Please take a moment today to remember the heroes of the Normandy landings on June 6, 1944.

The invasion of France by the Allies that day marks the beginning of the end for the Nazi reign over Europe.

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.

Less than a week later, on June 11, the beaches were fully secured and more than 326,000 troops, 50,000 vehicles and some 100,000 tons of equipment had landed at Normandy.

The Normandy invasion began to turn the tide against the Nazis.

A significant psychological blow, it also prevented Hitler from sending troops from France to build up his Eastern Front against the advancing Soviets.

The following spring, on May 8, 1945, the Allies formally accepted the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany. Hitler had committed suicide a week earlier, on April 30.

The generation who lived through the Great Depression and won World War II has been nicknamed the “Greatest Generation.”

I feel this is appropriate, commensurate with the sacrifices they made which gave us the post-war prosperity we still enjoy today.

So, thank not only veterans but anyone who persevered through those difficult times.

Sadly, not many remain so do not delay in recognizing those who saved humanity from oppression and darkness so long ago.