Thank you for your sacrifice.
Today is the 80th anniversary of D-Day, when Allied forces stormed the beaches of Normandy, France, and restored freedom to the European continent by defeating Germany.
More than 160,000 Allied troops crossed the English Channel to land on the beaches, climb the steep cliffs under heavy fire, and win the battle.
On the first day of the invasion, Allied troops suffered 10,000 casualties, with 4,400 killed. From June 6 until fighting ended at the end of August, there were more than 124,000 American casualties, with nearly 21,000 killed. The British and Canadian forces suffered 83,000 casualties and 16,000 killed.
The Normandy American Cemetery, located atop the tall cliffs, contains the graves of 9,388 Americans.
We honor the sacrifice of all Allied forces, and remember them on this 80th anniversary. Congressman Bill Huizenga is among a congressional delegation at Normandy today.
President Ronald Reagan paid tribute on the 40th anniversary. His eloquent speech, called “The Boys of Pointe du Hoc”, honors the bravery displayed in Normandy. Listen here: