Press Release For Immediate Release June 2, 2009

Media Contacts: U.S. Contact

Jody Couser pressofficer@democratsabroad.org

D-Day Events

Anna Marie Mattson ammattson@wanadoo.fr 06 14 16 15 16

Democrats Abroad to Participate in President Obama’s Visit to Normandy

Paris - Democrats Abroad will be attending the ceremony marking the 65th anniversary of D-Day at the American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer on June 6, 2009. Members of Democrats Abroad will be traveling across France and Europe to honor the memory of those who sacrificed their lives, joining U.S. President Barack Obama.

On June 5th at 4 pm, the day before the official ceremony, Democrats Abroad members including John Morris and Beresford Hayword will be placing a wreath in remembrance of the fallen. John Morris was just recently awarded the French Legion d'Honneur Medal. Morris was the photo editor in the London office of Life magazine and was responsible for getting Robert Capa's pictures of the D-Day landing on Omaha Beach to print. Beresford Hayward trained radio operators in the Army Air Corps.

"President Obama’s visit to Normandy on this historic anniversary is symbolic of his intention to honor the sacrifices made by our men and women in uniform, both in the past and today,” said Christine Schon Marques, International Chair of Democrats Abroad. “The President has already come a long way in restoring the United State’s image abroad and sending the message that Americans are once again ready to work with the international community on heroic efforts required by our time and bring about lasting change,” said Meredith Gowan Le Goff, Chair of Democrats Abroad France.

After the official ceremony, Democrats Abroad will regroup in Bayeux and participate in the public picnic organized by the town at the Place Charles de Gaulle. Weather permitting, the group will gather for photos on some of the picturesque bridges found in the old city of Bayeux.

www.democratsabroad.org Democrats Abroad is the official overseas branch of the U.S. Democratic Party. With members in more than 160 countries around the globe, Democrats Abroad holds eight positions on the Democratic National Committee and sends a voting delegation to the Democratic National Convention to select our presidential candidate.

Read more here President Obama's visit to the 65th anniversary D-Day celebrations in Normandy