One of these days, I hope to make it up to Bedford on June 6. I’d love to go to the National D-Day Memorial to pay respects to the brave individuals who stormed the beaches of Normandy, France, during Operation Overlord. I’ve heard that oftentimes, there are several World War II veterans who attend the memorial’s special ceremony on D-Day who were on the shores as the Battle of Normandy commenced.
There’s a special—albeit tragic—reason the commemoration takes place in the small mountain community, and we’ve got the details behind the national memorial’s origins highlighted in today’s lead story. Thank you to those who have served and those who are actively serving in our military; I’m so glad you’re here.
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A group of photos are on display at the Bedford Boys Tribute Center museum in Bedford, Va., Monday, May 6, 2019. (Steve Helber)
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By Amie Knowles
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.
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.
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Kody (from left), Colton, and Amie Knowles enjoy a new experience at KPOT in Roanoke. (Amie Knowles/Dogwood)
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By Amie Knowles
A couple of weekends ago, my husband, our son, and I drove to Roanoke to spend an afternoon. From our house, it’s only about an hour and a half, so it’s a great spot to go for something a little different than Family Dollar (aka, our local landmark). We’d planned a simple country meal at a gas station we love on our way back home, but curiosity got the best of us when we saw a restaurant we’d never heard of before—KPOT.
KPOT is a Korean barbecue and hot pot restaurant, and unlike anywhere else we’ve ever eaten, you cook your meal right at the table. The concept intrigued us, and we were hungry, so we figured, why not give it a try?
The experience was … interesting. And honestly, I think I’ll enjoy it even more the second time around because there was a lot to take in on the first visit. First, you use a tablet to order your broth and any ingredients you want to add. The inclusions arrive straight to your table, and you share the various toppings among your group. There’s also a sauce bar where you can make your own flavorful combination before cooking it all together.
I can’t overstate enough just how delicious the food was, but I found the overall price steep for a soup I cooked myself (maybe you feel differently—for reference and transparency, our all-you-can-eat meal came out to about $40 per adult after sodas). Next time, we’ll know more of what to expect, and I’m excited about that. And yes, there will be a “next time”—we just need to wait until we financially recover from the first one.
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Earlier this week, we asked a controversial question. Which Virginia food do you think is secretly terrible, but others pretend to love?
The clear answer was “peanut pie.” However, Patricia N. took it a step further, writing, “Peanut soup and pimento cheese. Ick.”
Patricia, we can agree on the peanut soup. But if you’re not eating your portion of pimento cheese, could you send it this way, please?
It’s not too late to weigh in. Write to me anytime to get in on the conversation.
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Workers at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Richmond are fighting for better pay. (Courtesy of IAM Union)
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By Michael O’Connor
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden workers are ready to strike as tensions escalate with the Richmond nonprofit’s management over a first union contract that has been more than a year in the making.
Workers voted Wednesday to authorize their union to call a strike if needed amidst contentious contract negotiations for roughly 60 employees at the Richmond landmark. The union declined to share the vote breakdown, but said the measure was approved by 95%.
The strike authorization vote does not mean workers will go on strike—just that they are ready to do so. It comes after weeks of informational picketing to raise awareness about their wage demands and pressure management.
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🌈 It’s Pride Month, Virginia! Whether you want chances to show your support for your LGBTQIA+ community or if you’re looking for your regularly scheduled engagement opportunities, we have upcoming civic opportunities for you to explore. (Read more)
📈 With a new firearms law set to take effect July 1, background checks have more than doubled from a year ago. The number? Nearly 73,000 firearm background checks in May alone. (See post)
📍 June is an opportunity for the LGBTQIA+ community and their allies to come together to increase awareness and (most importantly) celebrate. We’ve rounded up 17 events Virginians should consider attending—just don’t forget your rainbow attire. (Read more)
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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Amie Knowles. Amie is a lifelong Virginia resident and mom to a fantastic 8-year-old who loves Pokémon. This edition includes stories from Michael O’Connor, Ava Edwards, Dominique Diggs, and Aila Boyd. It was edited by Paula Solis.
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