Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 6, 1990                   TAG: 9006060393
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-11   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: J. ROBERT SLAUGHTER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

`WISE USE' FOR MILL MOUNTAIN WOULD BE D-DAY MEMORIAL

I agree.

What could be more appropriate than an international D-Day memorial here in Roanoke, which would include a museum, library, learning center and an heroic-size monument? This is more fitting by far to Mill Mountain than any commercial enterprise.

More than a year ago, a tax-exempt Virginia corporation was formed to seek private funds to build the memorial. The city of Roanoke's permission to build the memorial on the mountain has yet to be given.

I say to the city, "Heed the 29th Division's motto: `Let's Go'!"

Let me tell you why D-Day deserves to have a national memorial. At present, there is no significant memorial anywhere in the United States.

Forty-six years ago today - on June 6, 1944 - the largest air, land and sea battle ever fought was launched against a Nazi tyranny that threatened civilization. World domination, slavery for millions of us, extermination of entire classes of human beings were Adolf Hitler's goals.

Had this invasion of France failed, World War II would have been prolonged for sure. Total victory would have been less likely, and we likely would have a far different world from what we know today.

All of us take freedom for granted. We vote for the kind of government we desire, then are free to criticize it. We read, write or watch what is in our interest; we can travel, live or work where it suits us, not the state. We the people are the state.

There were almost 7,000 American casualties that day in June 1944. How many mothers, fathers, brothers, aunts were also tearful casualties?

Bedford, whose population then was about 3,000, had 23 men killed that day. Southwest Virginia was hit disproportionately hard because of the 116th Infantry Regiment, a contingent of the Virginia National Guard.

These "Stonewallers," descendants of the Stonewall Brigade's 2nd Virginia Regiment of Civil War fame, spearheaded the assault on "Bloody Omaha Beach" and suffered nearly 800 casualties. This unit was torn asunder by the murderous fire of the crack German defenders concealed and entrenched in concrete bunkers. Anti-landing obstacles, thousands of mines, terrible weather, a strong tide, and the formidable terrain of cliffs and bluffs were also faced.

The 116th Infantry Regiment of the 29th Division, the 16th Infantry Regiment of the 1st Division, and the 2nd Ranger Battalion (attached to the 116th) were asked to lead the way in the frontal assault.

Max Hastings likened it to the infamous frontal attack of the Battle of the Somme in World War I, or the surge up Cemetery Ridge at Gettysburg.

I think Omaha Beach was worse.

These men risked life and limb for the sake of freedom. They weren't seeking real estate per se, anyone's treasury, political power or glory.

We knew it had to be done if our homes and a free society were to be preserved. Many, many of them - the scene still haunts me - were killed, their bodies rolling in the surf with blood-stained shirts, so that you and I can live in the most free society on Earth.

The younger generation can't imagine what sacrifices have been made for them. It is true that one must not dwell on our battle-scarred history, but the men who sacrificed their all must never be forgotten.

This brings us back to Mill Mountain - the only mountain we will ever have. The National D-Day Memorial deserves the beauty and majesty of Mill Mountain.