COLLEVILLE-SUR-MER, FRANCE – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) joined a bipartisan Congressional Delegation to Normandy, France for the 75th anniversary of the D-Day invasion by Allied forces during World War II. The Delegation participated in an official ceremony at the American Cemetery of Colleville-sur-Mer. In late May, Rosen visited with Dr. Leedell Neyland, a WWII veteran from Henderson who served aboard a Navy Minesweeper off the shores of Normandy on D-Day.
Prior to the ceremony, Rosen and U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson (R-GA), John Barrasso, (R-WY), John Boozman (R-AK), Angus King (D-ME), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Susan Collins (R-ME), Pat Roberts (R-KS), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Deb Fischer (R-NE), James Lankford (R-OK), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Rick Scott (R-FL), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Martha McSally (R-AZ), and John Hoeven (R-ND) met with World War II veterans from the United States who made the trip for the special occasion. The delegation also met with General Tod Wolters, commander of U.S. European Command (EUCOM) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Supreme Allied Commander Europe.
“It is a tremendous honor to join my colleagues and represent the United States and Nevada at today’s ceremony honoring the 75th Anniversary of D-Day, in Normandy France, on the very beach where the invasion took place,” said Senator Rosen. “Recently, I had the opportunity to meet with one of the heroes of that fateful day, Dr. Leedell Neyland, a World War II veteran who lives in Henderson. At the young age of 22, Dr. Neyland was stationed over 5,000 miles away from home, as a steward aboard a Navy ship off the coast of Normandy. His incredible story is one of bravery, patriotism, and courage. Meeting with Dr. Neyland, making this pilgrimage, and attending this memorial ceremony was a truly moving experience. Hearing Dr. Neyland’s story, and the stories of countless American heroes has only reaffirmed and strengthened my commitment to supporting our veterans in every way I can.”
BACKGROUND: On June 6, 1944, with American and Allied paratroopers positioned behind enemy lines, Allied forces waded through waist-deep waters amid hailing enemy gunfire to storm the beaches of Normandy, France, as part of Operation Neptune, or “D-Day”. The landing that day marked the beginning of the Battle of Normany, and the culmination of the Allied plan to invade continental Europe: Operation Overlord. It was a joint naval, air, and land assault marking the start of Allied forces’ campaign to liberate Nazi-occupied Europe from the forces of evil. More than 6,000 Americans died that day, but their sacrifice and heroism marked the beginning of the end of World War II.
The D-Day 75th anniversary ceremony was attended by more than 150 veterans, U.S. elected officials, U.S. service members, dignitaries from our allied partners in the French government, and other participants.
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