Herb Kohl: “this year, we honor the heroes of June 6, 1944--D-day--brave young men who looked into the muzzles of Hitler's guns and…”

“this year, we honor the heroes of June 6, 1944--D-day--brave young men who looked into the muzzles of Hitler's guns and walked away victorious. After fighting the Great War against tyranny, the participants in Operation Overlord became America's leadership base for the next 40 years. In the private sector, they built an industrial giant. In government, they finished the work begun on D-day, building our great Nation into an unrivaled superpower and cold war victor. Beginning in late 1941, the United States began to build the largest war machine in history. Millions served in uniform; millions more men and women dedicated themselves to war industry and agriculture. They worked with a unity of purpose, their total commitment to victory coming from the realization that they were not just fighting for democracy but for every ideal that Americans hold in common. By the time the first American soldier landed on the beaches at Normandy, American morale was as high as any fighting force in history. Generals planned the assault on Fortress Europe to the most minute detail. Southern England had become one massive military encampment containing America's investment for victory. Navy ships of every tonnage bombarded enemy positions on shore and aided the amphibious invasion. Army Air Corps planes bombed key industries in Germany and positions in France. Elite paratroopers attacked the fascist armies behind their own lines, and brave soldiers stormed the beachheads.”