
and about the nature of American life. I very much hope that the 
events--not just of yesterday, but those leading up to yesterday--and 
the emotions, sentiments and facts that relate to what we celebrated 
yesterday will, in some way, supply part of the healing which we 
constantly need in this country. I hope it will supply not only a 
cross-generational healing, but also a sense of respect for what we are 
capable of doing in America when we set out to accomplish an objective.
  It was an extraordinary day and I, therefore, take, Mr. President, a 
few moments to pay tribute to some very brave American soldiers, 
sailors and aviators who, 50 years ago, fought for freedom at Normandy 
on D-day.
  The allied invasion of occupied France on D-day, June 6, 1944 set 
into motion the liberation of a tortured European Continent. As the 
allied command had hoped, the shorelines of Normandy proved to be the 
launching point from which the emancipation of Europe and ultimate 
victory would soon unfold.
  The alliance of Americans and British and Canadians and French, and 
others, who fought together on D-day was held together not only by 
military code. These brave individuals were bound together through the 
same values, the same convictions, and the same allegiances. We 
probably will never know for sure whether or not the more than 150,000 
young soldiers and sailors realized--each of them--the full meaning of 
their undertaking on D-day, as they were carried toward the Normandy 
coast aboard the largest allied armada ever assembled.
  Most of them were really very young. Some not much older than 
children. All of them, however, believed that some things are truly 
worth risking the ultimate sacrifice. Things like democracy, liberty, 
freedom from oppression and tyranny of any kind whatsoever. These 
individuals--all--had full lives ahead of them. They knew that. There 
is nothing quite so glorious as the buoyancy of youth.
  Yet, they believed in these principles strongly enough to risk their 
lives in the name of freedom. They are true heroes, Mr. President, and 
stand as examples to all of us.
  Mr. President, I would like to talk for a moment about one such brave 
soldier, who came in fact from the home county of the Presiding 
Officer, the President pro tempore of the Senate. I think that this 
young man's words and actions illustrate the meaning of selfless 
sacrifice much better than anything I could ever say myself.
  Pfc. Walter C. Walker--his family hailed from Beckley, WV--was a 
junior at Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley when he enlisted in the 
Marines in November 1942. He was sent overseas in 1943 at the age of 
19, never to return home. After learning of their only son's death in 
1944, Mr. and Mrs. Walker received a letter written by that young man--
young boy--expressing in a sense his prebattle farewell, perhaps his 
sense of premonition. Walter wrote to his parents:

       This is the most unusual letter that I've ever written. It 
     may be the last letter I ever write. I'm going into combat, I 
     don't know where, but it will be in a very few days. I am 
     leaving this letter in my sea bag and in case something 
     should happen to me, I hope it will be sent on to you. Just 
     remember I am prepared to go.

  A chaplain found that letter as he was checking over the gear of the 
20-year-old boy and then sent it on to the boy's family. That letter 
continued, Mr. President:

       Frankly I think I will come back, but you never can tell 
     what little accident will happen. I am doing this for my 
     country and people I love. So that little children may grow 
     up to be free and not have to take orders from devils like 
     Hitler and Tojo. I will gladly give my life to keep you and 
     dad free as long as you may live.

  He added that he wanted his parents to take his insurance money, 
which was probably not very much, but take that money to fix up their 
home and to live happily. He said in his letter:

       Please do this last favor for me. I want you to be the 
     happiest mother and dad in Beckley.

  These words are extraordinary, deep, and they are very humbling to 
me. Humbling because they show not only young Walt Walker's 
selflessness and patriotism but his apparent grasp of why he was 
venturing into harm's way--to fight for freedom.
  Mr. President, today, as I speak, the incredible and turbulent events 
of D-day stand as 50-year-old historical facts. As the world knows, 
France had been overrun by the Germans in 1940. Since 1941, Hitler's 
Third Reich had controlled the entire west coast of Europe. Hitler 
constructed a mighty defensive line called the Atlantic Wall, an 
intimidating barrier of steel, concrete, troops and weaponry that 
followed the shoreline for 22,400 miles. Allied commands agreed that 
the only way to free the enslaved French people and, indeed, all of 
Europe was to breach the Atlantic Wall's monumental defenses.
  There can be no question that the D-day invasion of Normandy 
comprised 24 of the bloodiest hours of World War II. American 
casualties alone are estimated to have been at over 6,600. Overall, 
12,500 Allied soldiers lost their lives on that day, and an additional 
10,000 were wounded. These losses were painful, profoundly affecting 
families and loved ones across my home State of West Virginia and the 
entire country. However, the very least that can be said is that these 
sacrifices were in no way made in vain.
  The course of World War II, which looked very grim in June of 1944, 
was successfully turned toward an Allied victory as a direct result of 
the D-day invasion.
  Today, as I reflect on the order of the day issued by Gen. Dwight D. 
Eisenhower, commander of the Allied expeditionary forces, to all Allied 
troops on the eve of D-day, June 5, 1944, I sincerely believe that 
every one of those brave young soldiers in fact understood the gravity 
of their situation. In his order, General Eisenhower spoke with 
inspiration and sincerity to his troops stating--and these are his 
words:

       Soldiers, sailors, and airmen of the Allied expeditionary 
     force, you are about to embark on the Great Crusade toward 
     which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the 
     world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving 
     people everywhere march with you.

