In The News
Weekly Column: Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of D-Day in Normandy
Washington,
June 11, 2024
Last week, I traveled to Normandy with a Congressional Delegation to honor the 80th Anniversary of D-Day. Standing on the hallowed ground of Utah Beach was extremely humbling and gave me an entirely new perspective. It was a great honor to represent Southwest Michigan and our nation. On June 6, 1944, the Allied forces launched a historic mission on the beaches of Normandy that led to the liberation of Europe. This day not only changed the trajectory of the war, but the future of the free world. General Eisenhower’s letter to the Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force ahead of the D-Day invasion remains a powerful and inspiring message, even 80 years later. While I encourage you to read the entirety of his message, the following lines stand out to me: “The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you… The tide has turned! The free men of the world are marching together to Victory!” I am also reminded of my father during this time. He served during WWII and was fortunate to survive a B-24 crash in southern Italy. Sadly, 10 of his fellow soldiers on that plane did not. My father taught me to honor the memory of all our fallen soldiers, and I continue to stress the importance of honoring those who gave their lives on behalf of our freedoms. Before the bipartisan delegation left for Normandy, the House passed, and I voted for, H.R. 8580, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2025. This legislation fully funds veterans’ health care and benefits programs while improving dental care as well as more resources for mental health and toxic exposure care. We must never forget the courage displayed by our fellow Americans and Allied Forces who stormed the beaches in France. Their bravery played a critical role in turning the tide of WWII. We must also remember the many heroes that made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our liberty and restore freedom for our European Allies. |