Blog: 70th Anniversary of D-day

Statement

June 6th marks the anniversary of the invasion of Normandy, France during World War II--also known as D-Day. Seventy years ago today, the United States, together with the allied forces, stormed Normandy's beaches to reclaim Europe from Hitler's totalitarian grasp. One of the units that parachuted into Normandy that morning was the 506th Infantry Regiment. Sixty years later, I was honored to follow in their footsteps as a platoon leader with the 506th in Baghdad.

Today, 30 of these brave soldiers will be honored for their heroism with the medal of Knight in the French Order of the Legion of Honour. Among these 30 soldiers are 4 Arkansans: Ted Hood of Little Rock, Horace Shankwiler of Hot Springs Village, Edward Fowler of Newport, and William Toombs of North Little Rock. The class of Knight in the Legion of Honour is France's highest decoration for service. In 2004, all Americans who helped liberate France during World War II became eligible for the medal. The world will forever be indebted to Ted Hood, Horace Shankwiler, Edward Fowler, William Toombs, and all the brave soldiers who fought that day, for they displayed boundless courage and devotion to our country. Seventy years on, we continue to be in awe of their accomplishments in the cause of freedom.

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