Title: Co-owner and Curator
Company: Bedford Boys Tribute Center
Location: Bedford, Virginia, United States
Linda L. Parker, Co-Owner and Curator at the Bedford Boys Tribute Center, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Business Owners for dedication, achievements, and leadership in the Nonprofit Sector.
Ms. Parker has distinguished herself as the co-owner and curator of the Bedford Boys Tribute Center in Bedford, Virginia, a role she has held since 2019. Inspired by a profound sense of purpose, she and her husband relocated to Bedford in 2018 after discovering the town and feeling compelled to honor its unique history. Despite having no familial ties to the community or the Bedford Boys, which included 19 soldiers who were killed in the first few minutes of D-Day on Omaha Beach in Northern France, they established the tribute center to ensure these soldiers’ stories would be preserved for future generations. Notably, the town of Bedford, which comprises approximately 3,200 residents, lost more soldiers on D-Day than any other town in the U.S.
In her role at the tribute center, Ms. Parker has dedicated herself to connecting with families and gathering personal stories about the Bedford Boys, ensuring each narrative is represented accurately and with respect. She finds deep fulfillment in these connections, considering them among the most rewarding experiences of her life. Ms. Parker’s approach is rooted in attentive listening and a genuine desire to honor individual experiences without imposing preconceived notions. Her father’s service as a Seabee during World War II is also honored at the center, a source of personal pride that underscores her dedication.
A pivotal influence on Ms. Parker’s latest role was a visit to Vierville-sur-Mer, Normandy, France, overlooking Omaha Beach, the site where the first D-Day landing occurred on June 6, 1944. Witnessing the reverence with which the people of Normandy remember the Bedford Boys inspired her to ensure their story was told properly. In 2025, Ms. Parker led an initiative to design and install a granite plaque listing every Bedford Boy killed or survived on D-Day, as well as all men who landed that day. The dedication ceremony included participation from the French Air Force and became part of the permanent Normandy tour, further cementing her legacy in historical preservation.
Before founding the Bedford Boys Tribute Center, Ms. Parker and her husband had experience in estate planning, which equipped them with the organizational expertise essential to establishing and sustaining a nonprofit institution.
Ms. Parker’s academic background includes a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Nevada, earned in 1972. The discipline and analytical skills developed through her education have supported her success in both financial services and nonprofit leadership.
Beyond her degree, Ms. Parker’s professional journey has been further enriched by her active involvement in several civic-minded organizations. She is a member of Moose, the Greater Federation of Women’s Clubs, and the University Women Association at Smith Mountain Lake, and is a former exalted ruler of the Elks. These affiliations have provided Ms. Parker with valuable opportunities to collaborate within her community.
Ms. Parker’s creative contributions include authoring three children’s books in the Austin & Charlie Adventures series: “Austin & Charlie Adventures: Beach Adventure” in 2006, “Austin & Charlie Adventures: Washington, D.C.” in 2012, and “Austin & Charlie Adventures Across America” in 2018. Inspired by real dogs, these works reflect her passion for storytelling and education. Ms. Parker takes great joy in reading these books to children at local schools, fostering an appreciation for history and adventure among young audiences. Additionally, she created the documentary “We Have Casualties….” in 2024, further demonstrating her commitment to sharing meaningful narratives with broader audiences.
Throughout her life, Ms. Parker has attributed her achievements to several key influences. Among them, she notes her strong work ethic instilled by her parents from an early age, her formative experiences, such as a high school trip to Europe that included a visit to Normandy, and her unwavering dedication to listening deeply to others’ stories.
Looking ahead, Ms. Parker remains committed to expanding the tribute center’s reach and ensuring its sustainability through an endowment fund managed by a board of directors. She envisions her daughter continuing this work so that future generations can learn about local heroes whose stories might otherwise remain untold. Ms. Parker’s ongoing mission is to inspire other communities across the country to honor their own local heroes by preserving their histories for posterity.
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