Local man honors veterans with D-Day museum, travels to Normandy every year

FAIRMONT, W.Va (WDTV) – Terry Burton was a Royal and United States Air Forces pilot for thirty-two years. Since moving to Fairmont in 2019, he has transformed some of his property into a D-Day museum. He says the day should never be forgotten.

“Thousands buried all across Europe who never came home here to America, and I remember all the pain and suffering of their mom and their dads, their grandparents, their wife, their children, their loved ones were left on the beaches,” said Terry Burton, Fairmont resident and 1944/WWII/Holocaust Museum owner.

Over 4,000 Allied troops were killed on June 6, 1944. Burton has a collection of artifacts like uniforms, pictures, and more commemorating the day. The ex-pilot is grateful for the public’s help in keeping his operation running.

“A lot of people come by and give old uniforms, maps, medals, and things they don’t want anymore that belonged to their grandfathers; they say it’s better off here than in their closets,” said Burton.

The 81-year-old, who survived The Blitz, hopes folks will stop by before he travels to Paris on Sunday one final time for the 80th commemoration of D-DAY.

“Resting on first class on air France, going to Paris for two weeks to take part in the displays, meeting up with a load of old 98 and 100-year-old D-day veterans, and I don’t know how they keep going,” said Terry Burton, Fairmont resident and 1944/WWII/Holocaust Museum owner.

The museum will be open on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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