"Virginia Tech Cadet Anthony Madeira will become an engineer and live the life of a civilian when he graduates next year.  A back injury led him to choose that path instead of becoming a Marine.
  
"But his appreciation for those who serve in the military will not waver....He is leading the Corps of Cadets fund-raising campaign for the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford that has raised almost $40,000 in three years....

"Madeira met a few D-Day veterans at the memorial last month, when he and cadets Katie Sansbury and Lauren McNair presented this year's donation of $29,500....

" 'It's always nice to meet a vet," Madeira said.  'Talking to them is an experience.  They're both talking and not talking to you.  They're looking past you into the past,' Madeira said. His grandfather fought in World War II, and the grandfather of Madeira's fiancee is a D-Day veteran.


"Madeira has set a fund-raising goal of $100,000 next year (for the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets War Memorial Fund).  The D-Day Memorial is still $2.9 million in debt.  He wants to support other war memorials, as well: the women's memorial at Arlington National Cemetery, the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor and the World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam memorials..."

-- Dawn Baumgartner, The Roanoke Times, May 29, 2004

Local Musicians Take Visitors On A "Sentimental Journey"

With summer quickly coming to a close, the National D-Day Memorial held the last of the late night openings on Saturday, August 30.  Visitors attending the event journeyed back to the 1940s with the music of local musician Larry Mills. Rick Dellinger, also of Bedford, continued the evenings concert with selections from his new DC entitled Out of the Gray, ending the evening with a patriotic salute to America. A nice size crowd paid the event fee to come enjoy a beautiful evening and music generously performed by these local musicians. As
usual, Keith Campbell, owner and manager of WBLT provided excellent sound amplification for this memorial event.  

G.I. Jive a Success

"The National D-Day Memorial Foundation would like to thank the Center for the History and Culture of Central Virginia at Lynchburg College for sponsoring the 1st annual G.I. Jive 1940s dance to benefit the D-Day Memorial. Their time and participation made the event a rousing success.  The Foundtiton would like to extend a special thank you to all of the businesses that contributed to the silent auction, to Dee Roberts and his Orchestra for a superb evening of music, to members of the 101st Airborne Living History group, and to WDBJ7 for serving as the Media Sponsor."

-- NDMF, August 29, 2003

Marines Call On Community Golf Enthusiasts To "Fall Out" And Tee It Up

"The Marine Corps League is sponsoring the 1st annual D-Day Memorial Gold Tournament on Saturday, October 4 at London Downs Golf Club.The Lynchburg marine corps League has collected over $22,000 for the National D-Day Memorial and is arranging the golf tournament to generate more funds. Those with a love of golf and a desire to help the Memorial should are invited to particiapte."

-- The Lynchburg News and Advance, August 29, 2003

Businesses Team Up for D-Day Memorial

"Two Bedford area businessmen, Gary Howard of Benefit Solutions and Benny Dean of Dean's Plumbing, teamed up in a successful effort to raise money for the National D-Day Memorial by hosting a golf tournament, picnic and raffle at Historic Three Otters Estate on Saturday, July 12.  The event included tours of the Three Otters which is on both the National and Virginia Registers of Historic Places...

"'We were pleased and delighted with the response of busiensses all over the county in support of the Memorial...,' said Howard.  Dean added, 'We also recieved a lot of donations from private citizens who wanted to help, and shows the tremendous amount of local support for the project.'

"Funds were raised through sponsorship of tees and greens on the par 3 golf course constructed for the event, and entry fees for the tournament.  In addition, a raffle was held with prizes donated by the D-Day Memorial and other local businesses.  The event raised over $1,200."

-- The Bedford Bulletin, August 6, 2003

Thank you Bedford Kiwanis

"A special thank you goes out the Kiwanis Club of Bedford for their outstanding work during ... the June 28th Family Day event held at the National D-Day Memorial....From planting Victory Gardens to writing letters to veterans, over 500 people participated in the station activities around the Memorial. thank you Kiwanians for making Family Day a huge success."
 
-- April Cheek, NDMF Education Director, The Bedford Bulletin, July 23, 2003

American Legion to Support National D-Day Memorial

"Virginia's chapter of the American Legion will work to support the National D-Day Memorial and will encourage the national organization to do the same....The Virginia unit will ask the national organization to recognize the D-Day Memorial and solicit support from all Legion posts.  According to Butch Miller, a past American Legion national commander, there are 15,000 posts nationwide."

Butch Miller was appointed to the National D-Day Memorial's Foundation board
in June of this year.

"...He hopes to be able to expose America's veterans to the Memorial and get the word out to them about what a special place this is."

