D-Day Memorial

The National D-Day Memorial is a war memorial located in Bedford, Virginia. It serves as the national memorial for American D-Day veterans. However, its scope is international in that it states, "In Tribute to the valor, fidelity and sacrifice of Allied Forces on D-Day, June 6, 1944" and commends all Allied Armed Forces during the D-Day invasion of Normandy, France on June 6, 1944 during World War II. The memorial borders the Blue Ridge Mountains in southwestern Virginia with an area of over 50 acres (200,000 m2) that overlooks the town of Bedford. It officially opened on June 6, 2001 with 15,000 people present, including President George W. Bush. About 60,000 people visit the memorial each year, with more than half from outside of Virginia.