Manchin Speaks On Hershel "Woody" Williams' 98th Birthday, Importance of Honoring WWII Medal of Honor Recipients

 

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) spoke on the Senate Floor on Hershel “Woody” Williams’ recent 98^th birthday as the last surviving World War II Medal of Honor recipient and the importance of honoring every brave Word War II Medal of Honor recipient with a State Funeral and lying in state ceremony at the U.S. Capitol.

“Woody Williams has dedicated his life to the United States, through his service in the military and his commitment to advocating for Veterans’ needs for decades after his service. Woody just celebrated his 98^th birthday as the last surviving World War II Medal of Honor recipient and is still bound and determined to get a committal shelter built at the Donel C. Kinnard Memorial State Veterans Cemetery in Dunbar to ensure that the families of our fallen soldiers and Veterans have a safe place to lay their loved ones to rest, protected from the weather throughout the year.

 

“Americans like Woody answered the call to serve our great nation and their sacrifices allow the rest of us to enjoy the freedoms we hold sacred. I believe that honoring all those that served in World War II by allowing the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from World War II to lay in state in the U.S. Capitol rotunda is the least we can do. And what better way to honor this generation and their sacrifices than for the President to authorize a State Funeral for that brave individual.

 

“I can’t think of a better American to represent the sacrifices of the Greatest Generation, and I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join us in our efforts to honor these brave Veterans, and I call on President Biden to grant our request.”

 

Senator Manchin was joined by Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Jon Tester (D-MT) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS),