2024 Senate Resolution 123

Whereas, On June 6, 1944, approximately 156,000 Allied troops landed along a heavily fortified stretch of French coastline, seeking to breach Fortress Europe and strike a crucial blow against the fascism of Nazi Germany; and

Whereas, D-Day, code named “Operation Overlord”, was fought along the beaches of Normandy so that Europe might be free from the bonds of tyranny and oppression; and

Whereas, More than 5,000 ships and 11,000 aircraft supported the invasion, making D-Day the largest naval, air, and land operation ever undertaken; and

Whereas, These soldiers, many of whom were not even 20 years old, faced a daunting and perilous task as they fought through the ocean surf, braving artillery shells and machine gun fire with little to no natural cover to protect against enemy guns; and

Whereas, Allied forces suffered more than 10,000 casualties that day with over 4,000 Allied soldiers making the ultimate sacrifice, laying down their lives on the beachheads of France. Many sons of America were laid to rest in the graveyards of Europe, young lives cut short before their time, thousands of miles from home; and

Whereas, The brave men who waged battle on the Normandy coast represent the best of mankind, embodied by a love of country, a dedication to humanity, and, above all else, a profound and steadfast devotion to the causes of liberty and freedom; and

Whereas, All those American soldiers are testaments to America’s enduring promise to forever stand tall against tyrannical governments, to always protect and defend democracy, and to never forget that our nation and all great nations were built upon the principles of freedom; and

Whereas, We must always remember and honor the men who fought and died on that day, both those who returned home as heroes, husbands, and fathers, and also those whom history called to their final breath on Normandy sands; and

Whereas, The world owes a debt of gratitude to the members of the “Greatest Generation” who assumed the task of freeing the world from Nazi and fascist regimes and restoring liberty in Europe; and

Whereas, Michiganders, realizing full well that words ring hollow in honoring the bravery, valiance, and courage of these men, seek to honor their memories; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate, That the members of this legislative body commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day; and be it further

Resolved, That we encourage all Michiganders to observe the anniversary of D-Day and to forever honor those souls whose eulogy will always be a free and democratic Europe.