President Donald Trump traveled to Arlington, Texas, on Thursday to sign legislation authorizing a new monument to the nation’s highest military award, capping a visit that began with him meeting recipients whose service spans more than seven decades of American conflict. The bill clears the way for the memorial to be built on the National Mall and names it for a Marine whose heroism at Iwo Jima became part of the nation’s memory.

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From Breitbart:

Trump signed the “Hershel ‘Woody’ Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act” at the National Medal of Honor Museum in Dallas, Texas, after touring the venue and meeting with recipients of the highest military award in America.

“In the battle of Iwo Jima, he carved a path to American victory—literally carved a path so soldiers could get in and win through a deadly gauntlet of enemy strongholds, and back and forth he went,” Trump said. “He just kept going back and forth.”

Trump, who was honored by the museum with its “Champion of Honor” award, said private donations will pay for the monument, which will be built on the National Mall.

The monument is named for Hershel “Woody” Williams, a Marine who operated a flamethrower at Iwo Jima and was the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from World War II before his death in 2022. Trump called him “one of the most beloved Medal of Honor recipients” and described the legislation as bearing “a long name… but it’s an important name.”

Before signing the bill, the president met with recipients from three conflicts. The first group included Army Maj. Gen. Patrick Brady, Navy Capt. Royce Williams, Army Col. Paris Davis, Army Specialist Four Mike Fitzmaurice, Army Command Sgt. Maj. Gary Littrell, Army Command Sgt. Maj. Terry Richardson, Army Lt. Col. Al Rascon and Army Specialist Five Dwight Birdwell, all of whom served in Vietnam or Korea. A second group included Army Lt. Col. Will Swenson, Army Command Sgt. Maj. Matt Williams, Navy Command Master Chief Britt Slabinski, Army Master Sgt. Earl Plumlee, Army Staff Sgt. David Bellavia, Army Sgt. Maj. Pat Payne, Army Capt. Flo Groberg and Navy Master Chief Ed Byers, all veterans of the Global War on Terror. Museum CEO Troy Bertram was also present.

The Medal of Honor is awarded for acts of valor performed with conspicuous gallantry and risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. Williams received his in 1945 for actions at Iwo Jima, where he repeatedly advanced under heavy fire to neutralize enemy positions with explosives and flamethrowers, clearing a path for American forces despite being wounded.

Scripture speaks often of the courage of those who risk their lives for others, and it commands honor where honor is due. The men recognized in Texas served in wars that are receding from living memory, and monuments exist partly so that later generations will not forget what such service cost. A monument on the National Mall also serves a civic purpose, teaching visitors that American liberty has been defended by ordinary people who acted with extraordinary resolve. Christians can give thanks for their sacrifice and pray for military families still carrying the weight of service.

Let us pray for our nation’s veterans and their families, for those who gave their lives in defense of freedom, and for a nation that remembers the sacrifices that secured it.

How are you praying about this issue? Share your prayers and scriptures in the comments below.

(Excerpt from Breitbart. Photo Credit: Official White House Photo by Molly Riley).