Earlier this year, the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford announced that it did not have enough money to sustain operations through the end of the year.  Since then, Senator Warner and members of Virginia's congressional delegation have made several attempts to help keep the memorial open.

Yesterday, he was successful.  During late night negotiations on the Senate floor, Senator Warner was able to amend the Senate's defense authorization bill to include language that directs the U.S. Department of the Interior to study the feasibility of adding the National D-Day Memorial to the list of monuments and historic sites owned and operated by the U.S. National Park Service. 

The provision was introduced by Senator Warner and co-sponsored by Senator Jim Webb and is similar to stand-alone legislation they introduced on June 8. 

Senator Warner said today:

“I am grateful to the Senate leadership for allowing us to add this amendment to the defense bill and for recognizing that Park Service stewardship of the D-Day Memorial could ensure that Bedford's sacrifice continues to occupy a permanent and prominent place in the story of America.  I believe it is appropriate that our efforts to preserve the Bedford D-Day Memorial are part of significant bipartisan legislation that also ensures that today's military men and women -- and their families -- get the additional support that they need and deserve.”  

The defense spending bill, which authorizes $130 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan during Fiscal Year 2010 that begins October 1, also provides financial and logistical support to thousands of military families throughout Virginia. It includes a much deserved pay raise, upgrades to equipment and weapons, and improvements to health care when veterans return home.