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In the early morning 75 years ago today, Allied forces landed on the beaches of Normandy and began the liberation of Europe. The anniversary of D-Day is a somber day to remember the incredible sacrifices made that day. #DD75 
More than 4,000 allied soldiers gave their lives that day, 184 of whom were from Virginia.
Among them were 19 young men in the first wave from Bedford, VA — a small town that sent 35 of its sons to war. By the end of the war, 22 of the “Bedford Boys” had been killed in action — the largest loss of any American town.
Elsewhere on Omaha Beach, a young Lieutenant from Low Moor, VA named Jimmie Monteith spent the final hours of his life turning the tide of battle against the Nazis.
Under heavy fire, he led two American tanks on foot through a minefield to take out German machine guns that had pinned down his men.
He saved the lives of his men and led the charge through German defenses before he was killed in action. Lt. Monteith was awarded the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary courage in battle.
His were among the thousands of individual acts of valor that day. We recognize them them with medals. We tell their stories so we never forget the men who stopped the Nazi’s advance and changed the course of history.
But perhaps the greatest measure of what took place that day is this: 75 years later, we still live in a world safe for freedom and democracy. For that, I’m grateful.
Right now I’m headed to Bedford, VA, home of the National D-Day Memorial, to commemorate what happened that June morning in 1944 and thank the D-Day veterans who will be in attendance.
I hope you’ll join me in taking a moment to reflect on the sacrifices that were made that morning 75 years ago and honor the men who were there.
