Honor a Hero

Bricks

Commemorative bricks serve as permanent tributes to men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Brick tributes are not limited to service in World War II and can encompass any service period. Dedication ceremonies take place twice per year on Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

The placement of each brick within the Memorial’s Annie J. Bronson Veterans Memorial Walk is not only an investment in the legacy of a loved one, but also in the Memorial’s future. Proceeds support ongoing maintenance projects and help promote the Memorial’s educational mission. The brick walk is dedicated in memory of Annie J. Bronson of Cambridge, Massachusetts, for her love of country and in tribute to all those who selflessly serve that we might be free.

At $300, a commemorative brick is an affordable way to permanently recognize a veteran at the National D-Day Memorial.

Please carefully and accurately return the completed brick form to the Foundation’s administrative offices or click the button to complete your purchase online.

Gold Star Bricks

Gold Star Garden bricks are reserved for individuals who lost their lives in service to the United States in one of the following ways:

• During World War I, World War II, or during any subsequent period of armed hostilities in which the United States was engaged before July 1, 1958.
• After June 30, 1958, while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict in which the United States is/was not a belligerent party against an opposing armed force.
• After March 28, 1973, as a result of an international terrorist attack against the United States or a foreign nation friendly to the United States, recognized as such an attack by the Secretary of Defense; or military operations while serving outside the United States (including the commonwealths, territories, and possessions of the United States) as part of a peacekeeping force.

Gold Star Bricks are dedicated on Veterans Day and Memorial Day each year.

Please carefully and accurately complete and return a Gold Star brick form to the Foundation’s administrative office or click the button to complete your purchase online.

Poppies

To pay remembrance to the official end of World War II, each September Memorial staff and volunteers place thousands of red poppies alongside our Le Monument Aux Morts sculpture as a visual tribute to the men and women who gave their all to preserve the freedoms we enjoy today. The Memorial’s annual Poppy Peace Garden also commemorates the 9/11 anniversary and honors the first responders who sacrificed their lives for the safety of others.

One red poppy for every fatality on D-Day—4,427 in all—will line the sculpture.

Poppies may be purchased in honor or memory of veterans, Active-duty service members, first responders, or frontline workers. Poppies are $25 each or five poppies for $100. All gifts are tax-deductible, and all proceeds benefit National D-Day Memorial operations and programming.

The names of honorees received by August 23, 2024, will be included in the printed program available on site during the display.

For Poppy Peace Garden dates and please see our calendar of events.

Luminarias

As twilight deepens and obscures the Blue Ridge Mountains, the National D-Day Memorial will once again honor the 4,427 men killed on D-Day during our annual Flames of Memory event. Arranged throughout the Memorial’s grounds, thousands of luminarias will shine in recognition of Overlord’s fallen and in tribute to the ultimate sacrifice each made to relight the lamp of freedom.

Luminarias can be purchased in honor or memory of anyone, D-Day veteran or not, and quantity purchases are welcome. Each luminaria is $20 or six luminarias for $100. All gifts are tax-deductible, and all proceeds benefit Memorial operations and educational programming.

To guarantee honoree names will appear in the printed program available during the event, please complete your purchases and return any mail-in forms no later than December 2, 2024.

For Flames of Memory dates please see our calendar of events.

Trees

Honor an individual or group by purchasing a tree with a customizable plaque at the National D-Day Memorial. Purchase a commemorative tree for $2,000 by contacting Courtney Godsey, Director of Development, at 540-875-2822 or by emailing giving@dday.org

Garden Benches

Honor an individual or group by purchasing a bench with a customizable plaque at the National D-Day Memorial. Purchase a commemorative bench for $5,000 by contacting Courtney Godsey, Director of Development, at 540-875-2822 or by emailing giving@dday.org