Q & A
Q & A
BEDFORD INTERNATIONAL ALLIANCE, INC.
On D-Day, 6 June 1944, Allied forces landed on the beaches of Normandy as part of Operation Overlord, an operation aimed at the heart of Nazi Germany and the destruction of German armed forces. The landings began the liberation of France, followed by the liberation of other countries of Western Europe. Bedford’s own Company A, the Bedford Boys made the supreme sacrifice for freedom. We exist to promote and broaden awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the rich historical legacy between the Town and County of Bedford, Virginia and our twinning communities in Normandy, France and Ivybridge, England.
What is the Bedford International Alliance?
The BIA was formed in 1997 with the Town and County of Bedford, Virginia alongside the National D-Day Memorial in a twinning city venue with Ivybridge, England and Normandy, France.
Why these special cities/countries?
Ivybridge, England is where our Bedford Boys of Company A, 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division, trained before going into battle in Europe by landing on the shores of Omaha Beach, Normandy, France. On D-Day Company A was in the first wave of the invasion landings resulting in the loss of 19 men and 1 man from a sister company. These 20 men fought and died on the beach. Bedford, Virginia suffered the highest loss per capita on D-Day of any American community. The Bedford Boys will not be forgotten.
What types of activities does your organization do?
An Annual Meeting is held in January, a St. George’s Day (English holiday) dinner is held in April, a Normandy Day picnic around June 6th, a Bastille Day (French holiday) picnic is held in July, and a December Social is held for members to enjoy. Members also participate in Centerfest and the annual Bedford Christmas Parade. BIA members have also toured the National D-Day Memorial and the Bedford Army Reserve Center. This fall we will be having a French movie night at the Bedford Library and very interesting guest speaker appearances at our quarterly meetings.
What do you have for the young people?
A scholarship program is in place for high school students studying French to be able to go to France with our help during the summer. We also participate in a Student Exchange program with students from Normandy. Student memberships to BIA are available for $5 per year. New educational programs are being developed and will be presented to local high school French and history classes beginning this fall. These programs are continually being offered and expanded.
What about travel?
Every few years, a trip is planned for 30-50 BIA members to travel to Europe, visiting Normandy, France and Ivybridge, England. Side trips have been to Paris, Luxembourg, Belgium, and London. We stay with host families while in Normandy. The purpose of our trips is to honor the sacrifices of both the Bedford Boys and all American soldiers who gave their lives for freedom and to strengthen our ties with the citizens of France and England.
Do the citizens of Ivybridge, England and Normandy, France visit Bedford?
Yes, both groups have visited Bedford several times the last 23 years and they stay with our member host families while here. We give them tours of Bedford and local attractions including the National D-Day Memorial, the Bedford Boys Tribute Center, Poplar Forest, the Peaks of Otter, the Blue Ridge Parkway, Smith Mountain Lake and others. In 2021 we hope to have visitors from Normandy, France, and possibly from England coming to Bedford.
How can I join the BIA? Why should I join BIA?
We must continue to remind and educate our young people about the sacrifices made by the Bedford community and the price we must continue to pay for our Freedom – “Freedom is not free!” Membership is open to the public with annual dues of $20. per person. Applications are available at the Bedford Welcome Center, the Nation D-Day Memorial Gift Shop and the Bedford Boys Tribute Center inside Green’s Drugstore in downtown historic Bedford.
You can also contact President Ken Parker at coabedford6644@gmail.com for more information.
On D-Day, 6 June 1944, Allied forces landed on the beaches of Normandy as part of Operation Overlord, an operation aimed at the heart of Nazi Germany and the destruction of German armed forces. The landings began the liberation of France, followed by the liberation of other countries of Western Europe. Bedford’s own Company A, the Bedford Boys made the supreme sacrifice for freedom. We exist to promote and broaden awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the rich historical legacy between the Town and County of Bedford, Virginia and our twinning communities in Normandy, France and Ivybridge, England.
What is the Bedford International Alliance?
The BIA was formed in 1997 with the Town and County of Bedford, Virginia alongside the National D-Day Memorial in a twinning city venue with Ivybridge, England and Normandy, France.
Why these special cities/countries?
Ivybridge, England is where our Bedford Boys of Company A, 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division, trained before going into battle in Europe by landing on the shores of Omaha Beach, Normandy, France. On D-Day Company A was in the first wave of the invasion landings resulting in the loss of 19 men and 1 man from a sister company. These 20 men fought and died on the beach. Bedford, Virginia suffered the highest loss per capita on D-Day of any American community. The Bedford Boys will not be forgotten.
What types of activities does your organization do?
An Annual Meeting is held in January, a St. George’s Day (English holiday) dinner is held in April, a Normandy Day picnic around June 6th, a Bastille Day (French holiday) picnic is held in July, and a December Social is held for members to enjoy. Members also participate in Centerfest and the annual Bedford Christmas Parade. BIA members have also toured the National D-Day Memorial and the Bedford Army Reserve Center. This fall we will be having a French movie night at the Bedford Library and very interesting guest speaker appearances at our quarterly meetings.
What do you have for the young people?
A scholarship program is in place for high school students studying French to be able to go to France with our help during the summer. We also participate in a Student Exchange program with students from Normandy. Student memberships to BIA are available for $5 per year. New educational programs are being developed and will be presented to local high school French and history classes beginning this fall. These programs are continually being offered and expanded.
What about travel?
Every few years, a trip is planned for 30-50 BIA members to travel to Europe, visiting Normandy, France and Ivybridge, England. Side trips have been to Paris, Luxembourg, Belgium, and London. We stay with host families while in Normandy. The purpose of our trips is to honor the sacrifices of both the Bedford Boys and all American soldiers who gave their lives for freedom and to strengthen our ties with the citizens of France and England.
Do the citizens of Ivybridge, England and Normandy, France visit Bedford?
Yes, both groups have visited Bedford several times the last 23 years and they stay with our member host families while here. We give them tours of Bedford and local attractions including the National D-Day Memorial, the Bedford Boys Tribute Center, Poplar Forest, the Peaks of Otter, the Blue Ridge Parkway, Smith Mountain Lake and others. In 2021 we hope to have visitors from Normandy, France, and possibly from England coming to Bedford.
How can I join the BIA? Why should I join BIA?
We must continue to remind and educate our young people about the sacrifices made by the Bedford community and the price we must continue to pay for our Freedom – “Freedom is not free!” Membership is open to the public with annual dues of $20. per person. Applications are available at the Bedford Welcome Center, the Nation D-Day Memorial Gift Shop and the Bedford Boys Tribute Center inside Green’s Drugstore in downtown historic Bedford.
You can also contact President Ken Parker at coabedford6644@gmail.com for more information.