ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota Governor Tim Walz will travel to France this week to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
On Thursday, Walz will attend the D-Day 80th anniversary presidential ceremony, where several Minnesotans who fought in World War II will be recognized.
Nearly 160,000 Allied troops, including 73,000 from the United States, landed in Normandy on June 6, 1944, during a large-scale operation designed to break through heavily fortified German defenses and begin the liberation of Western Europe.
According to the Necrology Project, a total of 4,415 Allied troops were killed on D-Day, including approximately 2,500 Americans. More than 5,000 were injured.
“Those who stormed the shores of Normandy on D-Day demonstrated a fierce commitment to our country and to the ideals of freedom, courage and sacrifice. Minnesota has strong ties to this historic day, represented by the many soldiers who courageously risked their lives in the name of freedom,” Walz said.
Dozens of them World War II veterans gather in Francemany perhaps for the last time, to revisit old memories and make new ones.
Many world leaders are expected to attend the ceremony on Thursday.
WCCO’s John Lauritsen and Tom Aviles are also in France to celebrate the historic anniversary, share stories of Minnesota veterans who fought in World War II.
