Thousands of young men made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom on June 6, 1944. More than 9,000 Allied soldiers were killed or wounded on that day, allowing over 100,000 soldiers to continue inland to bring an end to Nazi rule in Europe. For this year’s 75th anniversary of D-Day, the world will come together to mark this important day in history. There aren’t enough words or opportunities to express gratitude for what those military service members did to save even more lives from being lost.

Less than half a million of the 16 million Americans who served during World War II are still alive, and sadly we’re rapidly losing them. So it’s incredibly important that we find ways to honor this Greatest Generation whenever we can.

In the past, I have had the honor of attending D-Day memorial events in France. It is so moving to be there in person and to have the opportunity to personally thank the veterans who make the long trip to Normandy for these events. Unfortunately I can’t be there this year, but there are many ways that we all can honor the men and women who served during World War II – on this day and every day.

One way we can show gratitude is by continuing to support military families and veterans. I support a variety of organizations including Dog Tag Inc. and Blue Star Families, among others, and I encourage you to find an organization to support that raises awareness and provides ongoing support to those who continue to make a personal sacrifice for our country. We need to ensure that they have the support and care they need while they are serving and that they are equipped for life after they are done with active military service. We can never do too much to raise awareness about veterans’ issues.

It is heartwarming to hear about all of the ceremonies that are planned for this week in France and around the world. No matter where you are, I hope you’ll take a few minutes to join me in a moment of silence and remembrance on Thursday.