Commentary: US Rep. Sam Graves

U.S. Rep. Sam Graves R-Missouri

Dear Friend,

June 6, 1944, marked a pivotal moment in World War II. In the early morning hours, Operation Overlord commenced as paratroopers dropped into Normandy, France, under the cover of darkness. The largest naval bombardment in history followed shortly thereafter. Within hours, Allied forces stormed the beaches, where many were cut down under heavy gunfire. By day’s end, more than 9,000 had given their lives or were wounded to gain a foothold for freedom.

That day, 156,000 brave young men fought valiantly in the pursuit of freedom, with many American forces led by North Missouri’s own General Omar Bradley. While few survivors of World War II remain, we still reflect on the values of those who fought that day and throughout the war.

Volunteering to defend your country requires bravery and unwavering dedication. I’m grateful for those who served that day and the many who paid the ultimate sacrifice during the invasion. While the heroics and harrowing events of that day are still hard to fathom, our nation continues to be blessed by those who selflessly serve.

The world is a dangerous place, and undoubtedly, we have enemies who continue to oppose the very concept of American freedom. It’s incumbent upon us to ensure that we are prepared to defend against those enemies, and that means providing our troops the resources they need to do their jobs.

Serving on the House Armed Services Committee in Congress has given me much deeper insight into the threats our nation faces and what our troops need to get the job done. Just this week, we moved another defense bill out of the Committee to ensure we rebuild our military and equip it to defend our nation. If we’re going to ask folks to step up for our country, we owe it to them to step up for them.

As we commemorate the 82nd anniversary of D-Day, join me in remembering the thousands of lives that were lost in the pursuit of freedom that day. May we never forget their sacrifice, nor the ideals that led them to serve.

Sincerely,

Sam Graves