Picture of the day - April 25, 2008

The National D-Day Memorial - Bedford, Virginia

Photo courtesy of Glen and Tonnie Rouse. My brother Glen and sister-in-law Tonnie recently had an opportunity to visit one of our nation's most moving war memorials, the National D-Day Memorial in beautiful Bedford, Virginia. Today's picture is just one of the many touching images they brought home with them. On June 6, 1944 (D-Day), Allied forces mounted a massive attack on the beaches and rocky cliffs of Normandy, France, and after the largest and bloodiest seaborne invasion ever mounted our ground troops had finally gained an all-important foothold on the European continent. Thanks to the hundreds of thousands of brave men who struggled ashore through a relentless hail of bullets and countless mines, it was now just a matter of time before Adolph Hitler's evil regime would come to an end. Although thousands of brave American fighting men died along with their Allied brothers in arms on that solemn day, the tiny town of Bedford, Virginia lost a greater proportion of their own than any other community in the nation - 19 out of a population of just 3,200 - and 3 more of their finest would die just a few days later in the campaign. Therefore it is quite fitting that the Memorial to honor those who fought and died in what has become recognized as the most important battle of WWII was erected in this sleepy little town that rests in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the hearts and minds of a grateful nation.   Click here to comment on this picture.   Visit the POTD Archives for previous "Pictures Of The Day"!     Submit a photo of your own!                                 Place the "Picture of the Day" on your website, for free! Why I publish the "Picture of the Day"