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SALT LAKE CITY — Tuesday marks the 79th anniversary of the D-Day invasion of Normandy, France, by Allied forces on June 6, 1944, and several elected officials from Utah took to social media to commemorate those killed in the attack.
In a video posted to Twitter, Utah Sen. Mitt Romney spoke about how D-Day was a crucial turning point in World War II and led to the ultimate liberation of Europe and the end of the Nazi regime. The soldiers "represented the best of the American spirit — an unmatched resolve to protect freedom at home and abroad," he tweeted.
"We read history books about the war, and yet I don't think we have a sense of just how awful it was and how tragic it was and how devastating the loss was," he said. "But D-Day and the invasion in Normandy was absolutely essential; it ultimately had to happen if the fighters for freedom were going to be able to push Hitler back into Germany and ultimately provide for freedom for the continent and to secure our own freedom."
The senator told of his own visit to Normandy, and seeing "the beaches where so many lives were lost, and to see the cemeteries where our fallen are buried."
"It was overwhelming to look at the row after row of crosses and Stars of David, and to recognize just how dramatic the loss of life was," Romney said. "This sacrifice by these young people — they gave it all up, and they gave it all up on those beaches so they can help liberate an entire continent and provide freedom and security for ourselves and for our friends around the world."
79 years since the D-Day landing on Omaha beach, today we remember and honor the monumental bravery of our allied armed forces. These men represented the best of the American spirit—an unmatched resolve to protect freedom at home and abroad. We will never forget their sacrifice. pic.twitter.com/ofzMeiMQVl
— Senator Mitt Romney (@SenatorRomney) June 6, 2023
"Today, we honor the memory of the fearless Americans who landed on the beaches of Normandy on D-Day," Sen. Mike Lee tweeted. "Their bravery and dedication forever etched a mark on history, turning the tides of war & redefining the meaning of courage. Their legacy lives on in our shared pursuit of freedom."
Today, we honor the memory of the fearless Americans who landed on the beaches of Normandy on D-Day. Their bravery & dedication forever etched a mark on history, turning the tides of war & redefining the meaning of courage. Their legacy lives on in our shared pursuit of freedom. pic.twitter.com/gCOLoUgwOx
— Mike Lee (@SenMikeLee) June 6, 2023
Utah Rep. Burgess Owens tweeted: "79 years ago today, 160,000 brave Allied troops landed on the beaches of Normandy to liberate Europe from the tyranny of Nazi Germany. We will never forget America's Greatest Generation and their extraordinary sacrifices for freedom."
79 years ago today, 160,000 brave Allied troops landed on the beaches of Normandy to liberate Europe from the tyranny of Nazi Germany. We will never forget America's Greatest Generation and their extraordinary sacrifices for freedom. #DDaypic.twitter.com/mRC2gLgemh
— Rep. Burgess Owens (@RepBurgessOwens) June 6, 2023
The Utah Senate also commemorated the day in a tweet, saying the battle "turned the tide of WWII and we owe much to these heroic individuals."
Today, we remember the Allied troops who stormed Normandy, France, in the D-Day invasion. D-Day turned the tide of WWII and we owe much to these heroic individuals. #uptolpic.twitter.com/6zTeGkpa2z
— Utah Senate (@utahsenate) June 6, 2023
