Today, June 6, 1944, 150,000 Allied forces landed across a 50 mile stretch of heavily-fortified French coastline to fight Nazi Germany on the beaches at Normandy. It was the largest military undertaking ever at the time with 5,000 ships and 11,000 aircraft supporting the effort to get a toehold in France.

By the day’s end, 9,000 Allied troops would lose their lives, but as General Dwight D. Eisenhower said to his commanders what was required was simple: “Total victory. Nothing less.”

Seventy years later, many of the heroes from that generation have passed, and we are diminished as a nation by their loss. To those who we’re fortunate enough to still have in our midst, our heartfelt thanks. We will never forget your sacrifices and we will endeavor to live up to your standards today, and every day, into the future.