--John Barnhart, The Bedford Bulletin, July 16, 2003

Bedford High School classes of 1952 and 1953 toured the D-Day Memorial on the occasion of the 50th Reunion of the Class of 1953.  The Class President, Clifton Titus, presented a gift from the classes to Harold Huff, tour guide, in the amount of $1,500.

--Bedford Bulletin, July 16, 2003

Marines Launch Assault on D-Day Debt

"Amphibious warfare is the Marine Corps' traditional specialty, so D-Day is particularly meaningful to them.  D-Day is the military term for the date of an amphibious assualt, with H-hour referring to the actual time that troops hit the beach.

"Dan Villarial, of Bedford, is heading the Lynchburg detachment's efforts in Bedford....He can often be seen in front of Bedford's Food Lion or Winn-Dixie collecting contributions for the Memorial.  He also empties the collection boxes that have been placed in area businesses....

"According to Villarial, Phil Wood, of Rustburg, got the idea late last year.....
Wood, along with Lloyd Woodford, designed and made collection boxes that are replicas of the Memorial's Victory Arch....

"....To date the group has passed $20,000 on to the D-Day Memorial.

"...People from a Marine Corps League detachment form Maryland carried three boxes back with them, after a visit here.  A detachment from the Tidewater area, is implementing the idea there.  'We're really trying to spread this throughout the country,' Villarial said..."

-- John Barnhart, The Bedford Bulletin, July 2, 2003

Diamond Hill Baptist Church Takes Up Challenge Offering

"A few veterans from Diamond Hill Baptist Church were asked to conduct the Memorial Day Service. So they decided to send out a challenge letter to all Baptist churches in Bedford, on this day to take up an offering in behalf of the men and women in the Armed Forces, to reduce the debt of the Bedford D-Day Memorial.  In the end, Diamond Hill Baptist Church was pleased to donate $1,035 to the D-Day Memorial."

-- Fred Harris of Moneta, The Bedford Bulletin, June 11, 2003

New Covenant Schools of Bedford Raises Money for D-Day

"New Covenant Schools of Bedford presented a check for $300 to the National D-Day Foundation.  New Covenant's Parent-Teacher Fellowship raised the money by selling discount cards as a school fundraiser.  One dollar from each sale was designated for the National D-Day Memorial.  The D-Day Memorial was chosen because of the role that Bedford's veterans had in preserving freedom."

-- The Bedford Bulletin, June 4, 2003

Middle Schoolers Raise Big Penny Money

"Thumbs up to the sixth-graders at Staunton River Middle School for raising $1,200 for the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford. One of the students, Mitchell Simmons, contributed all of his Christmas money -- $115 -- to the cause.  'I did it for the men who died to give us the freedom we have today,' he said.

"Teacher Angela Myers said the total amount of the gift is about double what the school raised a year ago.  This was the third year the middle school has conducted its penny drive for the memorial, which is struggling to pay off its $3.8 million debt over the next five years.

"A group of sixth- and seventh-graders gathered at the Overloard Arch recently to present the gift to the memorial.  Jim Bryant, a D-Day veteran and memorial volunteer accepted the check, saying, 'All of our D-Day veterans would be very proud.'

"Memorial education coordinator April Cheek said other school groups have donated to the memorial, but that Saunton River Middle School is the only one that does it on an annual basis.  Perhaps other schools -- in and out of Bedford County -- could join Staunton River. Every contribution helps."

-- The Lynchburg News and Advance, May 17, 2003

Patriotic Gardeners

"About 20 members of the Blue Ridge Area Day Lily Society donated day lilies, valued between $6,000 and $9,000 from their own gardens to plant at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford on Monday.....The day lilies planted were of varieties patriotically named 'Pearl Harbor,' 'Battle Hymn,' 'The Last Man Standing,' and 'In the Navy.' "

-- The Lynchburg News and Advance, April 16, 2003

"Over 800 donated daylilies were planted at the D-Day Memorial.  Donna Bagley (was) up to her knees in plants about to be set out on the grounds of the memorial....  Chairman of the event Don Johnson....issued planting assignments of the numerous varieties to three diggers -- Jacqueline Wente, Carolyn Alley and Gary Osborne."

-- The Bedford Bulletin, April 23, 2003

Moose Raises $1,000 for D-Day

The money was raised by the Men and Women of the Moose at Johnson’s
Orchard’s Annual Farm Festival on September 2.

-- The Bedford Bulletin, December 25, 2002
 
 

“Profoundly moving...touching...was my first visit to the D-Day Memorial.
--I have met these soldiers fifty-six years earlier...

