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Those who have earned Medals of Honor, gave all they had to the rest of us -- to this country we call home and they were willing to defend. Military veterans, Gold Star Families, Medal of Honor recipients ... all those who sacrificed so much in their service to this country had no greater champion than West Virginia's own Hershel "Woody" Williams, who died in 2022.
And this week, just ahead of the observation of the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, a bill was signed that will create the Hershel “Woody” Williams National Medal of Honor Monument on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
"Today, we got it done, and I couldn't be prouder,” said U.S. Sen. Jim Justice, R-W.Va., who introduced the bill last year. “The service members who earned the Medal of Honor gave everything they had for this country. They didn't ask for recognition. They just stepped up, answered the call, and put America and their fellow Americans ahead of themselves. We owe them a debt we can never repay. Now we can give these heroes a place on the National Mall that will stand for generations.”
Such places are important as we seek to teach future generations how much was given to build the country they must not take for granted.
“When folks walk by that monument, I want them to stop, look at those names, and understand the kind of courage it took to earn that medal,” Justice said. “To have this moment tied to my dear friend Woody Williams makes it extra special, and I know he's smiling down on us."
Now, let us hope President Donald Trump is correct that the monument will be in "the best site in all of Washington."
Those it is meant to honor deserve that. There can be no doubting, they earned it.