Remember to remember - The Longest Day

On June 6, 1944, more than 160,000 Allied troops landed along a 50-mile stretch of heavily-fortified French coastline, to fight Nazi Germany on the beaches of Normandy, France. Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower called the operation a crusade in which, “we will accept nothing less than full victory.” More than 5,000 Ships and 13,000 aircraft supported the D-Day invasion, and by day’s end, the Allies gained a foot-hold in Continental Europe. The cost in lives on D-Day was high. More than 9,000 Allied Soldiers were killed or wounded, but their sacrifice allowed more than 100,000 Soldiers to begin the slow, hard slog across Europe, to defeat Adolf Hitler’s crack troops.

I had the great fortune of being one of the construction workers who built the National D Day Memorial in Bedford Virgina.

If you get the chance, please go visit.

Enter from the far side of the car entrance.
If as originally constructed, you will walk through an English garden which contains a bust of Ike and other military and political figures.
At various places were plaques for many of the US divisions that took part in the invasion.

Walk up a short set of steps to the 2nd level to a large open area.
When the sun is just right, the concrete surface seems to shimmer like water.
To the far left and right are temporary exhibits. The last time I was there they were a naval anchor and a small observation air plane.

Continue ahead and reach the pool.
There is piping beneath, emitting bursts of air simulating gunfire hitting the water.
On the far side of the pool are figures of soldiers lying on the beach.
Beyond them are the cliffs, a rope ladder leading to the top with soldiers climbing.

Climb the steps to either side, at the center of the cliffs is a soldiers grave: a rifle, bayonet stuck into the ground with a helmet on top and dog tags attached.

Arranged in a semi-circle around the top are the flags of every nation that contributed men or material to the invasion effort.

The memorial was built in middle of nowhere Bedford, Virginia because, as a percentage of population, no city, town or county lost as many sons, husbands and fathers as did Bedford.
Half a generation lost in the space of one day.

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