70th Anniversary Of World War 2 Allied D-Day Invasion Today, Roosevelt Island's Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney Honors NY Veterans - President Barack Obama Normandy D-Day Address Today

Today is the 70th anniversary of D-Day.



History.com reports:

During World War II (1939-1945), the Battle of Normandy, which lasted from June 1944 to August 1944, resulted in the Allied liberation of Western Europe from Nazi Germany’s control. Codenamed Operation Overlord, the battle began on June 6, 1944, also known as D-Day, when some 156,000 American, British and Canadian forces landed on five beaches along a 50-mile stretch of the heavily fortified coast of France’s Normandy region. The invasion was one of the largest amphibious military assaults in history and required extensive planning. Prior to D-Day, the Allies conducted a large-scale deception campaign designed to mislead the Germans about the intended invasion target. By late August 1944, all of northern France had been liberated, and by the following spring the Allies had defeated the Germans. The Normandy landings have been called the beginning of the end of war in Europe....

Click here for more on D-Day from History.com

According to this press release from Roosevelt Island's United States Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (NY-12), Ms. Maloney:

... is a member of a Congressional Delegation headed for Normandy to honor the sacrifices made by American troops during the D-Day Invasion 70 years ago. On Friday, June 6, the delegation will take part in observances of the anniversary at Omaha Beach and Sword Beach, in which U.S. President Barack Obama and French President Francois Hollande will participate.

“It is an honor to join my colleagues, and several New York veterans to honor the tremendous sacrifices made at the Normandy Beaches 70 years ago,” said Maloney. “During the Normandy landings, members of the American military and Allied Forces descended on the shores of France ready to die in order to rid France and the world of the genocidal imperialism of the Nazi occupiers. Many of the men who stormed the beaches of Juno, Gold, Omaha and Sword paid the ultimate price. As we reflect on the freedom France and the rest of the world won as a result of D-Day, I am so grateful for the sacrifice and the bravery of the men who fought that fight and are still with us today. It is a privilege to stand with them and celebrate their service.”

Several New York veterans will also take part in the observances:
Mr. Leo Cohen, New York, NY
Mr. Lawrence Friedland, New York, NY
Mr. John Trzaskos, Amsterdam, NY
Mr. Richard Baily, Johnson City, NY
Mr. Arnold Franco, New York
Mr. Jack Read, Brooklyn, New York
Mr. Stephen Weiss, Brooklyn, New York

On Tuesday, Maloney held an emotional ceremony at the VA Hospital in Manhattan to honor the bravery and service of veterans of World War II and those who stormed the beaches at Normandy in the fight to liberate France from Nazi occupation. Maloney, joined by NYC Mayor’s Office of Veterans’ Affairs Commissioner Terrance Holliday, awarded two veterans with Congressional Certificates and presented a number of military medals to one service member.

Congresswoman Maloney recognized local World War II and D-Day veterans, including Rocco Moretto, an Astoria native who fought at Normandy.

Rocco Moretto was in the U.S. Army Company C, 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, better known as “The Big Red One.” As a 19-year-old soldier, the Normandy invasion was the first action he saw, as part of the second wave of troops to storm Omaha Beach. He is one of just two men in his company who survived the war from Normandy until the Czechoslovakian liberation in 1945 without being killed, wounded or captured. Mr. Moretto also fought in the Battle of the Bulge.

Rep. Maloney also presented a certificate to Commissioner Holliday in honor of his late father, Roderick Holliday, who was a Corporal in the U.S. Navy and was present at the invasion of Normandy.

Rep. Maloney also presented service medals to Gerald Alperstein, a constituent and Navy veteran of the Vietnam War. He was presented with the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon and the Combat Action Ribbon. Mr. Alperstein is past legislative chair of the Jewish War Veterans and edits the organization’s publication.

Here's photo of Congresswoman Maloney and Mayor’s Office of Veterans’ Affairs Commissioner Terrance Holliday (standing 2nd from left) joined by WWII veteran and Astoria resident, Rocco Moretto (seated) and other veterans at the Manhattan VA Hospital in commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of D-Day.

Image From Congresswoman Maloney's Office

President Barack Obama's  attended today's ceremony in Normandy commemorating the 70th anniversary of D-Day. Here's what he had to say



as well as the remembrances



of D-Day veterans.

Congresswoman Maloney tweets:

It’s my honor to join the NYers who stormed the beaches 70 yrs ago at the site of the invasion that saved the world. pic.twitter.com/yHnxDhURXD

— Carolyn B. Maloney (@RepMaloney) June 6, 2014