Legionnaires lead special Armed Forces Day salute in Virginia town known for D-Day sacrifice.
In Bedford, Va., a celebration of America’s 250th birthday starts with gratitude for those who have served and sacrificed to keep the nation free.
On May 16, Armed Forces Day, crowds lined the town’s streets for a patriotic parade honoring generations of men and women in uniform – most especially the ones who never came home.
Planned and organized by Board Canady American Legion Post 54, and sponsored by the Virginia Moose Association, “Bedford Remembers” had more than 70 local groups and organizations represented, with at least 600 people participating in or supporting the event.
“We have a responsibility to maintain our history,” says Nick Soukhanov, the parade’s chief organizer, Post 54 commander and Air Force veteran. “We wanted to get the whole community involved, and we managed to achieve that, in a very positive fashion.”
Halfway between Roanoke and Lynchburg, Bedford is known for its vibrant downtown and scenic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s also the home of the National D-Day Memorial, which turns 25 next month. During World War II, the community lost 20 men in the invasion at Normandy, 19 of whom were from Company A, 116th Infantry Regiment, based in Bedford.
At Saturday’s event, Scouts marched with framed photographs of the “Bedford Boys,” and a National D-Day Memorial float displayed “Faces of the Fallen” – solemn reminders of the price of freedom.
The parade kicked off with the rumble and roar of American Legion Riders and Patriot Guard motorcycles. A fleet of vehicles followed, including Bedford Sheriff’s Department cruisers, a Virginia State Police cruiser, Virginia Conservation Police and U.S. Park Rangers trucks, and the Bedford Fire Department with a RAV-1, engine, ladder, wagon and tanker.
Cadets from Bedford County Public Schools Army JROTC unit – the “Wolfpack Battalion” – served as color guard and carried flags of the six branches of the armed forces. And students from not just one but three high school bands – Liberty, Jefferson Forest and Staunton River – played patriotic music.
“Everybody came together to do this,” Soukhanov says. “That was the most beautiful part.”
The Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom eras were all represented, with parade-goers waving and shouting their appreciation to veterans. World War I reenactors from Appomattox American Legion Post 104 showed off a restored cannon, while the Bedford Boys Tribute Center brought a World War II jeep.
Volunteers from Post 54 drove state and local officials, along with Madison Whitbeck, crowned Miss Virginia in 2025. Other contingents included the Purple Heart Association, Honor Flight, Gold Star Mothers, Gold Star Families, American Legion District 10, American Legion Post 16 Honor Guard, Peaks of Otter VFW Post 2157, Daughters of the American Revolution, Sons of Confederate Veterans, United Daughters of the Confederacy and more.
“I thought it was great, and I thought it was well-received,” says Jim Morrison, an Army veteran and author of “Bedford Goes to War: The Heroic Story of a Small Virginia Community in World War II.”
“Bedford’s people have been patriotic in peacetime and in war, and Bedford men have fought and died in nearly every major war in America. That goes back to the colonial period, when Bedford had several men in the militia in the 1750s. So there’s a rich heritage here.”
In organizing the parade, Soukhanov, Morrison and other Post 54 members drew from plans for a similar event that had been scheduled for Bedford County’s 250th anniversary, in 2004. Soukhanov and the executive director of Bedford Main Street worked for a year on a parade that would showcase the town’s military heritage, from colonial times up to the present day. That Memorial Day weekend, though, severe storms blew in and wrecked it all.
“Two men cried that day, and I was one of them,” Soukhanov says.
Months ago, his team dusted off the template and got to work. Post 54’s Andy Dooley approached the Virginia Moose Association for funding and sponsorship. He also arranged the use of Bedford’s traditional Christmas parade route with local law enforcement. Meanwhile, Ron Krauklis – commander of American Legion District 10 in Virginia – created a flag and logo combining the city and county seals, the American Legion emblem and the Virginia Moose Association symbol.
From the start, individuals and community organizations got behind Post 54’s effort, Soukhanov says.
“Everybody was all for it. Never a dissenting word. It was, ‘Let’s get it done.’”
According to Morrison, the message is that we have the American military to thank for securing and protecting the nation and freedoms we’re celebrating.
“As Nick says, ‘This is once every 250 years.’”
Photos below courtesy Nick Soukhanov and Sue Moore
- Honor & Remembrance