The Woody Williams Foundation, founded by the late World War II veteran Hershel Woodrow 'Woody' Williams, aims to continue his legacy of honoring Gold Star families nationwide.
World War II veteran
Williams, who would have turned 99 on Sunday, was the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from World War II when he died on June 29. Born Oct. 2, 1923, in Quiet Dell, West Virginia, Williams joined the Marine Corps in 1943 and fought in the Battle of Iwo Jima, during which his valiant actions with a flamethrower earned him the nation's highest military decoration from President Harry S. Truman in 1945.
Graham, who is also Williams' grandson, explained to Fox News Digital how the memorial monuments also perpetually serve as"a forward operating base for all of the mission-focused activities" the foundation does to help Gold Star families in their respective communities, which includes offering scholarships to their children.
President Harry S. Truman congratulates Hershel "Woody" Williams upon receiving the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Iwo Jima on Oct. 5, 1945, at the White House., Williams maintained that he had"absolutely no memory" of the events that took place Feb. 23, 1945, on Iwo Jima and earned him his Medal of Honor.
Graham emphasized that his grandfather's Christian faith was central to his life and work."He was our spiritual leader in our family, and he shared that leadership with my grandmother, who was a huge part of that," he said."I would say those were shared and dual roles, in terms of our family." After the war, walls of fire afflicted Williams in his recurring nightmares. After his wife and two young daughters coaxed him to church on Easter in 1962, Williams became a Christian after hearing a sermon from a large, boisterous West Virginia preacher, who spoke about"the sacrifice of the Lord." The pastor's words returned his mind to those Marines who also sacrificed themselves for him. He changed his life and his nightmares stopped.
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