Bush dedicates National D-Day Memorial in Virginia

The memorial depicts allied forces storming the beaches of Normandy

BEDFORD, Virginia (CNN) -- Saying the soldiers who stormed the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944, "changed the course of history," President Bush on Wednesday dedicated a national memorial to the veterans of D-Day on the 57th anniversary of history's largest invasion.

In a speech filled with patriotic overtones, Bush cited stories of brothers who fought and died on the beaches of northern France, of parents who waited for the return of their boys, and of a U.S. soldier whose daughter was born while he was away.

"Whatever it is about America that has given us such citizens, it is the greatest quality we have -- and may it never leave us," Bush said.

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"Today we give thanks for all that was gained on the beaches of Normandy," Bush said. "We remember what was lost with respect, admiration and love. The great enemies of that era have vanished, and it is one of history's remarkable turns that so many young men from the New World would cross the sea to help liberate the Old. Beyond the peaceful beaches and quiet cemeteries lies a Europe whole and free."

Bush said despite all odds, the more than 150,000 troops from America and 11 other Allied countries fulfilled Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower's order of the day: "Nothing short of complete victory."

The National D-Day Memorial is situated on an 88-acre site in Bedford, Virginia, a town 10 miles east of the Blue Ridge Mountains that endured the highest number of deaths per capita of any American community on D-Day.

Twenty-one of the 35 soldiers from the town of 3,200 who landed in France were killed that day, including 19 in the first 15 minutes.

"Upon this beautiful town fell the heaviest share of American losses on D-Day," said Bush. "When people come here it is important to see the town as the monument itself. Here were the images these soldiers carried with them, and the thoughts when they were afraid. This is the place they left behind, and here was the life they dreamed of returning to. They did not yearn to be heroes. They longed for those long summer nights again."

D-Day began the liberation of northwestern Europe from the Nazis. It was the largest air, land and sea landing ever undertaken and included more than 5,000 ships, nearly 11,000 airplanes and 50,000 military vehicles.

Nearly 10,000 Allied troops were killed or wounded, including 6,600 American casualties.

The memorial includes a 9-acre outdoor monument and three plazas representing aspects of "Operation Overlord," which was commanded by Eisenhower.

An English garden in the form of Eisenhower's SHAEF patch (Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force) represents the planning and preparation of the invasion, which took place in England.

A "Victory Plaza" represents victory and consolidation. Its centerpiece is a 44-foot, 6-inch granite arch inscribed with the word OVERLORD.

Beneath the arch is the sculpture "Final Tribute," an inverted rifle stuck in the ground by its bayonet, with a helmet and dog tags resting on top -- a symbol of the temporary graves of soldiers who died in combat.

The plaza also contains five points of inlaid granite that represent the five Allied invasion beaches in Normandy: Omaha, Utah, Gold, Sword and Juno. Flags of the 12 Allied nations that supplied forces and/or materials for the landing ring the perimeter.

On the other side of the Atlantic Wednesday, veterans of the successful invasion gathered -- as they have each year since -- on a Normandy beach to reflect on the sacrifice of those who participated, and to honor their fallen comrades.

Survivors of the battle such as Ray Nance of Bedford, who was a member of the 116th Regiment of the 29th Infantry Division, still struggle for an explanation of why they survived when their best friends died.

"I've never known for sure why I was spared," said Nance. "I guess I never will know."