Joins President Obama in Tribute to Veterans of Normandy Invasion
WASHINGTON – Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki joins President Obama in honoring the bravery of those who stormed the beaches of Normandy 65 years ago in a commemorative visit to France this weekend.
Secretary Shinseki will also attend a ceremony hosted by the French government on Friday night in Paris where France will honor Veterans of World War II with the French Legion of Honor. The Secretary also is a recipient of this award.
D-Day ceremonies on Saturday, June 6 — the 65th anniversary of the Normandy invasion that was a turning point in the war against Nazi forces — will be held at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial. The cliff-top cemetery is located in Colleville-sur-Mer, Normandy, overlooking Omaha Beach.
The cemetery is the resting place for more than 9,300 military dead, most of whom lost their lives in the D-Day landings and ensuing operations.
Secretary Shinseki will travel with Veterans to Normandy to attend the D-Day ceremonies. In addition to a speech from President Obama, the anniversary events will include remarks from French President Nicolas Sarkozy, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
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