Washington, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources National Parks Subcommittee received testimony on H.R. 2717, the Hershel “Woody” Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act. The bipartisan legislation, named after the last surviving World War II Medal of Honor recipient and proud son of West Virginia who passed away in June 2022, would locate the proposed monument within the Reserve of the National Mall in Washington, D.C, creating a space for all Americans to pay tribute to recipients of our nation’s highest award for valor in combat and reflect on the values they—and the Medal—stand for. The modest monument near the Lincoln Memorial will cement the Medal as part of the 16th President’s enduring legacy.

 

Chris Cassidy, National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation President and CEO, said: “We are grateful for Senator Angus King and his colleagues on the National Parks Subcommittee for placing the Hershel “Woody” Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act on the agenda of today’s hearing. As a native of Maine myself, I have long-respected Senator King’s work to support and honor America’s servicemembers. I am also extremely proud of the bipartisan nature of this project as demonstrated by the bill’s unanimous passage in the House of Representatives last year.

 

Throughout his lifetime, Woody Williams was a staunch advocate for veterans and Gold Star families. While naming this piece of legislation in his honor pays tribute to his tireless work, passing it into law would not only immortalize Woody’s legacy but also those of the 3,517 extraordinary Americans who have earned the Medal of Honor through their actions above and beyond the call of duty in service to country and their fellow citizens. In a week when another Medal of Honor recipient sadly passed away, we urge the Senate to act swiftly, ensuring the establishment of a Monument that will inspire generations of Americans and remind us of the courage, sacrifice, integrity, commitment, and patriotism of those who fought for the freedoms we enjoy today and encourage us all to continue the work of creating and preserving a more perfect union which is also the legacy of President Lincoln who established the Medal of Honor.”

 

Medal of Honor recipient Britt Slabinski, Retired Master Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL), added: “The Medal of Honor doesn’t belong to a person or even a generation – it is a torch passed through time. The values represented by the Medal transcend time and place, reaching all the way from its creation by President Lincoln 160 years ago through today. The Medal of Honor is a reminder for us all that people can accomplish seemingly impossible things and that we all have the potential within us to be extraordinary.”

 

The creation of the monument in Washington, D.C. will complement the future National Medal of Honor Museum, scheduled to open in March 2025 in Arlington, Texas, as well as the newly established National Medal of Honor Griffin Institute, which promotes character-based leadership built on the foundation of the Medal of Honor values. No federal funds will be used to build the monument. The National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation will be responsible for raising funds to cover expenses associated with the project.

 

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About the National Medal of Honor Museum, Monument and Griffin Institute: The National Medal of Honor Museum, Monument and Griffin Institute will inspire individuals by honoring and preserving the history of the highest military decoration awarded for valor in combat.

  

The Museum, opening in 2025, will serve as a national landmark located in America’s heartland in Arlington, Texas, and provide an unrivaled, interactive visitor experience that commemorates the historical thread of sacrifice, patriotism, and courage that connects members of the United States military service past and present. It is the Museum’s mission to tell the stories of Medal of Honor recipients in a dynamic and interactive setting that will inspire visitors to recognize the potential for the extraordinary that resides in us all. 

 

Through dynamic and far-reaching curriculum and programming, the National Medal of Honor Griffin Institute is bringing to life the core values inherent to the Medal of Honor in classrooms, boardrooms, and communities around the country.

 

In 2021, The National Medal of Honor Monument Act was signed into law, paving the way for the monument’s placement in Washington, D.C. Soon, Americans and visitors of every nation will have the opportunity to reflect on the values represented by those whose selfless and courageous actions have served to safeguard freedom and democracy the world over.

 

For more information please visit the National Medal of Honor Museum website or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.