Memorial Day

Joe-D-Day Marine Veteran

This morning we found an unexpected treasure. while reading about the Roanoke area, I discovered that the National D-Day Memorial is located in Bedford Va. just about 30 miles away from,  our hotel so, especially since it is Memorial Day, a side trip was in order. The Memorial is located in Bedford as that town had the largest per capita number of soldiers killed during the D-Day invasion. It is a magnificent memorial to that day and to have visited on Memorial Day was a special and moving experience. They have managed to depict a lot of what we read about Operation overlord into the displays including a simulated beach landing with artillery blasts It is really quite impressive and you should put this stop on your to-do list.

Scaling the cliffs

 

After that visit it was back to the Blueridge for a little more mountain riding, The Parkway changes as you go south, there are more expansive views and home begin to pop up on the sides of the  mountains. Since there are no services on the parkway, you need to get off and visit a nearby town for gas, food etc.  This afternoon we stopped at a little Virginia town named Floyd, gassed up and chose the Blueridge Restaurant for lunch. If you are ever there, you have to stop and ask that LaDonna wait on you. this young lady had us laughing from the time we got our water until we paid the bill. her quick wit delivered with a southern drawl was priceless. Oh,  and they are famous for their deserts. I had the "Black bottom Pie" and it was so sweet that the first bite hurt my teeth. I did man-up though and managed to finish it.

We finished out the day at Mile 300 on the Parkway, In Boone N.C. Tomorrow we'll finish the last 140 miles or so of the parkway and head towards New Orleans.

As it is Memorial Day, I want to take a moment to recognize my son, Brian who has served our country now for nearly 14 years, and Kate, his "Army wife" who serves by holding it all together when Brian leaves on deployments and is gone to the field with a strength of will and determination. Their service continues the legacy of those we honor on Memorial Day, those who gave the supreme sacrifice and the families left to carry on. 

We are blessed to have both of you, we are honored by your service and I love you dearly.