Congressional Representatives Heading to Normandy to Honor D-Day

House Speaker Mike Johnson announced on Wednesday, through a press release, that a bipartisan Congressional Delegation is heading to Normandy, France, to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion.

On Thursday, June 6, the delegation will join anniversary events alongside veterans and their families, active duty service members, government and military officials, and foreign dignitaries.

“Eighty years ago, American and allied forces embarked on what remains the greatest military operation in human history, as Nazi Germany and the Axis powers threatened Europe. Bound by their shared commitment to liberty, security, and freedom, these brave soldiers stormed the beaches of Normandy as liberators, not conquerors,” said Speaker Johnson.

“It is my great honor to lead this Congressional Delegation to honor the heroes who freed Europe and turned global peace into a reality. The world watched these young men that day, and 80 years later, we return to the site of their triumph and sacrifice to reaffirm our dedication to freedom and express our gratitude to those who made it achievable.”

The delegation is scheduled to arrive in Normandy on Thursday, June 6, for a ceremony at the American Cemetery of Colleville-sur-Mer, alongside American and French leaders and veterans. They will meet with World War II veterans and pay homage to their legacy at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial. Later that day, the delegation will join Allied heads of state for an international ceremony at Omaha Beach in Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer.

On Sunday, June 9, the delegation will witness a commemorative parachute jump featuring U.S. service members in Europe, American-based units with ties to D-Day history, and military personnel and civilians from across Europe. Additionally, during their stay in France, the delegation plans to meet with American diplomatic and military officials stationed in Europe, as reported by The Register Herald reported.

Senator Joe Manchin, I-W.Va., member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, echoed Johnson’s sentiments.

“We must always honor the heroism and valor displayed by our military 80 years ago when they stormed the beaches of Normandy to fight our enemies and secure victory for America and our allies,” Manchin said.

“As we travel to France for the 80th anniversary of D-Day, we honor and thank the brave heroes who stormed the beaches of Normandy in the greatest seaborne invasion in history to liberate Europe from the grasp of Nazi Germany,” Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La.,stated.

“We must never forget the sacrifices of the ‘greatest generation’ who paid the ultimate cost for our freedom and the freedom of our allies by standing against evil during World War II.”