Menendez, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Honor the Service, Sacrifice of Gold Star Families on 75th Anniversary of D-Day

Press Release

On the 75th anniversary of D-Day, U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), joined Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and a group of Senate colleagues in introducing a bill to honor the sacrifice of all Gold Star families who have lost a loved one in service to the nation. The Gold Star Families Congressional Gold Medal Act would award the Congressional Gold Medal to Gold Star Families. The Congressional Gold Medal is the nation's highest civilian honor and is awarded to individuals and groups who have made meaningful contributions to the country through their patriotism, service, and accomplishments.

"As we commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day and the thousands of American troops who made the ultimate sacrifice in the Normandy invasion, we also honor and recognize the brave Gold Star Families our courageous service members have left behind to defend our freedoms," said Sen. Menendez, the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. "I'm proud to work with my colleagues in introducing The Gold Star Families Congressional Gold Medal Act to honor and pay tribute to these American heroes. At a time when our freedoms and position in the world are often taken for granted, we must never forget that our American way of life is only possible because of those who fought and sacrificed so much for something much larger than us, and recognize that their families, too, share in those sacrifices."

On June 6, 1944, the Normandy Landings, codenamed Operation Neptune, paved the way for the liberation of Europe. The Allies selected Normandy as the landing site for the invasion because it provided the best access to France's interior. Some 6,603 American troops were killed, wounded, or missing in action in the Normandy invasion.

Joining Sens. Menendez and Blumenthal in introducing The Gold Star Families Congressional Gold Medal Act are Sens. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.).