GOVERNOR LAURA KELLY, FRIDAY HONORED KANSAS GOLD STAR FAMILIES WITH THE UNVEILING OF THE PERMANENT MONUMENT ON THE GROUNDS OF THE KANSAS STATE CAPITOL VISITORS CENTER. A GOLD STAR FAMILY IS THE IMMEDIATE FAMILY OF A FALLEN SERVICE MEMBER WHO DIED WHILE SERVING IN A TIME OF CONFLICT. THE MONUMENT HONORS THE FAMILIES OF THE MORE THAN 6,500 KANSAS HEROES.
GOVERNOR KELLY SAYS SHE WAS INSPIRED AFTER HERSHEL “WOODY” WILLIAMS, A RETIRED MARINE CORPS WARRANT OFFICER AND A MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT FROM WORLD WAR II, PERSONALLY CHALLENGED HER TO ADD A GOLD STAR FAMILIES MONUMENT ON STATEHOUSE GROUNDS. WILLIAMS PASSED AWAY IN JUNE. WILLIAMS ON RECEIVING THE MEDAL OF HONOR:
KELLY SAYS WOODY WOULD BE PLEASED TO KNOW THAT KANSAS HAS FULFILLED ITS OBLIGATION TO HAVE A PLACE TO PAY RESPECT TO THE FAMILIES WHOSE LOVED ONES MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE IN SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY.
