Bedford’s lasting legacy: How a small Virginia town became the heart of D-Day remembrance

In a country filled with grand monuments, a quiet corner of Virginia keeps the human cost of war vividly alive.

When many Americans think of D-Day, their minds leap to the beaches of Normandy, France—where Allies stormed ashore on June 6, 1944. 

The invasion launched Operation Overlord, the 12-week Battle of Normandy, which effectively turned the tide of World War II. But for one small town nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, the impact of that day reverberated far beyond the battlefield.

Bedford, Virginia—current population 7,800—might seem an unlikely place for a national memorial. Yet, situated just 30 miles west of Lynchburg, the National D-Day Memorial stands as a solemn tribute to the town’s tragic distinction: Proportionally, no American community suffered a greater loss on D-Day than Bedford.

In 1944, Bedford’s population was around 3,200. Among them were between 30 and 35 young men who answered the call to serve—many as part of Company A, 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Division. These were the “Bedford Boys.” A staggering 19 of them were killed during the D-Day invasion, with four more dying later during the Normandy campaign. For a town of its size, the toll was devastating.

For survivors like Ray Nance, a Bedford native who sustained injuries during the assault, the ability to return home became an opportunity to honor those lost. 

After the war, Nance became a farmer and rural mail carrier—and also became an active voice in the community, remembering the sacrifices of his fallen comrades. In 1954, he helped organize the 10th anniversary commemoration of D-Day in Bedford. Decades later, he stood once again in their memory at the dedication of the National D-Day Memorial in 2000.

When Nance passed away in 2009 at the age of 94, he was the last surviving Bedford Boy. At his funeral procession, Nance paid one final visit to the national memorial en route to interment, complete with a military honor guard.

Each year, about 60,000 guests visit the memorial, learning the history of Operation Overlord and paying respect to those who fought in the battle. 

Today, we honor the Bedford Boys and all who fought and fell during the D-Day invasion. Their stories of bravery and sacrifice remain forever etched into the soul of the small mountain community—and beyond.