  Mr. President, America's D-day warriors risked everything on the 
shores of Normandy and did so with a spirit and conviction which I 
think is uniquely American. For this reason, I am immensely grateful to 
America's D-day veterans and, frankly, stand in awe of them. From now 
until September 1995, the 50th anniversary of major battles and other 
events that shaped World War II will spur veterans to return to the 
sites where they served in Europe and in the Pacific Ocean. Other 
commemorations will take place across the United States of America.
  Let us take these upcoming opportunities to make a solemn promise to 
America's fallen heroes. Let us pledge to show them, through our 
actions and our reverence, that we truly understand what it is for 
which they did in fact die and sacrifice. Let us do that by finding 
strength and inspiration from the bravery, courage and spirit displayed 
by America's D-day veterans. Let us continue to uphold steadfastly the 
democratic ideals and freedoms for which they lived and for which they 
died, many of them, so many of them so young, 50 years ago.
  Mr. President, I also want to note with profound appreciation that 21 
of my colleagues in this Senate are veterans of World War II 
themselves. I commend them all for the courageous military service they 
have given our Nation. In particular, I wish to recognize my colleague 
from South Carolina, Strom Thurmond, whose part in the D-day invasion 
itself was remarkable and something for which I as an American am truly 
grateful.
  These colleagues who served their country through the military, 
continue to serve the United States with distinction and leadership.
  I was profoundly moved also, Mr. President, to see photographs of the 
President together with Senator Inouye, Senator Dole, Senator Hollings, 
and Senator Pell in their remembrance of their work in fighting in 
Italy. We come to know each other somewhat in this body, but sometimes 
we learn things that give us a special kind of respect.
  It is for the well-being of the brave men and women who have served 
in the Armed Forces that the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs 
continues to work diligently. Let me say that. They are what the 
committee is all about. Just as America's veterans have continued to 
ensure our Nation's security, I have pledged my chairmanship of the 
committee to ensuring that the security and care of our Nation's 
veterans remains steadfast and true.
  Without question, veterans deserve the benefits and services their 
country promised them in return for military service. Veterans deserve 
the best health care America has to offer, adequate compensation for 
service-connected disabilities, and to know in their hearts that their 
country acknowledges the many sacrifices made to keep our country 
strong.
  From now until September 1995, the 50th anniversaries of major 
battles and other events that shaped World War II will spur veterans to 
return to the sites where they served in Europe and the Pacific. Other 
commemorations will take place across the United States. As chairman of 
the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I want to take this 
opportunity to remind Americans that all of us we are still bound today 
by what bound us 50 years ago. Let us take these upcoming opportunities 
to make a solemn promise to America's fallen heroes. Let us pledge to 
show them through our actions and reverence that we truly understand 
what it is they died for, fought for, and suffered for.
  Mr. President, I conclude by borrowing a quote from another fellow 
West Virginian, Miles Kidd of Sissonville. Miles served with the 82d 
Airborne Division on D-day in Normandy and survived to tell about his 
important experiences. Among his many observations in the war I found 
the following the most insightful. He said:

       I know the people of West Virginia and all in this country 
     appreciate what we did. I would like to think that nobody in 
     our country would ever have to do that again, go through 
     another World War II. It seems to me that there should be 
     some way for civilized people all over the world to avoid 
     wars. It is a waste of human life--not really a waste of life 
     because we accomplished something that had to be 
     accomplished. But on all sides everyone lost an awful lot of 
     young lives, just barely starting out. There ought to be a 
     way to avoid that.

  As he said, there in fact ought to be a way to avoid these things.
  Mr. President, I again express my deep regard, respect, and awe for 
Senator Thurmond, for our fellow colleagues who are World War II 
veterans, and for other veterans all over this country who, I am sure 
like myself, were profoundly affected by the events, not just of 
yesterday but of the days that led up to it. I pray that these have 
been and will continue to be days of healing within our country, days 
where one generation looks to another, and, says, ``Thank you for 
giving me the freedom that I today have.''
  Mr. President, I thank the Presiding Officer. I yield the floor.

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