Gov’t Shutdown Arrives At The Beaches Of Normandy
The beaches in Normandy, France are being affected by the government shutdown here in the US.
Normandy is the place in which thousands of allied forces landed in one of the most decisive battles during World War II and the cemetery on its grounds is funded by the government.
Tourists taking a trip to the Omaha Beach Normandy American Cemetery in which 9,387 service members who gave their lives for their country are buried, will find it closed.
The cemetery is one of 24 US military sites that has been closed since Monday, after the government’s partial shutdown.
On June 6, 1944, 160,000 Allied troops landed on the fortified 55-mile expanse in France to fight Nazi Germany in what would end up being a decisive battle in resolving the conflict and toppling Adolf Hitler and his henchmen.
Millions of visitors come to pay respects to family members and to recount the great battle that ensued, but with the government shutdown in place it will be not possible.
General Eisenhower called the operation a crusade in which “we will accept nothing less than full victory.”
More than 5,000 Ships and 13,000 aircraft were involved in the D-Day invasion, and at the end of the day, the Allies had control of Omaha Beach.
The D-Day casualties were heavy with more than 9,000 Allied soldiers were killed or wounded. The remaining 100,000 soldiers began the conquest of Europe.
The Beaches in Normandy were chosen for the invasion because they were less protected than other points in the country and they were within air range coverage for the troops based in Great Britain.
Ten sites across Europe, Panama, Tunisia, and the Philippines will remain shutdown until the government reopens. The Cemeteries are maintained by the American Battle Monuments Commission, which was created after World War I.
The D-Day memorial in Normandy, France is one of many site affected by the government shutdown in Washington, D.C. and will remain closed until the White House and Congress end the standstill.
