Woody William’s last request for Gold Star Families Memorial Monument

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) – At the intersection of Memorial Boulevard and 11th Avenue in Huntington, your eye catches the Memorial Arch.

It is a historic piece of architecture that pays tribute to the sacrifice and dedication from those in Cabell County who fought in World War l.

Directly across is another local tie to patriotism, which is the 131st Gold Star Family Memorial Monument.

Hershel ‘Woody’ Williams, a World War ll Medal of Honor recipient from West Virginia, was the driving force behind these monuments through the Woody Williams Foundation.

This Gold Star Monument in Huntington was Woody’s last request before his passing.

“Back on Memorial Day, I believe it was May 28 of ’22, Kim Wolf and I had Woody to the ceremony,” Dan Ferguson said. “After the ceremony, we went a half a block up the street where I live and we were having a conversation and Woody mentioned, ‘Dan I’d like to see a Gold Star Family’s Monument down by the arch.’ One thing led to another, and unfortunately Woody passed the end of June the following month. But, he was able to be told that we put a committee together to start raising money to put the memorial here. It took a while to do it. The dedication day to this memorial was done on October 2, 2023 which was Woody’s 100th birthday.”

A last wish that was carried through and is still standing strong.

Today, you can find Gold Star Family Memorial Monuments all across the country, honoring families who lost loved ones fighting for our country.