Defense Spending Bill Includes Federal Study of Bedford D-Day Memorial at Urging of Webb, Warner

Senate Votes 87-7 to Approve FY2010 National Defense Authorization Act

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Jim Webb and Mark R. Warner announced that the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 approved by the Senate on an 87-7 vote Thursday includes language that directs the U.S. Department of the Interior to study the feasibility of adding the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford to the list of monuments and historic sites owned and operated by the U.S. Park Service.  The provision was introduced by Senator Warner and co-sponsored by Senator Webb.  The two Virginia senators had introduced similar, stand-alone legislation June 8. 

The non-profit National D-Day Memorial Foundation recently announced that it does not have enough money to sustain operations through the end of the year. Congress designated Bedford as the site of the nation’s National D-Day Memorial in 1996 in recognition of the 19 Virginia Army National Guard members from Bedford who died in the first wave that landed on Omaha Beach June 6, 1944.  With a 1944 population of 3,200 people, Bedford is believed to have suffered the highest per-capita loss of life of any American community on D-Day. 

“As one who grew up in the military, was privileged to serve, and who remains proud of the service of my son and my son-in-law, I share the commitment of stewardship felt by so many in Bedford for the sacrifices made on D-Day,” said Senator Webb. “I am pleased that a study will now be conducted to put the National D-Day Memorial—an important part of both Virginia and our nation’s cultural history—on track to be a part of the U.S. National Park System.”

“I am grateful to the Senate leadership for allowing us to add this amendment to the defense bill and for recognizing that Park Service stewardship of the D-Day Memorial could ensure that Bedford's sacrifice continues to occupy a permanent and prominent place in the story of America,” Senator Warner said. “I believe it is appropriate that our efforts to preserve the Bedford D-Day Memorial are part of significant bipartisan legislation that also ensures that today's military men and women -- and their families -- get the additional support that they need and deserve.” 

The defense spending bill, which authorizes $130 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan during the fiscal year that that begins October 1, also provides financial and logistical support to thousands of military families throughout Virginia. It includes a much deserved pay raise, upgrades to equipment and weapons, and improvements to health care when veterans return home.

The D-Day Memorial was dedicated June 6, 2001, by President George W. Bush.  Since then, the Memorial has attracted more than one-million visitors – 50 percent of whom visit from out of state – and more than 10,000 students participate in the Memorial’s educational programs each year.