2025 July 17~ The Pride and Spirit of Bedford Day

 The Pride and Spirit of Bedford Day – July 17th

July 17th stands as a solemn yet proud day in the heart of Bedford, Virginia—a day etched with reverence, resilience, and remembrance. Known as The Pride and Spirit of Bedford Day, it commemorates the unity and courage of a town forever changed by the sacrifice of its sons. “On the sad and tragic day of Monday, July 17, 1944, inside of Green’s Drug store, Elizabeth Teass began receiving the Western Union telegrams reporting the fates of the     Bedford Boys. At the end of the day, Bedford fell on her knees and cried.”                          

On June 6, 1944, Bedford suffered the highest per capita loss of any American community during the D-Day invasion. These young men, known as The Bedford Boys, were more than soldiers—they were brothers, neighbors, and friends. Their absence left a silence that echoed through every street and home. Time stood still from June 6th until July 17th for the families in Bedford, who had family members in the 116th Infantry Regiment. They knew nothing, until the Western Union telegrams became a dreadful reality.

But in the wake of unimaginable grief, Bedford did not crumble. It came together. Families leaned on one another, churches opened their doors, and the town found strength in shared sorrow. July 17th honors that spirit—the way Bedford turned mourning into memory, and loss into legacy.

Today, flags wave not just in tribute to the fallen, but in celebration of the enduring pride and spirit that defines Bedford. It is a day to remember not only what was lost, but what was built in its place: a community bound by love, sacrifice, and the unbreakable will to carry on.

It was an honor to be invited by my friend Charlotte Powers to attend the 6th Annual ‘Pride and Spirit of Bedford Day’ Ceremony at the Bedford Boys Tribute Center. (Her Uncle Jack Powers was killed June 6, 1944.) A detour through the Bedford Cemeteries before the ceremony began, was an added savored experience.

Several of the Bedford Boys are buried here.

Kenneth A. Parker, executive Director of the Tribute Center led the 30 minute program. He and his wife, Linda are founders and curators of the center.

(Why does she remind me of Rosie the Riveter?)

John Simar, Board Member, read the Proclamation.

 

Rev. Philip Parker of the Bedford Presbyterian Church led the group in prayer. This church(opposite Green's Drugstore) "was used as a refuge to receive the rural farming families while they awaited word. The women of the church cooked meals; the men went out to work the farms while the families painfully waited. Many families "lived" in the church for a week and a half.") 

The Tribute Center is the nation’s largest and most comprehensive museum exclusively dedicated to furthering the legacies of all 38 ‘Bedford Boys’. I wish I had taken more photos, but will go back for a second visit soon. Here are a few: the last 3 are not my photos. 

The second portion of the program was held in the new section next door, followed by a time of fellowship with relatives of the Bedford Boys. 

WE MUST NEVER FORGET HISTORY! It's more than a slogan---its a call to remember: 

• the sacrifices and struggle that built our freedoms
• the mistakes that should never be repeated
• the triumphs that show what humanity is capable of, and
• the voices--loud and silent--that make up the story of who we are.