[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 70 (Wednesday, June 8, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 8, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
           A DEDICATION TO THE VETERANS OF OPERATION OVERLORD

  Mr. KOHL. Mr. President, this year, we honor the heroes of June 6, 
1944--D-day--brave young men who looked into the muzzles of Hitler's 
guns and walked away victorious. After fighting the Great War against 
tyranny, the participants in Operation Overlord became America's 
leadership base for the next 40 years. In the private sector, they 
built an industrial giant. In government, they finished the work begun 
on D-day, building our great Nation into an unrivaled superpower and 
cold war victor.
  Beginning in late 1941, the United States began to build the largest 
war machine in history. Millions served in uniform; millions more men 
and women dedicated themselves to war industry and agriculture. They 
worked with a unity of purpose, their total commitment to victory 
coming from the realization that they were not just fighting for 
democracy but for every ideal that Americans hold in common.
  By the time the first American soldier landed on the beaches at 
Normandy, American morale was as high as any fighting force in history. 
Generals planned the assault on Fortress Europe to the most minute 
detail. Southern England had become one massive military encampment 
containing America's investment for victory.
  Navy ships of every tonnage bombarded enemy positions on shore and 
aided the amphibious invasion. Army Air Corps planes bombed key 
industries in Germany and positions in France. Elite paratroopers 
attacked the fascist armies behind their own lines, and brave soldiers 
stormed the beachheads. No Nazi army, fed on fear and hate, could stop 
America's juggernaut of ideals, courage, and morale.
  Our tremendous success that day, our doormat to victory in Europe, 
did not come without cost. Today we mourn the 2,132 brave young men who 
gave their lives to preserve freedom when freedom was about to fall. 
Humanity owes them a great debt.
  The heroes of Operation Overlord are now fading into the sunset, but 
their deeds and sacrifices will never fade from our memories. We will 
always remember the lesson learned from that horrible war and the one 
that preceded it: the free nations of the world may want to lower their 
guards--it indeed may be just--but they must never do so, for injustice 
and tyranny lurk in every shadow. That is why it is especially 
important to recognize this 50th anniversary of D-day, so that today's 
children realize the sacrifices necessary to preserve freedom.

                          ____________________