WWII vet brings mission to honor Gold Star Families to Hawaii

KANEOHE, OAHU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Woody Williams is the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from the WWII Battle of Iwo Jima.

And today, he's continuing a mission to establish Gold Star Families memorial monuments across the United States.

Gold Star families are those that have lost a loved one in military service.

The Gold Star first made an appearance during World War I after being placed over a service flag's blue star when a service member was killed in combat. It signified the family's pride in their loved one's sacrifice rather than the mourning of their personal loss.

With the assistance of partners and supporters, Williams' cause has brought him back to the Pacific.

Last weekend, Williams helped dedicate the newest Gold Star Families Memorial Monument. It's at the Hawaiian Memorial Park Cemetery in Kaneohe.

Though the 94-year-old's energy and commitment to this mission is quite extraordinary, he's quick to point out, "This is not about me, it is about them!"

UPS agreed to transport the 15,000 pound monument from Elberton, Ga., where it was created, to Honolulu at no cost.

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