Paying tribute 70 years later

Dear Friends,

Today, the 70th anniversary of D-Day, marks one of the most courageous days in American history. On June 6, 1944, 160,000 troops, including 73,000 Americans, stormed the beaches of Normandy to risk their lives for the individual freedoms of our great nation and the rest of the world.

We sacrificed to protect freedom in America and around the world and we paid a dear price for it that day and during the rest of World War II with the lives of the men and women who didn’t return home safely when it was over. My father and my uncles served during World War II, and I have been touched by the tales of sacrifices they and thousands of patriots made while fighting for the survival of liberty around the world.

Three years ago, I was fortunate enough to visit Normandy and the Normandy American Cemetery where some 9,000 Americans who gave their lives in that effort are buried. It was a beautiful, quiet place – and it’s difficult to imagine the chaos and destruction that happened there now 70 years ago today, but it’s critical that we remember and honor the heroic action that took place on that hallowed ground.

I ask everyone to join me and take a moment today to pay tribute to our World War II veterans, and do what we can to uphold our commitment to them – and all veterans – as they committed to protect our country.

As always, I welcome hearing your views on this issue, or any other, through email or by contacting me on Twitter @SenatorCarper and on Facebook atfacebook.com/tomcarper.

Thank you,