The National D-Day Memorial in Bedford will host a special ceremony, “Honoring our Veterans”, on Wednesday at 11 a.m.

The ceremony includes music by Bedford Elementary School students, guest speakers including award winning author Alex Kershaw and World War II veteran Roger Neighborgall, a presentation of historic flags by regional JROTC groups, a Bronze Star presentation, and recognition of all veterans.

Keynote speaker will be Roger Neighborgall, a veteran of the 5th Ranger Battalion during WWII. “There are not many of us left who can talk about our experiences, and I want the younger generation to know what World War II was all about,” Neighborgall said.

Neighborgall took part in the Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace and Central Europe campaigns and was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Combat Infantry Badge. 

According to the citation which awarded him the Silver Star, Neighborgall, who was three miles behind German lines on a two-man reconnaissance mission, fearlessly went to the aid of his wounded platoon leader and evacuated him through a hail of fire to safety.

The program will also feature guest speaker and award winning author and historian Alex Kershaw.  Kershaw is best known for his books  “The Bedford Boys: The Story of Bedford, Virginia’s Extraordinary D-Day Sacrifice,” “The Longest Winter: The Battle of the Bulge and the Epic Story of World War II’s Most Decorated Platoon” and “The Liberator: One Soldier’s 500-Day Odyssey from the Beaches of Sicily to the Gates of Dachau,” and most recently, “Avenue of Spies: A True Story of Terror, Espionage, and One American Family’s Heroic Resistance in Nazi-Occupied Paris Avenue of Spies.”

Guests are encouraged to bring a chair and dress appropriately for the weather. Admission is free 10 a.m. until noon.  For more information, call (540) 586-3329.