Memorial bankrupt D-Day complex seeks Chapter 11 protection

Roanoke Times ^ | November 9, 2002 | CHRIS KAHN

[putupon]

ROANOKE - The National D-Day Memorial Foundation in Bedford has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to protect the $25 million monument from creditors while it struggles with a massive debt, foundation officials said yesterday.

The memorial, which has trimmed a $7 million debt to about $4 million since acknowledging its financial troubles last year, sought bankruptcy protection when its creditors continued to push for a regular payment agreement, said Peter Viemeister, chairman of the foundation's board of directors.

[putupon]

Incorrect title on link, should read "Richmond Times Dispatch" my bad

[FryingPan101]

"In June, former President Richard B. Burrow was indicted on four counts of fraud. Burrow pleaded not guilty to the charges and faces trial in December." "Meanwhile, the foundation continues to receive small checks from community leaders and organizations." My dad was among the first dropped on Normandy. He was an 18 year old kid. He has given "small checks" to this organization for years to help out just like hundreds of his friends. What happened?

[ChadGore]

Let's help them.

[Petronski]

What is this? Have they built the monument yet? I've never heard of it.

Maybe in addition to financial restructuring they should hire a new PR department.

[putupon]

What is this? Have they built the monument yet?

Yes, click on the link and you can see a pic. I don't know about the advertisement around the country, they always get plenty of free press aroung 6-6 in Virginia. The memorial is located there because that area lost almost all the young men from that area on D-Day as their reserve unit was assigned to hit (Utah?) Beach where the Germans had an impossible position to take.

[TopQuark]

The article really tries to pull us to the sideof the Foundation. BUt read:

foundation members agreed to build with borrowed money.

No, it is the creditors that agreed: the Foundation can only ask for a loan. When they singed that loan, they made certain promisses, and it looks like those promisses were false. The word "fraud" is a giveaway.

[Nick The Freeper]

Here is the link to their site - www.dday.org. My wife and I went there last fall. It was nice and the people were knowledgeable, but it seemed to be lacking something for me. I’m not sure what, but I was hoping for a little more.

[Dems_R_Losers]

I went there in August. The memorial is beautiful but REALLY large. I think they bit off more than they could chew. Bedford is hard to get to and this memorial was never going to draw huge crowds. They should have built something smaller and less expensive.

[RaceBannon]

I just want to ask something to make this clear, THIS IS NOT?? THE WAR MEMORIAL that Bob Dole and Tom Hanks are trying to get to Washington DC?

This is a separate one?

[putupon]

This is a separate one?

Yes, I think the DC one will be paid for by taxpayers and covers all of WWII. The Bedford one is going to be paid for by ??? and is a D-Day specific memorial.

[TwoSue]

My husband and I were fortunate to go there the day Pres. Bush was there - June 2001!

[cmotormac44]

the WW2 Memorial is being built on the mall between the Lincoln memorial and Washington Monument---to my understanding, ALL costs of construction have been given by citizens and various private companies and veterans organizations---as a WW2 veteran of Normandy I sent a donation for construction and will have my name placed on one of the panels--my sons and daughters also sent donations in my name as can anyone who wishes to help-

[Ligeia]

Update: A boost for Bedford

[Militiaman7]

Thanks for the update.

I would hope Virginia would see the wisdom of linking Bedford and Interstate 81.

IMHO, every American should visit the D-Day Memorial.

[Ligeia]

Do you have a link to the thread where you posted your photos?

[Ligeia]

I couldn't find the FR link either. I was hoping you had it bookmarked. Thanks for heads-up by freepmail. The D-Day Memorial is an inspirational place. For those who've never seen it, I found some photos here via a Google search.