D-DAY: Republicans reflect on 79th anniversary of troops who stormed the beaches of Normandy

by Summer Lane

Photo: Alamy

On June 6, 1944, American forces stormed the beaches of Normandy, France, coalescing the troops of land, air, and sea into the largest amphibious military invasion in the history of the world.

Codenamed “Operation Overlord,” it marked a turning point in World War II, kick-starting the eventual demise of the Nazi machine and the evolution of American military might into American military supremacy.

According to the Department of Defense, more than 160,000 Allied forces comprised the D-Day operation, which also resulted in the death or injury of over 9,000 brave Allied soldiers.

D-Day has long been a solemn symbol of American courage and heroism, highlighting the unique bravery of countless U.S. soldiers who left their homes to fight for freedom on foreign soil.

To honor the memory of the fallen soldiers who stormed Normandy in 1944, conservative leaders and House Republicans took a moment on Tuesday to reflect on the operation that paved the path toward ending a global war.

President Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign released a solemn video that spoke to the profound sacrifice made by those who died in Normandy 79 years ago, interspersing clips and photos from the invasion with a speech he delivered while president.

“The lives that they gave, the sacrifice that they made – did not just win a battle,” he said. “It did not just win a war. Those who fought here won a future for our nation. They won the survival of our civilization, and they showed up a way to love, cherish and defend our way of life for many centuries to come.”

Trump ally and political firebrand Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., also commemorated the occasion on Twitter, writing, “On the 79th Anniversary of D-Day, we remember the allied forces that stormed the shores of Normandy in defense of our freedoms, beginning the liberation of France and Western Europe.”

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) additionally honored the memory of D-Day’s fallen soldiers. He stated on social media, “On the anniversary of D-Day, we remember the brave men who gave their lives to protect our nation against great evil. Their sacrifice will not be forgotten.”

Pennsylvania State Sen. Doug Mastriano (R), who ran for governor in 2022, added, “Today, we remember and honor the brave young men who confronted a danger few can imagine. More than 160,000 Allied troops landed on the French coastline to fight Nazi Germany. Over 9,000 were killed or wounded.”

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