“I wouldn’t have been anywhere else today,” said Sgt. I was just amazed by who I was accompanying and what he must have gone through and just wondering what he was thinking in that moment. “It really hit me, seeing him look out over the beachhead monuments. Michael Wilcox, who escorted D-Day veteran Ubert McConnell. “Today was a pretty huge honor walking him over the memorial bridge,” said Sgt. They described the chance to interact with members of the greatest generation as an incredible opportunity. The magnitude of the event was not lost on the VNG service members serving as escorts for the World War II heroes. That set the stage for the roll call of all World War II veterans in attendance as VNG Soldiers and Airmen, as well as participants from other branches of the Armed Forces, escorted the day’s honorees across the stage to receive thanks and a special memorial coin. Recognizing that Bedford represented both large and small communities whose citizen-Soldiers served on D-Day, Congress warranted the establishment of the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford.įollowing the keynote speeches, government officials, community leaders and senior military members, including Flora and Scott, presented historical readings of writings and oral histories by World War II-era veterans and leaders. They will forever be remembered to history as the Bedford Boys.” “They were hometown folk who became national heroes. “Forty-four boys who had never strayed far from home mustered out for England, and some, for eternity,” said Pence. Bedford’s population in 1944 was about 3,200, and proportionally the Bedford community suffered the nation’s most severe D-Day losses. During the assault on Omaha Beach, 19 of the “Bedford Boys” of Company A died. 3, 1941, Virginia communities provided Soldiers to serve in the unit, and Bedford provided Soldiers to serve in Company A, 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division. When the 116th Infantry was activated Feb. They gave it all up so the rest of the world can be free.” “They gave up the chance to be husbands, father, grandfathers, teachers, pastors. “On that day in 1944 they gave up two lives: The one on the beach, and the one they would have led had they come back,” said Wilkie. The 29th ID’s 116th Infantry Regiment was in the first assault wave to hit the beaches and more than 800 members of the 116th were were killed, wounded or missing during the assault on Omaha Beach. “It’s so important that this memorial is here in Bedford, a town that sacrificed so much on this day,” said Warner. Senator Mark Warner addressed the massive crowd, calling attention to the sacrifices made by the D-Day veterans and the freedoms they fought for. After the aerial display, Vice President Mike Pence, Robert Wilkie, U.S. The program began with a fly-over from a series of World War II-era aircraft. Steele McGonegal, commander of the 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. Preston Scott, 29th Infantry Division chief of staff, and Lt. Lapthe Flora, VNG Assistant Adjutant General-Army, Col. 110 commending the 29th Infantry Division toBrig. More than 100 World War II veterans, including more than 40 who participated in the invasion of Normandy June 6, 1944, were in attendance among the thousands of service members, veterans and citizens who came to the Memorial for the event.īefore the ceremony began, Virginia Senator Bryce Reeves presented Virginia Senate Resolution No. Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen greeted World War II veterans and acted as military escorts during a roll call honoring their service at the observation of the 75th anniversary of D-Day June 6, 2019, at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia. Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Troutville-based 29th Infantry Division Band performed ceremonial music, and members of the Virginia Defense Force volunteered their time to assist local law enforcement with traffic flow, parking and pre-security checks before the event. (You can read more of her story here: ) Bien sur, like you, we are grateful to ALL the Allied forces who liberated France, and have many articles on the subject if you'd like to read further.BEDFORD, Va. Diane Covington-Carter covered the events as the daughter of an American D-Day veteran, hence bringing a particular perspective. Thank you so much for reading France Today and taking the time to comment.
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