Manchin, Miller Lead Bicameral Effort to Enclose Veteran Committal Shelters in Honor of Woody Williams

Manchin, Miller Lead Bicameral Effort to Enclose Veteran Committal Shelters in Honor of Woody Williams

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (I-WV) and U.S. Representative Carol Miller (R-WV) introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Hershel "Woody" Williams State Committal Shelter Act. This legislation would require the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to create a pilot program to construct or renovate three committal shelters at state-owned veterans' cemeteries, with at least one of those three shelters being located in Appalachia, to ensure attendees of burial services at such cemeteries are protected from inclement weather. This effort honors Woody Williams' final request before he passed away in 2022.

"Woody Williams was a true American hero and a tireless advocate for all Veterans and their family members. Over the years, my staff and I worked with Woody on too many issues to name, and I'm proud to introduce this legislation with Representative Miller to honor his final request of enclosing committal shelters at VA cemeteries," said Senator Manchin. "Enclosing these shelters would ensure that the families of our fallen servicemembers have a safe place to lay their loved ones to rest, protected from the weather throughout the year. I will do everything I can to ensure the bill's passage and the pilot program's success."

"When grieving the loss of a loved one at a funeral, the last thing any person should have to worry about is bad weather. That's why I joined Senator Manchin in introducing the Hershel 'Woody' Williams State Committal Shelter Act. This bill will honor Woody's wishes by constructing new or enclosing current shelters in state-owned veterans' cemeteries to ensure that those mourning are protected from harsh weather conditions that may negatively impact the ceremony. Members of our military sacrifice so much for our nation, the least we can do is ensure that their families can have a proper service for them without any disruptions," said Congresswoman Miller.

Hershel "Woody" Williams signed up for the Marine Corps in Charleston, West Virginia in May 1943 during the height of World War II. Woody Williams earned the Medal of Honor for his unshakeable courage and commitment beyond the call of duty during the battle of Iwo Jima. Of the 472 recipients of the Medal of Honor from World War II, Woody Williams was the last surviving one. Williams died at the age of 98 on June 29, 2022. In recognition of the sacrifices of Woody and all his fellow servicemembers of World War II, his flag-draped casket laid in honor in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda in Washington, DC.

In February 2024, Senator Manchin questioned the Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs, National Cemetery Administration, VA, on enclosing committal shelters in VA cemeteries.

The full text of the legislation is available here.