BEDFORD, Va. (WDBJ) – If you were to visit the National D-Day Memorial today, you would see a large object covered in a brown tarp that houses thousands of stories from World War II.
It is one of several new attractions being built as part of an expansion of the D-Day Memorial that National D-Day Memorial Foundation President and CEO April Cheek-Messier calls “Phase One.”
“The memorial itself is a beautiful monument that tells the story of D-Day, but we also recognize that over time we need to look for new and different ways to bring the history of D-Day and World War II closer to our visitors,” said Cheek-Messier.
Beneath the tarp is the Higgins boat, one of the few remaining boats in the world. It is one of many World War II artifacts that will be brought to the National Monument in Phase One.
An amphitheater called “Robins Amphitheater” will be built for the memorial for gatherings and military concerts, and a new 1940’s era motor pool called the “John and Doris Fowler Family Motor Pool” will house all of the unique artifacts the memorial has to offer.
“The more unique artifacts we can show visitors, the more opportunities we have to keep coming back and see all these new additions. I think that means we continue to tell the stories of our veterans,” Cheek-Messier said.
This expansion is more than just a physical addition, it is a way to ensure that the stories of veterans who have come and gone, as well as those still with us, continue to be remembered.
“We want them to know that this is the legacy you are leaving behind and that we will make sure your story continues to be told long after you are gone,” Cheek-Messier said.
These stories will live on through the memorial and be preserved for the next generation.
“The more we add to this beautiful site, the more we can share these stories in unique and different ways and the more we know that these lessons will be passed on to the next generation so they can pass them on to their children and grandchildren,” Cheek-Messier said.
Cheek-Messier hopes the first phase will be completed in five years. The second phase will create a new reception and education center for the memorial.
These projects are funded by donations to the memorial. Anyone who would like to contribute to the expansion can do so at DDay.org to honor some of our nation’s heroes.
You can read more about the future expansion project here.
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