UAW Veterans work with the National D-Day Memorial

The UAW Veterans from Local 2069 in Dublin have begun a project with the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia. Mark Peterson, Veterans Committee Chairman, comments “The Veterans Committee of Local 2069 was invited last fall to sponsor or underwrite a WWII American Workforce Plaque at the National D-Day Memorial. The Committee and the D-Day Foundation agree and have proudly selected “Rosie the Riveter” as a natural choice and the most worldly recognized icon representing the WWII workforce and labor movement. She’ll be in bronzed atop of the plaque with a narrative by the D-Day Foundation explaining, not only the women’s role but the role all working Americans had in manufacturing equipment used in the war effort.”

The 30” by 36” inch Rosie the Riveter Plaque will be positioned on the most prominent wall which also contains General Eisenhower’s Order of the Day, as well as the division plaques of the invading forces on that fateful day. Peterson notes “In essence, we like to think we’re putting Rosie the Riveter with the troops for whom she worked so diligently; producing more machinery and equipment than any other country in history. Our American WWII fighting men (and women) out-fought the world; as Americans on the home front out-produced the world.”
The National D-Day Memorial with its English Garden, haunting invasion scene, Memorial Wall, Overlord Arch and striking Victory Plaza, is a powerful permanent testimony to the courage, determination and sacrifices of D-Day servicemen and women. Bedford, Virginia is home to the National D-Day Memorial because it’s the American community that lost the most men per capita on D-Day when the community’s National Guard formed A Company of the 116th Infantry of the 29th Division. On D-Day, General Dwight Eisenhower selected the 116th Infantry Regiment, with the Virginia National Guard at its core, to go ashore in the first wave on Omaha Beach. Some 30 Bedford soldiers stormed onto Omaha Beach that day; 19 of those young men died within minutes of battle and 2 more were lost during the Normandy campaign. The loss of 21 young men in a community of about 3,200 in the mid 1940’s gave Bedford the highest proportional loss of lives on D-Day in the United States. On that day, 776 other Virginians gave the supreme sacrifice.

The UAW and the National D-Day Foundation recognize the contributions and commitments of the American Workforce as a key element in victory during WWII. With this plaque at the National D-Day Memorial we will forever educate and remind the ½ million visitors and dignitaries visiting each year just how powerful and important the American Workforce is. Mark Peterson explains that both the UAW Veterans Affairs Department, directed by Vice President Cal Raspon, and UAW Region 8, directed by Gary Casteel, have made sizable donations, as well as many local unions across Region 8. “The cost of this great endeavor is $25,000.00 and we’re well within range of this goal, perhaps by years end. We’ve had a great and educational time promoting this project; our union is behind us, as well as our community. The plaque’s dedicatory lines recognize the entire UAW nation as well as the Veterans Committee of Local 2069. Having the great seal of the UAW Veterans on the plaque is something all UAW members will be proud of!!”

Dedication of the Rosie the Riveter, WWII American Workforce Plaque will be this Veterans Day, November 11th, 2008, at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia. Mark Peterson, Region 8 Veterans Council Chairman will take part in a speaking arrangement during the Veterans Day services.

Peterson adds, “This is another example of the many avenues and opportunities our great union offers to those who want to get involved. Working with veterans, both inside and out of the plant has really made a difference in my life and our Veterans Committee at UAW Local 2069 has made a difference in many veterans’ lives as well. We’re thrilled to have this opportunity at the D-Day Memorial. As for me speaking at the National Memorial on Veterans Day, although humbling and a bit intimidating as you can imagine, I’m truly honored and thankful to have this opportunity in front of my family, friends and fellow veterans on such an important and special day.”

Also on Veterans Day, two new detailed busts featuring British Field Marshall Montgomery and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill will be dedicated, as well as an amazing new statue in the English Channel; a surf and invasion scene of medics responding to calls from wounded soldiers.

The Veterans Day services begin promptly at 11:00 am.