CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Today, U.S.
Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), and
Representatives David McKinley (R-W.Va.), Carol Miller (R-W.Va.) and Alex
Mooney (R-W.Va.) announced Hershel “Woody” Williams will lie in state at the
U.S. Capitol in the coming weeks.
“Having
the last WWII Medal of Honor recipient lie in state in the U.S. Capitol
reflects the respect and gratitude we owe to an entire generation of veterans
who have given so much to our country,” Senator Capito said. “Woody’s
tremendous display of bravery and acts of valor on the battlefield earned him
the Medal of Honor, and it’s for these reasons that he deserves this tremendous
honor, which will also honor the millions of men and women who have risked
their lives during the war so we can enjoy the freedoms we have today. While we
have lost one of the best West Virginians we’ve ever known, his lifetime of
service and incredible legacy will be with us forever.”
“Last
week we lost Woody Williams, a great American hero and the last surviving World
War II Medal of Honor recipient. Governor Justice and his team hosted a
beautiful celebration of Woody’s life that was worthy of the tremendous legacy
Woody leaves behind and allowed our fellow Mountaineers to honor Woody,” Senator
Manchin said. “One of Woody’s last wishes was to lie in state at the U.S.
Capitol, not for himself, but to represent all World War II Medal of Honor
recipients. Senator Capito and I are proud to announce that we have secured a
commitment for the last of the Greatest Generation, Woody Williams of Quiet
Dell, to lie in state at the U.S. Capitol in the coming weeks. We are
grateful to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader Mitch
McConnell, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and House Minority Leader Kevin
McCarthy for their bipartisan work to make this happen. This recognition
is the best way to honor the sacrifices Woody and all of his fellow servicemen
and women made for our great nation, and I know that Woody is smiling down
on us as we honor his last wish.”
“Woody
Williams dedicated his life to the service of our nation,” Congresswoman
Miller said. “Even this final honor, to lie in state in the U.S. Capitol,
was something Woody wanted for his fellow World War II Medal of Honor
recipients and not himself. Tireless commitment to his fellow veterans and
countrymen embodies the very person Woody Williams was, and this recognition
will honor not just Woody but all World War II Medal of Honor recipients. I'm
thankful to join with Senators Capito and Manchin and Congressmen Mooney and
McKinley as we fulfill a wish of Woody's years in the making, laying in state
the final World War II Medal of Honor recipient to represent a generation of
service.”
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