“The Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in France is located in Colleville-sur-Mer, on the site of the temporary American St. Laurent Cemetery, established by the U.S. First Army on June 8, 1944 as the first American cemetery on European soil in World War II. The cemetery site, at the north end of its half mile access road, covers 172.5 acres and contains the graves of 9,387 of our military dead, most of whom lost their lives in the D-Day landings and ensuing operations.” ~American Battle Monuments Commission

Seventy-two years ago today, some of the Greatest Generation’s bravest souls stormed the beaches of Normandy to begin liberating a continent from evil. Perhaps there is no greater evidence of the enduring sacrifices made on June 6, 1944, than the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in France, which I hope to visit someday. Today and every day, we thank the heroes of D-Day and all World War II veterans for saving us from tyranny.