The National D-Day Memorial in Bedford,Virginia may be one of the best kept secrets ever. I found it by accident and visited it over the weekend. It is in Bedford, a small town which had 19 of 30 men serving in the Army killed on the beaches of France on D-Day.

If you ever get the chance it is definately worth visiting or you can get a look at it at dday.org

Never made it to this one myself, but I have heard many folks say the same thing.  If/when I am in the area I will have to make it over that way.  I have been fortunate enough (during my Army years) to be able to take part in the 60th Anniversary of D-day Memorial in Normandy, France.  That was an amazing experience to say the least.  This year on June 6th I just happened to be in D.C. for work and was able to make it out to the WWII memorial there.  

I understand why they put the memorial there but I think it was a poor decision. Putting it in the corner of Virginia (the least populated corner) really limits how many visitors they can get.

I understand why they put the memorial there but I think it was a poor decision. Putting it in the corner of Virginia (the least populated corner) really limits how many visitors they can get.

I'm not sure where you are reffering to Dan.  Bedford is nearly centrally located in VA not really in any corner.   Although I do agree that I believe it would have seen alot more visitor traffic if it were located in the Norfolk or Arlington areas.   But it had to be somwhere and why not give a boost to a small community.

I understand why they put the memorial there but I think it was a poor decision. Putting it in the corner of Virginia (the least populated corner) really limits how many visitors they can get.

Very easily accessible for everyone. Take exit 150A from I-81, drive till you reach 460, make a left and drive to Bedford. 45 minutes from the interstate.

That said, Bedford is hardly in the 'corner' of the state.

The company I work for has a distribution center in Lynchburg, VA and on a visit to there a couple years ago we did a small company-sponsored outing to Bedford to see the memorial.  It's a very moving experience, as is the WWII memorial in DC.

And it may be closing, due to lack of funds and donations to keep it open.  Heard that on the news just this week.

And it may be closing, due to lack of funds and donations to keep it open. Heard that on the news just this week.

Heck, they've been having money issues since it opened. I believe the original founders and planners just about embezzled the place under before it even got started.

I understand why they put the memorial there but I think it was a poor decision. Putting it in the corner of Virginia (the least populated corner) really limits how many visitors they can get.

Very easily accessible for everyone. Take exit 150A from I-81, drive till you reach 460, make a left and drive to Bedford. 45 minutes from the interstate.

That said, Bedford is hardly in the 'corner' of the state.

sure, it's very accessible if you're on I-81, but how many times are truckers going to stop to visit?  ;D

I know Bedford really isn't the "corner" of the state, but population density-wise it's pretty far out there. Plus, how many tourists go out that way? I know people probably stop as they are on their way to other places but it could have much more traffic if they put it near a touristy place like DC. Think of all the tourists that already go there for all the other monuments. DC visitors could just add it to their "places to see" list while they are in the area.