BEDFORD.

BEDFORD, United States (AFP) ??” The small Virginia hill town of Bedford has the grim distinction of having experienceed more than any other American community in the the D-Day landings onward Normandy 60 years ago.

Bedford had a population of simply about 3,200 but 19 young men paid the ultimate price upon the French beaches while four others died after Operation Overlord.

Three years ago they were recognized with the massive National D-Day Memorial built in Bedford. And the memory of the local fallen heroes lives upon among their surviving relatives.

Bertie Woodford has meticulously kept World War II epistles written by her late brother.

"Dear Mom Am feeling OK tonight," Captain Taylor Feller then 29 wrote sum of two units weeks before the June 6 1944 beach landings.

Woodford, who has also kept her brother's Purple Heart medal -- awarded for battle pain s -- and a photo album with yellowed