[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 78 (Monday, June 7, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S6495]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              COMMEMORATING THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF D-DAY

  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I rise today to commemorate the 
anniversary of the Allied invasion of Western Europe.
  Sixty years ago yesterday, Allied troops landed on the beaches and 
parachuted into the fields of Normandy in an effort that would lead to 
the eventual destruction of the German Army and the liberation of the 
European continent.
  On the early morning of June 6, 1944, after years of logistical 
coordination and deceptive intelligence operations, U.S. troops and 
their counterparts from Britain, France, Canada, and Poland brought to 
bear their enormous power and tremendous bravery on Hitler's military.
  On that momentous day, over 150,000 Allied servicemen, including 
73,000 Americans, 5,000 ships, and more than 1,000 planes started to 
beat back the German Army.
  The attack began just after midnight when more than 13,000 
paratroopers carrying between 70 and 90 pounds of equipment jumped down 
into German-occupied territory. As these men fell through enemy fire to 
the fields and farmland of Normandy, the largest armada ever assembled 
steamed across the English Channel toward the French coast.
  At 6:30 a.m., the first wave of troops arrived on the beaches, 
unloading tens of thousands of soldiers in the face of mortar, 
artillery, and machine gun fire from the cliffs above the Normandy 
beaches.
  A second wave of Allied Forces landed at 7 a.m., charging up hills 
and scaling cliffs through continued firepower. The fighting continued 
throughout the day, and at day's end, the Allied casualties numbered 
nearly 10,000, of which 2,500 had died, including more than 1,400 
Americans.
  But more than 100,000 Allied soldiers had made it ashore and secured 
French coastal towns. On D-Day Plus Five, June 11, over 325,000 Allied 
troops, 54,000 vehicles, and 104,000 tons of supplies had arrived in 
Normandy.
  The D-Day invasion was one of the most daring military operations in 
history and it succeeded because of the courage of Allied soldiers and 
the careful planning of Allied military leaders. These brave troops and 
their leaders knew that this attack would determine the fate of Europe 
and much of the world for many years to come.
  With success on the coast of Normandy, the Allies advanced across 
France, liberating village after village on the path to Berlin. The 
massive landing and subsequent arrival of troops had allowed for a 
relentless advance and cleared the way to a conclusion of the war.
  The Americans who survived that day and that war are no longer young. 
Indeed, there are fewer D-Day veterans this year than last, and there 
will be fewer still next year. Yet the men who fought on that day 60 
years ago, and the Americans who supported their efforts at home and 
abroad, have created a legacy of peace and prosperity that continues to 
reign across Europe today.
  Europe is united, not by force of arms or tyranny, but by economic 
strength and cooperation. Last month, 10 new countries joined the 
European Union. Former battlefield adversaries now enjoy freedom of 
movement, a single currency, and a secure future for themselves and 
their children.
  The legacy of those D-Day veterans is also apparent in our Nation 
today. Just last week, thousands of veterans came to Washington, DC, to 
celebrate the opening of the World War II Memorial. These veterans 
reminded us that the prosperity we have enjoyed for most of the past 60 
years came at a price--the 400,000 American lives that were lost during 
World War II.
  The remarkable advancements in our Nation and the world during the 
past 60 years would not have been possible without the extraordinary 
effort undertaken by this generation of Americans and our allies who 
shared our commitment to freedom.
  Today, courageous soldiers, sailors, marines, and pilots continue to 
serve and sacrifice for this country. As we remember the brave 
individuals who served in Normandy and across the globe during World 
War II, we must also honor the men and women of today's military who 
are in harm's way.
  As of June 3, 126 American soldiers have died in Afghanistan and 
another 818 have died in Iraq. Thousands more have been injured. These 
men and women, along with their families, have made the ultimate 
sacrifice for our country. Today, I honor them and the approximately 
140,000 soldiers who continue to serve in the Middle East.
  June 6, 1944, was a crucial day in the history of this Nation and the 
history of the world. Today we recognize the contribution of those who 
served our Nation on that day and thank them for staring down tyranny 
and liberating Europe. They continue to serve our nation through the 
undiminished memory of a battle fought far from home for the good of 
all people.

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