BEDFORD, Va. (WFXR) — Virginia National Guard Soldiers honored the soldiers from the 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team with a ruck march.
They marched from the Bedford Armory to the National D-Day Memorial on Sunday, June 6.
More than 800 members of the 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division were killed, wounded or missing during the D-Day assault. It happened on Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944.
Those courageous and brave men helped create a foothold that allowed forces to continue the assault and set the stage for Allied victory in Europe.
The valor, fidelity and sacrifice of D-Day participants are remembered June 6, 2021, at the observance of the 77th anniversary of the Allied invasion of Normandy at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia. Retired Brig. Gen. Peter C. Hinz, national commander of the 29th Division Association, and Col. Christopher J. Samulski, commander of the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, placed the wreath honoring all U.S. forces during the ceremony. The Troutville-based 29th Infantry Division Band provided the color guard, drum and fife and ceremonial music for the event. Three World War II veterans were recognized, and Normandy veteran Ash Rothlein shared his experience with attendees. Earlier in the day, Soldiers assigned to the Lynchburg-based 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conducted a memorial ruck march from the Bedford Armory to the D-Memorial. (U.S. National Guard photo by Cotton Puryear) 
The valor, fidelity and sacrifice of D-Day participants are remembered June 6, 2021, at the observance of the 77th anniversary of the Allied invasion of Normandy at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia. Retired Brig. Gen. Peter C. Hinz, national commander of the 29th Division Association, and Col. Christopher J. Samulski, commander of the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, placed the wreath honoring all U.S. forces during the ceremony. The Troutville-based 29th Infantry Division Band provided the color guard, drum and fife and ceremonial music for the event. Three World War II veterans were recognized, and Normandy veteran Ash Rothlein shared his experience with attendees. Earlier in the day, Soldiers assigned to the Lynchburg-based 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conducted a memorial ruck march from the Bedford Armory to the D-Memorial. (U.S. National Guard photo by Cotton Puryear) 
The valor, fidelity and sacrifice of D-Day participants are remembered June 6, 2021, at the observance of the 77th anniversary of the Allied invasion of Normandy at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia. Retired Brig. Gen. Peter C. Hinz, national commander of the 29th Division Association, and Col. Christopher J. Samulski, commander of the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, placed the wreath honoring all U.S. forces during the ceremony. The Troutville-based 29th Infantry Division Band provided the color guard, drum and fife and ceremonial music for the event. Three World War II veterans were recognized, and Normandy veteran Ash Rothlein shared his experience with attendees. Earlier in the day, Soldiers assigned to the Lynchburg-based 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conducted a memorial ruck march from the Bedford Armory to the D-Memorial. (U.S. National Guard photo by Cotton Puryear) 
The valor, fidelity and sacrifice of D-Day participants are remembered June 6, 2021, at the observance of the 77th anniversary of the Allied invasion of Normandy at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia. Retired Brig. Gen. Peter C. Hinz, national commander of the 29th Division Association, and Col. Christopher J. Samulski, commander of the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, placed the wreath honoring all U.S. forces during the ceremony. The Troutville-based 29th Infantry Division Band provided the color guard, drum and fife and ceremonial music for the event. Three World War II veterans were recognized, and Normandy veteran Ash Rothlein shared his experience with attendees. Earlier in the day, Soldiers assigned to the Lynchburg-based 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conducted a memorial ruck march from the Bedford Armory to the D-Memorial. (U.S. National Guard photo by Cotton Puryear) 
The valor, fidelity and sacrifice of D-Day participants are remembered June 6, 2021, at the observance of the 77th anniversary of the Allied invasion of Normandy at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia. Retired Brig. Gen. Peter C. Hinz, national commander of the 29th Division Association, and Col. Christopher J. Samulski, commander of the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, placed the wreath honoring all U.S. forces during the ceremony. The Troutville-based 29th Infantry Division Band provided the color guard, drum and fife and ceremonial music for the event. Three World War II veterans were recognized, and Normandy veteran Ash Rothlein shared his experience with attendees. Earlier in the day, Soldiers assigned to the Lynchburg-based 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conducted a memorial ruck march from the Bedford Armory to the D-Memorial. (U.S. National Guard photo by Cotton Puryear) 
