Contact:  Melissa Reifert
October 27, 2006

Medal of Honor Recipients Give Special Message to Young Americans

Although Colonel Wesley Lee Fox and Corporal Hershel Woodrow “Woody” Williams spoke about different topics during their recent visit to Mountain Empire Community College, both honored guests had a special message for the younger individuals in the audience. Both men are recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force which can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Services of the United States. It is generally presented to its recipient by the President of the United States in the name of Congress. Only 3460 Medals of Honor have been awarded since the decoration’s creation in 1861.

Fox, who received his award for actions that took place in 1969, told students at the program that they needed a road map for their life. “Where are you going with your life,” he asked. “You must prioritize.”

During his presentation, Fox spoke out against alcohol, drugs, and smoking and other tobacco use. “I am 75 years old, and I have never been intoxicated and have never done drugs. Physical fitness is very important. Keep it in your life.”

Williams, who received his medal for actions that took place in 1945, also had a specific message for today’s youth. He encouraged younger individuals placed in certain situations to strive to be good role models. He pointed to his own experience in receiving the Medal of Honor as an instance where he learned to be a role model, whether he wanted to or not.

“We are given two gifts when we are born: life and freedom,” says Williams. Others paid the price that guaranteed me my freedom. There is no way that you and I can ever repay what we have received freely. The only way that we can contribute to that is by being the best American we can be. Be interested in what is going on in this country.”

Both men also spoke about the large number of service men and women who also deserve the Medal of Honor. “I wear the medal for what my Marines did that day, during that fight,” states Fox. “And they are all deserving of the medal.”

Williams concurs, “I am just the caretaker of this medal. I wear it in honor of the two Marines who died protecting my life and for all of the Marines who did not get to go home and raise a family and mow the yard. I was told (when I received it), ‘Don’t ever do anything in your life to tarnish that medal.’”

At the event, Fox and Williams were presented with certificates of appreciation by the Disabled American Veterans. The program was attended by a large audience comprised of veterans, students and faculty from local high schools, community members, and MECC faculty, staff, and students.

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