WOODSTOCK, Va. (WHSV) – After the tragic events of 9/11, the Woodstock Armory and National Guard closed its doors to the public. Twenty-three years later, the doors are re-opened to remember another moment in America’s history: D-Day.
On June 6, 1944, Allied forces stormed the beaches of Normandy, France, marking the largest military land invasion in U.S. history. To commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day, military artist Keith Rocco designed a traveling exhibit and drew inspiration from his late father, a World War II (WWII) combat veteran.
“I realized how many veterans we’re losing everyday — WWII veterans that is — and people that even just experienced that time period,” Rocco said.
The D-Day Omaha Beach Traveling Exhibit pays tribute to the brave men and women who served in WWII, both on the battlefield and on the home front. The exhibit honors the time and effort devoted to protecting the country and memorializes those who went as far as sacrificing their lives.
“Most every American has someone involved, doesn’t have to be the military …. just by their efforts of rationing that those supplies could then go to the military to eventually win the war,” Rocco said.
Visitors can view scenes that transports them back to the 1940s, such as a victory garden complete with bunnies and volunteers in period clothing, and mannequins staged as soldiers landing on Normandy. There are also military vehicles, period weapons and other artifacts brought in by community collectors.
Rocco said around 80% to 85% of the pieces are real antiques. The only replicas are of items too fragile to transport, mannequins and prop buildings.
Rocco said he is most proud of the D-Day video, designed by himself and friends, accompanied by two dioramas. The miniature 3D scene depicts the land and sea battle at Normandy and took nearly three months to complete. It pays tribute to the over 4,000 men who died in the battle.
The exhibit also honors WWII servicemen in Shenandoah County. Spearheaded by the local Daughter’s of the American Revolution, the armory’s hallway is lined with stars honoring veterans and the fallen. Visitors can add names if they have a relative who served.
“It’s touching,” Rocco said. “A lot of tears have been shed in that Hall of Valor when they recognize their relatives.”
The wall started out with around 200 stars, but now there are more than 1,000 names.
Rocco is from Woodstock, but he’s traveled alongside his exhibit to Washington D.C and Pennsylvania. The next stop is back in Washington at the French Embassy with future tours scheduled in the Midwest.
Rocco said he hopes the exhibit will act as a reminder that no matter how many decades pass, some things never change.
“Grandparents and their great grandparents were young [too],” Rocco said. “They experienced some horrific things, they sacrificed a lot for this country. There was a time 80 years ago that this world could have easily fallen under the rule of dictators and wannabe dictators, and I think we’re in an situation today that the world is facing this once again.”
The exhibit opened Oct. 8 and will close Sunday. The exhibit is open this upcoming Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.
To learn more about the Shenandoah County Historical Society and the exhibit, you can click here.
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