Governor Steve Beshear's Communications Office
In Normandy, Governor and First Lady Honor Kentucky Service Members Killed in WWII

NORMANDY, France – Governor Steve Beshear and First Lady Jane Beshear planted flags at the gravesites of fallen Kentucky service members today during a visit to Omaha Beach, the site of the American and Allied D-Day attack against Germany on June 6, 1944, during World War II. 

“Today, we visited the American Cemetery at Omaha Beach with President Laurent Beauvais of Basse-Normandie Regional Council, and we participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the memorial there.  Jane and I also placed Kentucky flags at the graves of several Kentuckians,” said Gov. Beshear.  “We walked the beach where thousands of Americans were killed fighting to liberate Europe.  This place has special meaning to every American. Being a veteran myself, it was a very emotional moment for me as taps was played to honor the dead."

Gov. Beshear is continuing his economic development trip, with meetings in Germany and France to showcase Kentucky’s business-friendly climate and strengthen existing ties with European companies already operating facilities in the Commonwealth.

The Governor and First Lady are in Normandy as part of an American delegation in support of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014, which will be held there.  The delegation will meet with economic and tourism development officials in preparation for the upcoming competition. 

More photos of the Normandy visit are available on the Governor’s Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/govbeshear/sets/72157630873659132/

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