Tribute to The White House Commission on Remembrance and the "Sands of Remembrance" Memorial At Normandy Beach
TRIBUTE TO THE WHITE HOUSE COMMISSION ON REMEMBRANCE AND THE "SANDS OF REMEMBRANCE" MEMORIAL AT NORMANDY BEACH -- (Extensions of Remarks - July 08, 2004)
SPEECH OF HON. PETE SESSIONS OF TEXAS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
THURSDAY, JULY 8, 2004
Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the White House Commission on Remembrance and the Sands of Remembrance Memorial constructed this past Memorial Day at Normandy beach during the 60th anniversary of D-Day.
The White House Commission on Remembrance was established by Congress (PL 106-579) in 2000 and is an independent government agency honoring America's fallen, recognizing our men and women who have served our nation, and recognizing the veterans who have made the ultimate sacrifice as well as those who continue to serve our country.
The Commission also promotes the values of Memorial Day throughout the year.
In 2002, Carmella LaSpada, the Director of the White House Commission on Remembrance and sand sculptors John Gowdy (American), and Dale Murdock (Canadian) discussed an idea: to create, from the very sand on which blood was shed for freedom, a life-size and historically accurate sand sculpture on the Normandy Beach to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of D-Day. Thus, the "Sands of Remembrance" was born.
So from May 25 through May 29 a team of award-winning sand sculptors from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom began an effort to create one of the most memorable and beautiful artistic memorials dedicated to one of the most heroic events in our history. To honor D-Day's fallen heroes in a symbolic and tangible way, this sand sculpture was an act of remembrance. This sculpted sand served as a touching and unique reminder of the sacrifices made for freedom to those who visited the memorial.
The team of award-winning sand sculptors created a 30 x 30 life-size sand sculpture of the D-Day landing
commemorating the 60th Anniversary of that historic event. Dear Abby and Home Box Office (HBO) partnered with the White House Commission on Remembrance for the "Sands of Remembrance" memorial, initiated by the Commission.
Some of the reactions of those who witnessed the sculpture were:
"It brought tears to my eyes."
"So inspiring."
"It makes you feel gratitude."
"It makes you think."
"Spectacular!"
"Superb!"
"Stupendous!"
"Awesome!"
"Astonishing!"
"Incredible!"
"I've never seen anything like it!"
"Magnificent."
"Marvelous."
"How could this have been done? It's unbelievable."
"What a tribute!"
"It's so personal and emotional."
"It touches the mind and the heart."
"No other commemoration for those who died has so much meaning."
"I feel the presence of those who died."
For the sculpture, fifty tons of sand from the five landing beaches: Gold, Juno, Omaha, Sword, and Utah, depicted
soldiers landing on the Normandy Beaches.
For the first time in history sand sculptors John Gowdy and Matthew Deibert (United States); Mark Anderson and
Edward Dudley (United Kingdom); and Dale Murdock (Canada) created a historically accurate sand sculpture. These
sculptors worked for six days, putting in approximately 10 hours each day to create the sculpture. Throngs of thousands
from many countries viewed the sculpture as they attended ceremonies marking the 60th Anniversary of D-Day. Of the
international community of visitors that visited the "Sands of Remembrance", a Russian woman said emotionally, "It
brought tears to my eyes."
The sand sculpture, located in Vierville-sur-Mer on Omaha Beach in Normandy, France, was dedicated on May 30 and
remained on exhibit through June 8.
I want to thank the White House Commission on Remembrance, the sculptors who made the Sands of Remembrance a
reality, and of course, the men and women who made freedom a reality on the shores of Normandy 60 years ago.