The valor, fidelity and sacrifice of D-Day participants are remembered June 6, 2021, at the observance of the 77th anniversary of the Allied invasion of Normandy at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia. Retired Brig. Gen. Peter C. Hinz, national commander of the 29th Division Association, and Col. Christopher J. Samulski, commander of the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, placed the wreath honoring all U.S. forces during the ceremony. The Troutville-based 29th Infantry Division Band provided the color guard, drum and fife and ceremonial music for the event. Three World War II veterans were recognized, and Normandy veteran Ash Rothlein shared his experience with attendees. Earlier in the day, Soldiers assigned to the Lynchburg-based 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conducted a memorial ruck march from the Bedford Armory to the D-Memorial. (U.S. National Guard photo by Cotton Puryear) 
The valor, fidelity and sacrifice of D-Day participants are remembered June 6, 2021, at the observance of the 77th anniversary of the Allied invasion of Normandy at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia. Retired Brig. Gen. Peter C. Hinz, national commander of the 29th Division Association, and Col. Christopher J. Samulski, commander of the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, placed the wreath honoring all U.S. forces during the ceremony. The Troutville-based 29th Infantry Division Band provided the color guard, drum and fife and ceremonial music for the event. Three World War II veterans were recognized, and Normandy veteran Ash Rothlein shared his experience with attendees. Earlier in the day, Soldiers assigned to the Lynchburg-based 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conducted a memorial ruck march from the Bedford Armory to the D-Memorial. (U.S. National Guard photo by Cotton Puryear) 
The valor, fidelity and sacrifice of D-Day participants are remembered June 6, 2021, at the observance of the 77th anniversary of the Allied invasion of Normandy at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia. Retired Brig. Gen. Peter C. Hinz, national commander of the 29th Division Association, and Col. Christopher J. Samulski, commander of the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, placed the wreath honoring all U.S. forces during the ceremony. The Troutville-based 29th Infantry Division Band provided the color guard, drum and fife and ceremonial music for the event. Three World War II veterans were recognized, and Normandy veteran Ash Rothlein shared his experience with attendees. Earlier in the day, Soldiers assigned to the Lynchburg-based 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conducted a memorial ruck march from the Bedford Armory to the D-Memorial. (U.S. National Guard photo by Cotton Puryear) 
The valor, fidelity and sacrifice of D-Day participants are remembered June 6, 2021, at the observance of the 77th anniversary of the Allied invasion of Normandy at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia. Retired Brig. Gen. Peter C. Hinz, national commander of the 29th Division Association, and Col. Christopher J. Samulski, commander of the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, placed the wreath honoring all U.S. forces during the ceremony. The Troutville-based 29th Infantry Division Band provided the color guard, drum and fife and ceremonial music for the event. Three World War II veterans were recognized, and Normandy veteran Ash Rothlein shared his experience with attendees. Earlier in the day, Soldiers assigned to the Lynchburg-based 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conducted a memorial ruck march from the Bedford Armory to the D-Memorial. (U.S. National Guard photo by Cotton Puryear) 
The valor, fidelity and sacrifice of D-Day participants are remembered June 6, 2021, at the observance of the 77th anniversary of the Allied invasion of Normandy at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia. Retired Brig. Gen. Peter C. Hinz, national commander of the 29th Division Association, and Col. Christopher J. Samulski, commander of the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, placed the wreath honoring all U.S. forces during the ceremony. The Troutville-based 29th Infantry Division Band provided the color guard, drum and fife and ceremonial music for the event. Three World War II veterans were recognized, and Normandy veteran Ash Rothlein shared his experience with attendees. Earlier in the day, Soldiers assigned to the Lynchburg-based 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conducted a memorial ruck march from the Bedford Armory to the D-Memorial. (U.S. National Guard photo by Cotton Puryear) 
