[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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