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The National D-Day Memorial

“I have never forgotten those brave soldiers who died so that I could march in safety up that bluff.   That memory is seared into my head to this day.  It became the defining moment of my life’s path and purpose.  It mapped the challenges and opportunities I chose, and still seek, to carry out meaningful service to my country and to humanity.  I hope that my life’s endeavors have thus far adequately fulfilled that promise.”  ~  Ash Rothlein, Normandy Veteran Ash Rothlein lived his promise, giving back in innumerable ways during his remarkable 97 years.  Sadly, Ash passed away on January...

January 28th, 2022

The National D-Day Memorial remembers with fondness and gratitude Bernard L. Marie who passed away Friday, November 5, 2021.  He will be remembered for his devotion through the years to the WWII veterans who helped liberate his native country of France and the creation of an annual dinner to recognize them. “Bernard worked tirelessly to make sure many Normandy veterans received the French Legion of Honor and recognized those veterans annually at his dinner to highlight their stories,” stated April Cheek-Messier, President of the National D-Day Memorial. [caption id="attachment_27513" align="alignleft" width="300"] Bernard L. Marie, right, places a wreath at the Memorial during...

November 8th, 2021

The staff, board, and volunteers of the National D-Day Memorial Foundation mourn the passing of Senator John Warner, an early and ardent supporter of the Memorial....

May 26th, 2021

The staff, board, and volunteers of the National D-Day Memorial Foundation are deeply saddened by the loss of James Vest, a former Chairman of the Board of Directors for the National D-Day Memorial Foundation. "Mr. Vest continually gave back to his community and never shied away from challenges," said April Cheek-Messier, Foundation president. "He served in this role with the utmost integrity and perseverance.  Those of us who knew him at the Memorial were honored to have worked with him over the years.  His sense of philanthropy, duty, and simple kindness will be sorely missed. Vest was a 1962 graduate of the...

August 17th, 2020

The staff, board, and volunteers of the National D-Day Memorial Foundation mourn the loss of our friend and former Board of Directors member Adrian Cronauer. A former U.S. Air Force sergeant and disc jockey, Cronauer co-authored the story for the major motion picture Good Morning, Vietnam! The late Robin Williams garnered an Academy Award nomination for his loose portrayal of Cronauer in the 1987 film. In 2001, Cronauer accepted a position as an adviser in the George W. Bush administration, representing the Pentagon’s POW/MIA office in key meetings. Cronauer served on the National D-Day Memorial Foundation Board of Directors from 2012-2014. He...

July 20th, 2018

[caption id="attachment_18536" align="alignright" width="200"] L-R: April Cheek-Messier and Margaret Slaughter, Memorial Day 2014[/caption] The National D-Day Memorial Foundation joins the Slaughter family in mourning the loss of Margaret Slaughter, the wife of late Memorial founder Sgt. John Robert “Bob” Slaughter. Mrs. Slaughter, 91, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 25, 2018 in Roanoke, VA. One might consider Mrs. Slaughter the Memorial’s ‘first lady’, as she shared and supported her husband’s dream of seeing a lasting monument to those he served with on June 6, 1944 come to fruition. “Margaret was a beautiful woman who was entirely devoted to her family. Her support and...

January 29th, 2018

The staff, board, and volunteers of the National D-Day Memorial Foundation mourn the loss of our beloved friend and ardent supporter Captain Jerry Yellin. This past June 6, Capt. Yellin delivered the keynote address at the Memorial’s commemoration of the 73rd anniversary of D-Day. One of the nation’s best-known World War II veterans, Yellin shared his harrowing story of having flown the final combat mission of WWII, in which his wingman became the final American to die in battle during the war. Moved by his visit in June, Yellin became further involved with the Memorial and its mission. In September, he raised...

December 22nd, 2017