Palmetto State News

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) is traveling to Normandy, France, as part of a bipartisan Senate delegation for the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion by Allied forces during World War II.

Senator Graham stated, "I am incredibly privileged and honored to be able to attend the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landing with my House and Senate colleagues."

"Eighty years ago, the Allied forces, led by General Eisenhower, planned and executed one of the most amazing military operations in history. But like every great plan, it works until it doesn’t, and that is when the innovation, courage and determination of the common soldier takes over," he added.

"There will be 100 American D-Day veterans attending this ceremony, and their average age is over 100 years-old. I can only imagine how they must feel all these years later."

"My message to them is simple: Thank you for saving the civilized world and the American way of life. May God bless you and may your fallen comrades rest in peace."

The Senate delegation is being led by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut) and John Boozman (R-Arkansas) and includes U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-Washington), Jack Reed (D-Rhode Island), Jeanne Shaheen (D-New Hampshire), Joe Manchin (I-West Virginia), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Gary Peters (D-Michigan), Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana), Maggie Hassan (D-New Hampshire), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), Kyrsten Sinema (I-Arizona), Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama), Ted Budd (R-North Carolina), Katie Britt (R-Alabama), and Eric Schmitt (R-Missouri).

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

On Sunday, June 9, the delegation will watch as hundreds of U.S. servicemembers stationed in Europe, along with U.S.-based units with historical links to D-Day, join servicemembers and civilians from across Europe participating in a commemorative parachute jump.

While in France, the delegation will also meet with American diplomatic and military leadership stationed in Europe.

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