Several businesses are helping make this weekend's D-Day anniversary events possible.
The premier sponsor is AREVA, and fly-over sponsors are Liberty University, Freedom Aviation, and Dynamic Aviation. Other sponsors include W Abrasives, BB&T, Financial Designs in Forest, Bankers Insurance, and Kirkley Hotel.
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John Moore, the plant manager of W Abrasives says the company donated more than $50,000 over the years because of the significance of the site.
"We get visitors from all around the world and one of the first things we always do is take them to the D-Day memorial," says Moore.
All the events including equipment such as lighting and chairs cost more than $50,000. The flyovers during the ceremony alone would run between $10,000 to $15,000. The president of the National D-Day Memorial Foundation told us the site is privately owned and doesn't receive any government money.
"We rely solely on the help of our businesses and individuals, organizations to come forward and sustain this memorial," says Cheek-Messier.Â
Town Kitchen and Provisions gave the memorial foundation food cards to give to WWII veterans this week for a free meal.
"Each year we see less and less of them and it's really important for us as a community to be patriotic," says Melanie Srsic, owner of Town Kitchen and Provisions.
The locally owned Dominos Pizza is also asking for donations on Friday to give to the memorial too.Â