The valor, fidelity and sacrifice of D-Day participants are remembered June 6, 2021, at the observance of the 77th anniversary of the Allied invasion of Normandy at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia. Retired Brig. Gen. Peter C. Hinz, national commander of the 29th Division Association, and Col. Christopher J. Samulski, commander of the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, placed the wreath honoring all U.S. forces during the ceremony. The Troutville-based 29th Infantry Division Band provided the color guard, drum and fife and ceremonial music for the event. Three World War II veterans were recognized, and Normandy veteran Ash Rothlein shared his experience with attendees. Earlier in the day, Soldiers assigned to the Lynchburg-based 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conducted a memorial ruck march from the Bedford Armory to the D-Memorial. (U.S. National Guard photo by Cotton Puryear) 
The valor, fidelity and sacrifice of D-Day participants are remembered June 6, 2021, at the observance of the 77th anniversary of the Allied invasion of Normandy at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia. Retired Brig. Gen. Peter C. Hinz, national commander of the 29th Division Association, and Col. Christopher J. Samulski, commander of the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, placed the wreath honoring all U.S. forces during the ceremony. The Troutville-based 29th Infantry Division Band provided the color guard, drum and fife and ceremonial music for the event. Three World War II veterans were recognized, and Normandy veteran Ash Rothlein shared his experience with attendees. Earlier in the day, Soldiers assigned to the Lynchburg-based 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conducted a memorial ruck march from the Bedford Armory to the D-Memorial. (U.S. National Guard photo by Cotton Puryear) 
The valor, fidelity and sacrifice of D-Day participants are remembered June 6, 2021, at the observance of the 77th anniversary of the Allied invasion of Normandy at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia. Retired Brig. Gen. Peter C. Hinz, national commander of the 29th Division Association, and Col. Christopher J. Samulski, commander of the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, placed the wreath honoring all U.S. forces during the ceremony. The Troutville-based 29th Infantry Division Band provided the color guard, drum and fife and ceremonial music for the event. Three World War II veterans were recognized, and Normandy veteran Ash Rothlein shared his experience with attendees. Earlier in the day, Soldiers assigned to the Lynchburg-based 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conducted a memorial ruck march from the Bedford Armory to the D-Memorial. (U.S. National Guard photo by Cotton Puryear) 
The valor, fidelity and sacrifice of D-Day participants are remembered June 6, 2021, at the observance of the 77th anniversary of the Allied invasion of Normandy at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia. Retired Brig. Gen. Peter C. Hinz, national commander of the 29th Division Association, and Col. Christopher J. Samulski, commander of the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, placed the wreath honoring all U.S. forces during the ceremony. The Troutville-based 29th Infantry Division Band provided the color guard, drum and fife and ceremonial music for the event. Three World War II veterans were recognized, and Normandy veteran Ash Rothlein shared his experience with attendees. Earlier in the day, Soldiers assigned to the Lynchburg-based 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conducted a memorial ruck march from the Bedford Armory to the D-Memorial. (U.S. National Guard photo by Cotton Puryear) 
The valor, fidelity and sacrifice of D-Day participants are remembered June 6, 2021, at the observance of the 77th anniversary of the Allied invasion of Normandy at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia. Retired Brig. Gen. Peter C. Hinz, national commander of the 29th Division Association, and Col. Christopher J. Samulski, commander of the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, placed the wreath honoring all U.S. forces during the ceremony. The Troutville-based 29th Infantry Division Band provided the color guard, drum and fife and ceremonial music for the event. Three World War II veterans were recognized, and Normandy veteran Ash Rothlein shared his experience with attendees. Earlier in the day, Soldiers assigned to the Lynchburg-based 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conducted a memorial ruck march from the Bedford Armory to the D-Memorial. (U.S. National Guard photo by Cotton Puryear) 
The valor, fidelity and sacrifice of D-Day participants are remembered June 6, 2021, at the observance of the 77th anniversary of the Allied invasion of Normandy at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia. Retired Brig. Gen. Peter C. Hinz, national commander of the 29th Division Association, and Col. Christopher J. Samulski, commander of the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, placed the wreath honoring all U.S. forces during the ceremony. The Troutville-based 29th Infantry Division Band provided the color guard, drum and fife and ceremonial music for the event. Three World War II veterans were recognized, and Normandy veteran Ash Rothlein shared his experience with attendees. Earlier in the day, Soldiers assigned to the Lynchburg-based 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conducted a memorial ruck march from the Bedford Armory to the D-Memorial. (U.S. National Guard photo by Cotton Puryear) 
