Arizona Congressional delegation’s request also honors all 16 million Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airmen who served in the armed forces from 1941-1945
WASHINGTON – Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema and the entire Arizona Congressional delegation requested President Biden’s support for a non-presidential state funeral honoring the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from World War II.
“Four Arizona WWII veterans received the Medal of Honor for their bravery and selfless service. We’re requesting a non-presidential state funeral to rightfully honor these incredible Arizonans, all who served in World War II, and our last surviving WWII Medal of Honor recipient for fighting to keep our country safe and secure,” said Sinema, a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee.
“The Greatest Generation stormed the beaches of Normandy, sailed across the Pacific, and trekked throughout Europe to secure freedom in the United States and across the world,” said Rep. David Schweikert. “The heroes from World War II deserve every honor our country can give them, and that includes paying our respects to the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from this war, Mr. Hershel ‘Woody’ Williams. To pay tribute to his heroic actions in battle, and those of each soldier that bravely fought for our country, I am requesting President Biden hold a non-presidential state funeral for Mr. Williams. By doing this, our nation can offer a final honor and salute to Mr. Williams and the millions of American heroes from World War II.”
“President Biden, using his sole authority, to grant a State Funeral for the past medal of honor from WWII will serve as the final salute to the greatest generation. Only the President can make this designation. And 35 million American families that claim a parent or grandparent that served in WWII will be extremely appreciative to the President,” said Ellen Wesley, the Arizona Chairman of State Funeral for World War II Veterans.
“The approximately 300,000 remaining veterans of the Second World War will benefit from a State Funeral in Washington D.C. for the final Medal of Honor recipient from World War II,” said Lee William “Bill” McNutt, Co-Founder and National Chairman. “This will be a final salute to the greatest generation.”
Four Arizonans—Joseph Foss, Silvestre Herrera, Manuel V. Mendoza, and Max Thompson—have received the Medal of Honor for their service in World War II. Sinema’s letter requests that the state funeral honors the country’s last surviving Medal of Honor recipient, all 473 Medal of Honor recipients, and the millions of servicemembers who served in WWII.
Sinema was joined on the letter by Senator Mark Kelly, Congressman Tom O’Halleran (AZ-01), Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick (AZ-02), Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-03), Congressman Paul Gosar (AZ-04), Congressman Andy Biggs (AZ-05), Congressman David Schweikert (AZ-06), Congressman Ruben Gallego (AZ-07), Congresswoman Debbie Lesko (AZ-08), and Congressman Greg Stanton (AZ-09).
Click HERE to read the letter.