CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Veterans Memorial was rededicated Tuesday afternoon by Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin and others in a ceremony at the State Capitol Complex in honor of Veterans Day Wednesday.
The governor was joined in front of the statue by the members of the West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance and the West Virginia National Guard, along with other state and local leaders to cut the ribbon.
“I can’t believe that it’s been 25 years since we originally dedicated it,” said Herschel “Woody” Williams, the state’s only living Medal of Honor recipient. “Unbelievable how time has flown. But this is something that really needed to be done.”
West Virginia Coal Association President Bill Raney, who also served in the state Army Guard, said the statue and wall means a lot to him.
“It’s so important because West Virginia has given so much to their veterans and this memorial is emblematic of that,” Raney said. It’s just something we’re so proud of. Not only are we an energy state, but we’re a military state.”
Williams was in awe of the monument and the amount of names on it.
“It looks beautiful. When we pay tribute to the 11,000 names on this wall, regardless of how we do it, it’s got to stir emotions in our hearts; in our being,” Williams said. “Every one of these individuals I’m told died in combat.”
Raney praised West Virginia’s reputation for military service and patriotism.
“We’ve done more to probably support America’s freedom than any other state in the country per capita. A lot of brave men and women and their names are on this wall, and a lot of them continue to live,” said Raney. “Tomorrow will be a great day because its a chance for everyone to say thanks to those that served.”
The ceremony featured prayers, a speech from the governor and a rendition of taps following the ribbon cutting.