WASHINGTON –U.S. Senate French Caucus co-chairs Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Mary Landrieu (D-LA) introduced a resolution this week to mark the upcoming 70^th Anniversary of the D-Day invasion and honor the U.S. Armed Forces who helped bring an end to World War II.

“On D-Day, the brave men and women of the Allied Forces began the opening phase of Operation Overlord in an effort to break the Nazi stranglehold on Western Europe. Now, 70 years later, it remains our duty to remember the sacrifices made by the members of the Greatest Generation, including those brave Arkansans, who answered the call of those being oppressed by the Nazi and Fascist regimes,” Boozman said. “As Co-Chair of the Senate French Caucus, I have joined with Senator Landrieu to introduce this resolution to recognize the upcoming 70th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings and to express our gratitude and appreciation to the members of the U.S. Armed Forces who participated in these operations.”

“Together, with my Co-Chair of the Senate French Caucus, Sen. Boozman, and in coordination with the Parliament of the French Republic, we've introduced a resolution to recognize the lives of those lost in World War II. Seventy years ago today, on the beaches of Normandy, brave Americans fought and died for our freedom. If it wasn't for their courageous efforts and honorable service, the war may have lasted much longer and many more lives would have been lost. Today, we remember the sacrifices of the Greatest Generation, a number of those heroes came from my home state of Louisiana,” said Sen. Landrieu. “While we take time to remember the sacrifices made in World War II, it's important that we also reflect on what can be learned from the war. I hope, together, our generation and future generations take advantage of the resources available at the World War II museum in New Orleans, where you can see first-hand contributions our state's heroes made to one of the most tragic wars in our nation's history.”

In the early morning hours of June 6, 1944, 31,000 members of the United States Armed Forces, and 153,000 of their counterparts in the Allied Expeditionary Force, launched Operation Overlord by storming ashore five landing areas on the beaches of Normandy, France. The first day of the operation, which became known as D-Day, approximately 10,000 Allied soldiers were wounded or killed, including 6,000 Americans. Operation Overlord led to Allied liberation of Western Europe from the control of Nazi Germany and an end to World War II.

In recognition of the incredible feats achieved by our veterans, the Parliament of the French Republic has asked to join Congress in the passage of an identical resolution in both bodies, honoring these sacrifices made in the name of liberty.