Staff Articles

National D-Day Memorial - "Family Day" - 07/19/08

The Historic Virginia Chapter participated during the "Family Day" event at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, VA on July 19, 2008 with a display of the Red Cross involvement during WW II. Our booth had memorabilia from the Memorial that showed examples of "V-Mail" and other means used for soldiers and their families to communicate during the war. We also provided the public the opportunity to write a postcard to a current soldier serving in Iraq or Afghanistan and place it in our mailbox.

Our Services to Armed Forces (SAF) staff included Wendy and Rebecca Hoffman volunteering their time to participate in the event.

An exhibit piece from the Memorial showing "V-Mail" and vinyl records that soldiers and their families could record messages on.

 There were a few others at the event that also portrayed Red Cross personnel during the war. Here you see Red Cross Canteen worker, Andrea Wilson at her station.

 Andrea is part of the "All American Honor Guard" organization which provides living military history through exhibits and portraying the lives of soldiers, sailors and others.  When we asked Andrea why she selected her theme, she stated; "When I read of the great work the ARC did in WW2 and WW1 along with the home front work and donations it never ceases to amaze me."  She said; "I love the Canteen since most people think the Red Cross in wartime is mostly nurses and there is a place for everyone to make a difference. "

 Another person dressed in period Red Cross garb was 15-year-old Elizabeth Lee seen here in a different Red Cross workers uniform.

 Some veterans of WW II were also there to talk about their experiences and sign books. Here, Red Cross volunteer, Rebecca Hoffman meets fighter pilot, Bill Overstreet who actually flew his fighter under the Eiffel Tower in pursuit of a Nazi fighter pilot.

 Also participating was Evelyn Kowalchuk, a WW II nurse that has written a book about her experiences during the war.

 She was awarded the French Medal of Honor for her services.

 One station was a Navy Recruiter's office which portrayed the way new recruits would have been solicited. Here, Red Cross volunteer, Rebecca Hoffman is being signed-up for the Navy.

This is a view of the Richard S. Reynolds, Sr. Garden.  This garden is laid out to resemble the shoulder patch of the Supreme Headquarters, Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF).The garden includes the circular folly with a sculpture of the Supreme Commander and a ceiling mosaic of the battle area. The garden is planted with flowers that match the colors and rainbow shape of the patch as seen on the back wall. The rock work planter is in the shape of the flaming sword.

 Supreme Commander, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower looks out from under the circular Tuscan folly at the garden. The path that forms the outer shape of the commands patch also displays busts of other allied commanders involved in the invasion.

 Just below the Overlord Arch is a representation of the beach assault. Bronze statues of soldiers leaving the Higgins boat and heading for the beach are realistic and the use of air jets to simulate gun fire hitting the water is pretty dramatic.

The National D-Day Memorial is an awe inspiring place to visit anytime. The annual "Family Day" event attracts thousands of people to view the many additional exhibits and interact with period-dressed soldiers, sailors, aviators and more. Every station had a special theme and a question was posed for each station on a Fact Finder Sheet provided to the young visitors. They would then stop by each station to learn the answer to one of the questions. At the end of the tour, they turn-in their completed questions and receive their WW II Awareness Award.