D-Day Memorial

D-Day Memorial Sign

Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force!

You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms on other Fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world.

Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle hardened. He will fight savagely.

But this is the year 1944! Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle, man-to-man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. Our Home Fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men. The tide has turned! The free men of the world are marching together to Victory!

I have full confidence in your courage and devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full Victory!

 Good luck! And let us beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.

                                                                                               SIGNED: Dwight D. Eisenhower


On Labor Day, 2009, we rode to Bedford to the National D-Day Memorial.  

After paying the $5.00 entrance fee, we parked, moved through the Memorial and arranged to have a tour guide.  Some walked and others rode carts. One part of the Memorial is a diorama of the beach.  Sculptures and other symbols and representations of the battle are surrounded by plaques listing the names of those killed on D-Day - over 4000 troops. 

Thompson gunner


Another aspect of the Memorial is the English Garden.  Here is a sculpted raised flower bed in the shape of the battle insignia - note the inset of the actual insignia. Alongside is a statue of Eisenhower, along with busts of the Generals involved in D-Day, surrounded by plaques of information on the units that fought and the Order of the Day for D-Day. Finally, thanks to our guide, a D-Day veteran's son.  He was very passionate and generous - we enjoyed his tour!

(This description is only our brief synopsis of our visit.  Bedford VA had the most casualties per capita of any American city of the D-Day invasion.  Remembering their Valor, Fidelity and Sacrifice is the mission of the Memorial. Check out http://www.dday.org/ for additional and detailed information on the D-Day Memorial.)

garden


We had lunch at the Olde Liberty Station Restaurant in Bedford.  This was the former train station and highly recommended- worth the visit.  (It was here that Larry noted that Old Dominion Cruisers are really a lunch club - "Hey, you want to go to lunch?  Come on and bring your motorcycle...")


liberty grill

(September 20, 2009) The Olde Liberty Station Restaurant burned down this week.  In the background are workers using torches to remove old paint...  This link has details.

We gassed up then took the parkway home.  We had to roll past a couple of deer very carefully and in spite of horns and motors, these tame beasts wouldn't move.  (No pics, too busy blowing the horn and goosing the throttle.) 

We had a couple of stops, even caught Eddie in long pants. Nice ride to end a Labor Day weekend!


Labor Day Group