National D-Day Memorial

The National D-Day Memorial commemorates the bravery, determination, and stamina of the men who fought during the WWII invasion. Here, you'll learn about those who fought and perished during this pivotal invasion that altered the course of history.

A visit here is a fantastic way for you and your family to immerse yourself in history. The experience will go beyond simply reading books or watching documentaries.

The National D-Day Memorial spreads over 50 acres. It consists of three different “plazas,’ which represent different stages of the invasion. When you go, you’ll want to tour them in order, because they are based on the invasion's timeline.

Start at Plaza One, also known as Reynolds Garden. Here, you learn about the pre-planning that went into the invasion, which was extensive. The plaza is shaped in the same way as the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force combat patch.

Next, proceed to Plaza Two, also known as the Gray Plaza. This stage represents the landing and fighting stage. There’s a conceptual water area, with sculptures of fighting GIs and a model of the Higgins Craft that transported the soldiers. There are even sporadic spurts of water that represent the shots of gunfire from shore that our veterans endured.

In Estes Plaza, the victory of the invasion is represented with the awe-inspiring, 44-foot-tall Overlord Arch, named for the actual name of the operation. You’ll see 12 flags flying, representing the 12 Allied nations that comprise the Allied Expeditionary Force.

Whether or not you have any direct connection with the GIs who fought this battle, the National D-Day Memorial is a must-see destination on your Smith Mountain Lake getaway.

National D-Day Memorial: Fun Facts & Cool Features

June 6, 1944, holds significant importance in the battle against the Nazis during World War II. Known around the world as D-Day, it was when Allied forces from three different nations converged on the fortified beaches of Normandy. There were heavy casualties, but by the end of August 1944, northern France had been liberated from German forces.

The memorial took over seven years to plan and construct, with funding exceeding $25 million. Interestingly, a large donation of a million dollars was provided by cartoonist Charles Schultz, who created the famous “Peanuts” cartoon series.

The actual location of the National D-Day Memorial is significant, too. A total of 34 Virginia National Guardsmen from Bedford participated in D-Day. Known as the Bedford Boys, they were part of Company A, which was heavily hit and nearly decimated in the first hour of the Normandy Beach invasion. Nineteen Bedford Boys perished on that first day. Four more men from Bedford died in the following days of the invasion. Proportionately, the little town of Bedford suffered the greatest loss of any town in America. This is why the National D-Day Memorial was constructed here.

There’s ample room to navigate a stroller, and the grounds are huge, so you’ll definitely want to bring the buggy for youngsters. The site has plenty of ramps and is fully handicapped accessible, too.

The park is open seven days a week, from 10 AM to 5PM. They’re closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. Additionally, they close from December to February, likely due to winter weather conditions.