Panetta attends Normandy ceremonies

TO HONOR those who lost their lives during the allied invasion of Nazi-controlled Europe 75 years ago, Democratic Rep. Jimmy Panetta was part of a congressional delegation that visited France Thursday.

Panetta attended D-Day ceremonies at the U.S. cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, and some of the beaches where the World War II invasion took place on June 6, 1944. The delegation included House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and more than 50 others.

Panetta said he was there — with many others from United States, France, the United Kingdom and Canada — to honor the "brave individuals who liberated Europe and advanced the cause of democracy."

"The service members who participated in D-Day are engrained in history," Panetta said in a statement. "Seventy-five years later, we must continue to honor their service and sacrifice as they forged international security and prosperity."

Among the veterans Panetta met with was one of five Americans who was presented with the Legion d'honneur medal, France's highest honor.