[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 7]
[House]
[Page 9172]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 COMMEMORATING THE VETERANS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE ALLIED LANDINGS AT 
                           NORMANDY ON D-DAY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Maine (Mr. Michaud) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. MICHAUD. Mr. Speaker, I am joined here today by my colleagues 
from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the French Caucus so that 
we may pay tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of the American 
soldiers who landed at Normandy, France, on June 6, 1944.
  This marks the 70th anniversary of D-day. Next week, Members of the 
House will travel to Normandy to join President Obama and other Allied 
heads of state to honor and remember the heroism of ``the longest 
day.''
  130,000 soldiers stormed the beaches at Normandy, long stretches with 
no cover from the enemy, fire that rained down from the hillsides 
above. Others parachuted or glided into the countryside, while at 
Pointe du Hoc, situated between Utah and Omaha, the 2nd Rangers climbed 
straight up the high cliffs, dodging gunfire and grenades and straight 
into the sights of the enemy cannons. It was a daunting, terrifying 
battlefield, but our troops answered the call with first-class bravery, 
and they got the job done as they always do.
  The historic victory came at a price. The Allied casualties that June 
day were tragically high: 1,100 Canadians, 2,700 British, 15,000 to 
20,000 Free French, and 6,000 Americans perished. Their bravery, their 
sacrifice, and their courage changed the very course of world history.
  Today marks the 10th anniversary of the dedication of the World War 
II Memorial. I want to thank the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur) for 
the key role she played in ensuring it was built.
  The memorial provides a place for solemn reflection and gives World 
War II veterans the chance to share their memories with each other as 
they participate and Honor Flights from across the country with their 
sons and daughters and grandchildren. A living piece of history.
  The World War II Memorial and the Veterans History Projects are 
employing every tool possible to catalogue, preserve, and make these 
firsthand memories for future generations. This effort is very 
important because there is a story that we must never forget.
  In closing, Mr. Speaker, to the sailors, soldiers, marines, and 
airmen who stormed the beaches, parachuted into the thorny hedgerows, 
scaled the cliffs, and fought their way inland, America and the world 
owes you, our Greatest Generation, a debt we can never repay. May God 
bless each and every one you, and may God bless the United States of 
America.

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