The valor, fidelity and sacrifice of D-Day participants are remembered June 6, 2021, at the observance of the 77th anniversary of the Allied invasion of Normandy at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia. Retired Brig. Gen. Peter C. Hinz, national commander of the 29th Division Association, and Col. Christopher J. Samulski, commander of the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, placed the wreath honoring all U.S. forces during the ceremony. The Troutville-based 29th Infantry Division Band provided the color guard, drum and fife and ceremonial music for the event. Three World War II veterans were recognized, and Normandy veteran Ash Rothlein shared his experience with attendees. Earlier in the day, Soldiers assigned to the Lynchburg-based 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conducted a memorial ruck march from the Bedford Armory to the D-Memorial. (U.S. National Guard photo by Cotton Puryear) 
The valor, fidelity and sacrifice of D-Day participants are remembered June 6, 2021, at the observance of the 77th anniversary of the Allied invasion of Normandy at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia. Retired Brig. Gen. Peter C. Hinz, national commander of the 29th Division Association, and Col. Christopher J. Samulski, commander of the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, placed the wreath honoring all U.S. forces during the ceremony. The Troutville-based 29th Infantry Division Band provided the color guard, drum and fife and ceremonial music for the event. Three World War II veterans were recognized, and Normandy veteran Ash Rothlein shared his experience with attendees. Earlier in the day, Soldiers assigned to the Lynchburg-based 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conducted a memorial ruck march from the Bedford Armory to the D-Memorial. (U.S. National Guard photo by Cotton Puryear) 
The valor, fidelity and sacrifice of D-Day participants are remembered June 6, 2021, at the observance of the 77th anniversary of the Allied invasion of Normandy at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia. Retired Brig. Gen. Peter C. Hinz, national commander of the 29th Division Association, and Col. Christopher J. Samulski, commander of the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, placed the wreath honoring all U.S. forces during the ceremony. The Troutville-based 29th Infantry Division Band provided the color guard, drum and fife and ceremonial music for the event. Three World War II veterans were recognized, and Normandy veteran Ash Rothlein shared his experience with attendees. Earlier in the day, Soldiers assigned to the Lynchburg-based 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conducted a memorial ruck march from the Bedford Armory to the D-Memorial. (U.S. National Guard photo by Cotton Puryear) 
The valor, fidelity and sacrifice of D-Day participants are remembered June 6, 2021, at the observance of the 77th anniversary of the Allied invasion of Normandy at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia. Retired Brig. Gen. Peter C. Hinz, national commander of the 29th Division Association, and Col. Christopher J. Samulski, commander of the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, placed the wreath honoring all U.S. forces during the ceremony. The Troutville-based 29th Infantry Division Band provided the color guard, drum and fife and ceremonial music for the event. Three World War II veterans were recognized, and Normandy veteran Ash Rothlein shared his experience with attendees. Earlier in the day, Soldiers assigned to the Lynchburg-based 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conducted a memorial ruck march from the Bedford Armory to the D-Memorial. (U.S. National Guard photo by Cotton Puryear) 
The valor, fidelity and sacrifice of D-Day participants are remembered June 6, 2021, at the observance of the 77th anniversary of the Allied invasion of Normandy at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia. Retired Brig. Gen. Peter C. Hinz, national commander of the 29th Division Association, and Col. Christopher J. Samulski, commander of the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, placed the wreath honoring all U.S. forces during the ceremony. The Troutville-based 29th Infantry Division Band provided the color guard, drum and fife and ceremonial music for the event. Three World War II veterans were recognized, and Normandy veteran Ash Rothlein shared his experience with attendees. Earlier in the day, Soldiers assigned to the Lynchburg-based 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conducted a memorial ruck march from the Bedford Armory to the D-Memorial. (U.S. National Guard photo by Cotton Puryear)
During the assault on Omaha Beach, 19 of the “Bedford Boys” of Company A died. Bedford and Virginia’s communities provided soldiers to serve in Company A, 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division.
Bedford suffered the largest loss after the assault on D-Day. Congress recognized that Bedford represented both large and small communities whose citizen-soldiers served that day. To honor the city, Congress decided to establish the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford.
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