2009 Memorial Celebration in Bedford, Virginia

In Bedford, Virginia there will be two different Memorial Day celebrations happening for guests wishing to attend and pay tribute to the soldiers who lost their lives in service for this country.

Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day because it was a time that had been set aside to honor and decorate the graves of the soldiers who had lost their lives in the civil war but after World War I it was changed to include American casualties of any war or military action.

Many Americans observe this day by visiting cemeteries and memorials. A lot of families observe Memorial Day by getting together for picnics or barbecues. The Indianapolis 500 has the longest running Memorial Day tradition in that it has been held in conjunction with this day since 1911.

In Bedford Virginia they hold their Memorial day services at the National D-Day Memorial. Bedford was chosen as the home for the D-Day Memorial because their area experienced the largest loss of soldiers' lives in the war off the Normandy coast on June 5th, 1944. Of the approximately 30 men who joined the 24th infantry, 21 of those never returned home.

This year Bedford will begin their ceremonies with the "Moonlight Serenade" on Saturday May 23. The ceremony will begin at 7 pm with local performers, including Keith Campbell, kicking off the show. Then from 8 pm to 9 pm, the Jefferson Chorale Society will perform music from the 1940's followed by a variety of patriotic tunes. Regular admission fees will apply. These fees are $5 for adults, $3 for children 6 to16 and children under 6 are free. These fees go toward the operation and security of the site. Be sure to bring your lawn chairs!

The second ceremony is the "Remember Their Sacrifice" being held on Monday May 25th. It begins at 10 am and will run until noon. There is no charge for this event. There will be music, speakers, a presentation by the Masons of the Grand Lodge of Virginia and much more. At 11 am there will be a wreath-laying ceremony to pay tribute to those who have lost their lives.

The National D-Day Memorial is located at 3 Overlord Circle in Bedford Virginia. For more information or any questions you may have, please check out their website www.dday.org or call 540-586-3329.

Sources:
www.dday.org
http://en.wikipedia.org