D-Day memorial in Bedford needs help now

Congress should swiftly approve a bill authorizing the National Park Service to study taking on a role in managing the troubled National D-Day Memorial in Bedford.

Shortly before the 65th anniversary of the Normandy invasion, officials at the privately run memorial delivered some unsettling but unsurprising news: The landmark, set in the scenic Blue Ridge foothills between Lynchburg and Roanoke, is in a financial mess again.

The announcement prompted Sens. Mark Warner and Jim Webb to submit a bill this week calling for the study. A similar measure is pending in the House, with two members from Hampton Roads, Reps. Glenn Nye and Bobby Scott, among the co-sponsors.

Like many nonprofits, the foundation that operates the museum has seen a decline in donations and its endowment fund in recent months. The memorial's yearly budget is $2.2 million, with $600,000 covered by ticket revenues, gift shop sales and tours. Even with cutbacks, officials say the remaining revenue from donations and the endowment isn't enough to keep the site going.

Unfortunately, the memorial has never been on firm financial footing. Not long after the memorial's dedication ceremony in 2001, the foundation declared bankruptcy and became the subject of federal fraud charges - later dropped - centering on allegations that a former official had overstated donations to secure bank financing.

The foundation struggled its way out of debt, but it needs help weathering this storm.

Skeptics have long questioned the wisdom of locating the memorial in Bedford, far from the nation's capital or another major city. But the site has undeniable power - Bedford suffered more per-capita losses in the invasion than anywhere else in the nation - that's enhanced by its peaceful, picturesque setting. Also, the memorial is near several popular vacation destinations, including Smith Mountain Lake and Jefferson National Forest.

As Congress takes up the future of the D-Day Memorial, lawmakers should bear in mind that there are many places where the National Park Service's expertise is sorely needed these days, including historic Fort Monroe in Hampton.

A complete takeover of the D-Day Memorial by the agency should be studied, but other, less expensive options may be available, too. A broader public-private partnership, involving oversight from a major university and the Park Service, might be all that's needed to bring long-awaited financial security to the landmark.