President Donald Trump opened his State of the Union address on Tuesday night by recognizing three veterans in the crowd who helped liberate Europe during World War II.
“This year America will recognize two important anniversaries that show us the majesty of America’s mission and the power of American pride,” Trump said to applause.
“In June we mark 75 years since the start of what General Dwight D. Eisenhower called the great crusade — the allied liberation of Europe in World War II.”
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D-Day became a critical battle during the war as he helped to turn the tides of World War II.
American forces stormed the beaches in Normandy, France, in what became a huge and bloody battle.
Elsewhere in Europe, soldiers parachuted in.
“On D-Day, June 6, 1944, 15,000 young American men jumped from the sky and 60,000 more stormed in from the sea to save our civilization from tyranny,” Trump said. “Here with us tonight are three of those incredible heroes: private first class Joseph Riley, staff sergeant Irving Locker — and sergeant Hartman Zeitcheck.”
D-Day became the largest seaborne invasion in history.
The operation began the liberation of German-occupied France — which would later spread to other occupied countries across the continent.
This article has been updated to reflect the correct spelling of veteran Irving Locker’s name.
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