“As I was making the rounds at the Memorial in solemn thought, a strange new emotion lifted from my soul. One as of a joy of immense gratitude enveloped my being.

“I have seen the results of war, I have lived the aftermath and suffered the loss. But now, just to think, I live in this country, in Virginia, in Bedford, just four miles from the D-Day Memorial! I am in awe...

“These brave men -- thousands of them, they came, they waded, crawled and fought their way to shore that day. They, on that infamous day stamped into the sand of Normandy, with their blood, the beginning of the end. Yes, they came as victors, but with their valor they also came as liberators. They set the stage, they paved the way, they opened the door for me and my family to come to this great country.

“I shall be forever grateful.”

-- Franz X. Beisser,III, author of A Time and A Place: The Making of an Immigrant

“It’s time to pitch in and help the National D-Day Memorial; a lot of people are doing it.... It’s efforts like these that make us proud to be a member of the Bedford community, and we commend all who have tried to assist the memorial financially both in the recent past and those who will do so in the future.”

-- Editorial, The Bedford Bulletin, November 20, 2002

“There is a debt owed to the veterans of this country, and I would like to suggest a way to repay part of it.

“This Thanksgiving Day, when our families throughout this great nation are gathered together to give thanks for all our blessings, collect a donation and send it to the National D-Day Memorial Foundation.”

-- Randy Hall, Evington, Va., November 17, 2002
 
 

“Destinations Magazine, the official magazine of the American Bus Association, will feature the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford as its cover article for its November issue. This full size glossy publication is the staple monthly periodical for all tour and motor coach businesses as well as travel and tourism professionals across the nation.”

-- The Visitors Viewpoint, Bedford October 23, 2002
 
 

“‘United We Stand’ is a bumper sticker that can be seen throughout the
valley as a result of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

“We, as Americans and citizens of the Roanoke Valley, and Virginia, need to have that attitude in regards to the D-Day Memorial in Bedford. The servicemen and women who are fighting currently in Operation Enduring Freedom are ensuring our freedom that we take so for granted. A past generation of soldiers did the same in World War II.

“I challenge all residents of the valley and Virginia to stand united and support, by way of your donations, the D-Day Memorial.

“If everyone gave in honor of a soldier presently fighting or in memory of one that has fallen, the financial crisis would be over! ‘United We Stand’ until we bring honor to a memorial for which so many fought and died.”

-- Suttie Economy of Roanoke, August 14, 2002
 
 

-- Bedford Bulletin, September 25, 2002

“If we mix some perfect weather, with food and fun...you’ve got this past weekend’s Bedford Centerfest. The festival brought thousands of people to downtown Bedford to enjoy food, crafts and music. But it had a serious side to it, too. Saturday night, half of the money collected at the downtown concert, went to the D-Day Foundation.

“Diane Kidd of the D-Day Foundation said, ‘They’ve raised $8,833 dollars and that’s from three events. They’ve done a magnificent job.’”

-- ABC 13 Interact, October 1, 2002
 
 

“At least 1,000 people showed up at Bedford’s first Blues and BBQ festival at the downtown farmers' market Saturday, sending $2,500 to the National D-Day
Memorial. Bedford Main Street Inc., the city’s downtown booster organization, put on the event and booked several popular blues bands to complement the pulled pork and coleslaw and hamburgers piled on paper cartons. Half the $5 admission fee went to help the memorial, which is saddled with millions of dollars of debt.

“'The average citizen is going to save that memorial,' said Danny Johnson,
standing in front of the stand where he sold bottles of fruit wines from his Peaks of Otter Winery. ‘It ain’t going to be the millionaires.’”

-- Joshua Slocum, The News and Advance, August 12, 2002
 
 

“Thunder on the Mountain...on July 3...was a wonderful event sponsored
by Liberty University and Thomas Road Baptist church. It included an awesome reenactment of the Battle of Lynchburg, put on by men and women from all over the state. The music was wonderful and there were many fun activities geared toward children. The atmosphere was one of happiness and safety, all at no charge. It was a great opportunity to celebrate our nation’s birthday!

“I wonder if the public is aware that the only money collected that night --
aside from the food vendors -- was an offering given entirely to help pay off the debt at the National D-Day Memorial...$13,000.”

-- Monica Midkiff of Lynchburg, The News and Advance, July 19, 2002
 
 

“The gift of $200,000 was made by former State Senator Elmon T. Gray, who previously had no connection with the Memorial, but has expressed his great confidence in its value to the nation, his recognition of the desirability of restoring faith in the Foundation that operates it, and his confidence in those who lead it.

