The Virginia Town Devastated by D-Day

B E D F O R D, Va., May 28 -- For years, World War II was a sore subject that many families in this small farming community avoided.

"We lost so many men," said Boyd Wilson, 79, who joinedVirginia's 116th National Guard before it was sent to war. "It wasjust painful."

The war hit Bedford harder than perhaps any other small town inAmerica, taking 19 of its sons, fathers and brothers in the openingmoments of the Allied invasion of Normandy. Within a week, 23 ofBedford's 35 soldiers were dead. It was the highest per capita lossfor any U.S. community.

Only recently have residents begun talking about D-Day, mostlyin anticipation of the National D-Day Memorial being dedicated hereon June 6, the 57th anniversary of the Normandy invasion. Thememorial will officially open the day after the dedication.

"A lot of people don't know what happened here," said CarolBurnett, 58, owner of the Old Liberty Antique Mall, a downtownantique shop cluttered with lamps, dolls and other vintageknickknacks.

For the past year, Burnett has kept a collection of old WorldWar II uniforms and pictures in her front window. "People are nowcoming by, some old veterans, and they tell us their story."

On the First Boats in Normandy

In the 1940s, Bedford was a farming town of about 3,200 people.The generation of young men who would go to war attended the samechurches and schools. There were few jobs, so many joined the116th, which paid about $35 every two months.

Wilson said they would train together every month at the countycourthouse. "It was like being on a ball team," he said.

In 1942, the Guard unit was shipped off to England. It was theonly National Guard unit to be on the first boats of the Normandyinvasion. Wilson, who was then fighting with another Army unit thatarrived at Omaha Beach after the 116th, said he kept looking forhis friends, but couldn't find anyone.

"Later they told me that the 116th had been wiped out," hesaid.

In Bedford, Mike E. Reynolds was working in the furniture storehe bought before the war. Reynolds said he first heard about D-Daywhen he went next door to the drug store for a Coke.