Trending
Anyone who has followed my writings over the 40-plus years I worked fulltime for this newspaper would have noticed my appreciation and affection for the military veterans in this Ohio Valley.
During those years, I met many veterans from World War II, the Korean War, Desert Storm and so on. Among those troops was West Virginia's own CWO4 Hershel Woodrow "Woody" Williams who died June 29 at the age of 98. At the time of his death, Woody was the last living World War II Congressional Medal of Honor recipient.
Marine veteran John Nanny of Wheeling, who also died this year, introduced me to Woody decades ago. Woody was not a big man in stature, but he was someone you immediately looked up to as he spoke. He carried himself the way Marines always do -- larger than life.
Woody was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery and heroic actions at Iwo Jima, where he used a flamethrower to take out the enemy, saving the lives of many of his own comrades. But if you ever had a chance to hear him speak, he made sure that he shared the limelight with all those who served and died for this country.
When I had the opportunity to speak one-on-one with Woody, we shared common laughs about being from large families. He was one of 11, and I have 11 siblings. He was a gentle giant when it came to making speeches. You could hear a pin drop when he spoke, as his words were so very poignant.
Much has been written about Woody since his passing. While most saw him as the hero on the battlefield, I'd like to think of him as a hero for what he did after his military stint was over. He cared about all veterans and their families. His legacy will always include the Gold Star Families Memorial Monuments his foundation initiated across the country. He felt deeply for the families of the soldiers who didn't make it home, and the foundation was his way of saying thanks for those sacrifices.
Woody was not the only hero who passed away recently. Robert "Dale" Sigler of Moundsville was 96 when he died on June 28. He shared 20 years of service in the U.S. Navy and Marines. And he didn't hang up his uniform after that. He was a lifelong member of the VFW, American Legion and Marine Corps League.
Dale was faithful in attending the funerals of other veterans, always offering a salute to those who had passed. He stood shoulder to shoulder with many other aging veterans who gave their time to honor others. Dale was the last of his parents' six children to pass. Dale is survived by his wife, Shirley.
There aren't many of these veterans with us today.
If you are lucky enough to know one, count your blessings. I know I was grateful to have stood in their shadows.
Heather Ziegler can be reached via email at hziegler@theintelligencer.net.