The Bravery of the Bedford Boys

I had the amazing opportunity to visit The National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia.  This historic site observes the initial assault of the Invasion of Normandy during World War II that took place on June 6, 1944.  The Invasion of Normandy was a strategic plan of attack and establishment of Western Allied forces in France during Operation Overlord in 1944.  D-Day, the first stage of the Invasion of Normandy, is remembered as one of the most solemn days in World War II.  Over 6,600 United States soldiers were killed, wounded, went missing in action, or captured during this day alone. 

However, the bravery and sacrifice of the men who fought during D-Day was not in vain.  By June 11, 1944, the beachheads of Normandy - including Omaha, Gold, Juno, Sword, and Utah - were firmly secured.  More than 326,000 troops crossed enemy lines with over 100,000 tons of military equipment.  By August 25, 1944 Paris was liberated; less than a year later, Germany surrendered on May 8, 1945.  There is no doubt that the courage and sacrifice of thousands during D-Day helped establish the Allied forces’ stronghold over the Axis powers which quickly led to the ending of the war.

Even before making my way to Bedford, I was extremely curious as to why The National D-Day Memorial was located in a small, quiet town in central Virginia.  The United States Veteran who guided me through a tour of the memorial quickly answered my questions when he started talking about the Bedford Boys.  He explained that Bedford – as well as eleven other Virginia communities – provided a company of soldiers to the 29^th Infantry Division when the 116^th Infantry Regiment of the National Guard was first activated on February 3, 1941.  About thirty Bedford soldiers were still in this company on D-Day; several other men from Bedford were in other companies during D-Day as well.  At the end of the day on June 6^th, nineteen of the Bedford soldiers were left dead; four more men died later during the Invasion of Normandy.  My tour guide explained that, considering Bedford’s population of 3,200 at that time, the community suffered the nation’s severest D-Day losses.  Congress justified the establishment of The National D-Day Memorial in Bedford because the community represented the sacrifice and loss that was felt during D-Day.

The National D-Day Memorial is important both nationally and locally.  As previously explained, D-Day was one of the most solemn days of combat in World War II, illustrating the bravery and sacrifice of United States soldiers who fought so hard for freedom and justice.  Additionally, The National D-Day memorial is crucial to local central Virginia history because it is located in Bedford and commemorates the courage and cost that so many communities felt during this revered day.