...I have been associated with many Virginia nonprofit
endeavors that have succeeded because their supporters have
taken a necessary leap of faith at a critical time. This is such
a time.

It is incumbent on the citizens and institutions of this free
country -- particularly in Virginia -- to step forward to ensure
that this Memorial is maintained as a visible and lasting symbol
of what we stand for and of the price that has been paid for the
blessings we enjoy. The story of Bedford as emblematic of the extraordinary service of the American citizen-soldier sums up
everything that is great about this country.”

-- Overlord Report, Issue 11, Summer 2002
 

“On a hot, humid July 4 evening, over 1,500 people from throughout central and southwestern Virginia converged on the Bedford Farmers' Market in Centertown to party at the first annual LibertyFest celebration hosted by Bedford Main Street, Inc.

“The Worx, a rock and roll band from Roanoke, entertained the crowd throughout the evening, only breaking for a fireworks display launched from Burks Hill, site of the National D-Day Memorial, half a mile away.

“Before the end of the night, Scott Smith, executive director of Bedford Main Street, announced to the crowd that they, by purchasing admission, had helped raise over $3,000 for the National D-day Memorial Foundation (half of the $4 adult ticket price was dedicated to the D-Day Memorial).

“Bedford Main Street, Inc. thanks LibertyFest sponsors Atlantic Bay Mortgage, WYYD, WROV, and Magic FM, also to Budweiser, Peaks of Otter Winery, the Bedford Area chamber of Commerce, SOBer marketing, WBLT 1350 AM, and all the volunteers who helped make LibertyFest a success.”

-- The Bedford Bulletin, July 10, 2002
 
 

“Recently while visiting the VFW Post 8529 in Sandston, I mentioned that I had read an article that proposed that everybody send in one dollar to help.  I was surprised that the small number of members present that day contributed $81. I am therefore forwarding this check from them.

“The spontaneity which the group demonstrated that day made me think that the same thing would happen in many of the veterans organizations throughout the country. If the Foundation could contact the national offices of the VFW and the American Legion informing them of the need and ask for support, I feel that it would result in a considerable sum.”

-- Beulah Furgurson of Williamsburg, The Bedford Bulletin, June 26, 2002
 
 

“Danny Johnson, owner of Johnson’s Orchard, the Peaks of Otter Winery and the Little Apple Market, all located in Thaxton off U.S. 460 West, has printed up 50,000 coupons, called D-Day dollars, that are good for a dollar off a bushel of fruit or a bottle of wine.

“Johnson said Friday that he will donate $1 to the D-Day Foundation for every D-Day dollar he receives. ‘What we wanted to do was create a positive attitude, and show that businesses were behind raising the money,’ Johnson said.

“Most people want to help the D-Day Memorial, but do not realize that even one dollar makes a difference.”

-- Jay Conley, The Roanoke Times, June 17, 2002
 
 

“Bedford Mayor G. Michael Shelton signed a proclamation urging support for the Dollars for D-Day program, spearheaded by Rev. Jeff Clemons. Dollars for D-Day seeks to retire the National D-Day Foundation’s debt, and raise money for the National D-Day Memorial’s Education Center, by soliciting a large volume of small donations. Contributions may be sent to The National D-Day Memorial Foundation, P.O. Box 77, Bedford, VA 24523.”

-- The Bedford Bulletin, June 5, 2002

Dollar for D-Day is a Great Idea

“The efforts of Rev. Jeff Clemons, by encouraging the children of the Bedford community and the nation to contribute a dollar to the Memorial, should be applauded. It is grass root efforts such as this on the part of local citizens that gave birth to the idea to memorialize those who fought on D-Day and it is with the same shared energy that it hopefully will continue to grow. This action typifies the founding spirit and generosity of those who started the memorial in the first place.”

-- Marie Batten of Bedford, The Bedford Bulletin, April 10, 2002
 
 

“Charleton W. Sykes, presents a check for $2,000, to Bill McIntosh, executive director of the National D-Day Foundation. The money was raised by Sykes’ 25-member American Legion Post in Boykins, Virginia. She also presented McIntosh with $300 contributed by four citizens in her town. A member of the Southampton County Board of Supervisors, Sykes served in the Navy WAVES during WWII.”

-- The Bedford Bulletin, March 6, 2002

Those who are honored by the D-Day Memorial were citizen-soldiers. You and/or your organization is invited to honor these heroes with your financial support of the National D-Day Memorial. We hope that these examples will spark your imagination and inspire the expression of your gratitude. Please contact the National D-Day Memorial Foundation with your support. Thank you. (P.S. If your support is the result of a fundraiser, why not send a news clipping of the event along with your check.)