Grassley Observes the 82nd Anniversary of D-Day, Calls for Continued “Peace Through Strength” Today

Floor Remarks by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa Senate President Pro Tempore “ D-Day Anniversary Serves as Reminder for Foreign Policy Today ” Monday, June 8, 2026 VIDEO On June the 6th, 1944, the United States and Allied Nations led that historic invasion on the beaches of Normandy, France. Two days ago, there was a remembrance of that occasion at a place called Omaha Beach. Nearly 160,000 Allied troops, 5,000 ships [and] 13,000 aircraft supported the assault against Hitler-dominated Europe. That allowed the Allied Powers to gain a foothold in Europe. And 11 months later, Europe was free of Adolf Hitler. While victory eventually followed, D-Day came with very heavy casualties. Thousands of paratroopers died before they even landed out of the sky, and amphibious tanks faced rough surf. And only two of 29 tanks made it ashore. Courageous infantrymen who stormed Omaha Beach were also severely disadvantaged and met with [a] brutal welcome from German artillery. On D-Day alone, more than 9,000 allied soldiers were killed or wounded. More than 2,000 were American servicemen. Knowing this history ought to prepare us for today and tomorrow and well into the future, because these sacrifices remind us of a hard truth: that failing to confront aggression early deepens the cost as time goes on. That lesson is something that we should keep top of mind as we continue efforts to address aggression today, whether it’s Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Iran’s destabilizing actions across the Middle East [or] rising tensions with China. These challenges are different than they were in World War II, but the pattern is very familiar. As we reflect on the anniversary of D-Day, we should be reminded not only of the bravery of those who fought, but [of] the unified front that made victory possible. That same unity forged by America’s doctrine of “peace through strength” will determine whether we preserve peace or pay a far higher price in the future. -30-