D-Day, 6 June 1944, was one of the most pivotal battles in World War II, where Allied Forces invaded the French coastline to push German soldiers out of Western Europe, which ultimately resulted in an end to the war. D-Day was authorised by Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Forces was General Dwight D. Eisenhower, who was later to become the 34th President of the United States of America.

The significance of this battle to the United States’ military legacy is often not recognised by Europeans, but it is considered to be one of the most important battles in American history. This is why the town of Bedford, Virginia, will mark the 70th anniversary of D-Day (6 June 2014) with a day of remembrance at the National D-Day Memorial. The ceremony will include an honour guard, interactive veteran’s history stations, a reunion tent, USO show, guest speakers and more. www.dday.org/70th-anniversary-events

Like 11 other Virginia communities, Bedford provided a company of soldiers (Company A) to the 29th Infantry Division when the National Guard’s 116th Infantry Regiment was activated to 3 February 1941.  The town of Bedford suffered more loses, per capita , on D-Day than any other locality in the United States and was chosen as the site of the National Memorial as emblematic of all U.S. communities, large and small, whose citizen-soldiers served on D-Day. 21 soldiers from Bedford lost their lives during D-Day, and with a population of only 3,200, the loss had a particularly strong impact on the community.

The National D-Day Memorial was opened by President George W. Bush on 6 June 2001 and today receives approximately 75,000 visitors a years. The idea for the memorial was initiated by D-Day veteran J. Robert ‘Bob’ Slaughter and the monuments now covers 88 acres at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, standing over forty four foot tall. The main feature of the monument is the poignant reflecting pool which surrounds a scene symbolic of the beaches of Normandy, France.

Purely Capital Region USA Package

Purely Capital Region is offering a seven night package to Virginia over the 70th anniversary of D-Day, from £995 per person, based on two people sharing. The package includes, return flights with British Airways from London Heathrow to Washington, departing on 2 June 2014 and returning 9 June 2014, seven nights in hotels (two in Washington, DC at the Capitol Skyline Hotel, one night at the Skyland Resort in the Shenandoah Valley, two nights at the Best Western Inn in Roanoke, which is just a 30 minute drive to Bedford, and two nights in Williamsburg), and economy four door car hire including all taxes, insurances, unlimited mileage and full driving directions.  To book call Purely Capital Region USA on 0844 80 444 80, e-mail reservations@purelycapitalregionusa.co.uk or visit www.purelycapitalregionusa.com.

For more information on the National D-Day Memorial, visit www.dday.org/70th-anniversary-events

For more information on Bedford, visit www.visitbedford.com

To find out more about Virginia and the Capital Region USA, visit www.CapitalRegionUSA.co.uk

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