Medal of Honor recipient Hershel W. “Woody” Williams speaks during the General Session of The American Legion 98th National Convention at the Duke Energy Convention Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Tuesday, August 30. Photo by Clay Lomneth/The American Legion

'For them, the war is never over'

Medal of Honor recipient Hershel “Woody” Williams wants people to remember those who gave their lives in service to their country. But during an Aug. 30 address to The American Legion’s National Convention in Cincinnati he also called on Legionnaires to remember others as well.

“For those who lost a loved one protecting our country and protecting us … for (them), the war never ceases,” said Williams, a Marine Corps veteran and charter member of Post 177 in West Virginia. “The war is never over.

“And yet there is great thanksgiving because we have people who love their country so much, (and) want to protect their family and their values that they’re willing to go to battle and, if necessary, sacrifice their life.”

The 92-year-old Williams, who received the medal for his actions during the Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II, also asked Legionnaires to keep the country’s first responders in their thoughts. “There are others every day – not only in our military, but those in our community – place their life on the line every day,” he said. “They do that not knowing when they get up in the morning and go to their job in the fire department or in law enforcement that they’re going to get back home.

“Every time a fire truck leaves the station, every time a dispatcher answers the call for help … their lives go on the line. I have said to many of them, ‘I believe and feel that you are under more stress than I was when I was facing the Japanese.' I knew my life was on the line, and I knew there was somebody out there who wanted to kill me. They have no idea when they jump in that cruiser and answer that call, or when they jump on that fire truck and speed to a burning home, they have no idea what they’re going to face. Could we take just a moment, center our thoughts and then give them a round of applause and thanks for their service.”

Earlier in the day, Williams joined Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in presenting awards to the six Spirit of Service winners.