ABOUT THE AUTHORS: Patrick Brady, a retired U.S. Army major general, Jack Jacobs, a retired U.S. Army colonel, Britt Slabinski, a retired U.S. Navy master chief petty officer, and Will Swenson, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel, are Medal of Honor recipients. They serve as members of the Board of Directors for the National Medal of Honor Museum, which opened in Arlington, Texas, this year.

As recipients of the Medal of Honor, our nation’s highest award for valor in combat, we’ve witnessed firsthand the profound sacrifices made to preserve the American way of life. It is with this deep understanding of service and sacrifice that we now urge swift action on a crucial piece of legislation: S.858, the Hershel “Woody” Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act.

This bill, currently under consideration by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee, is not merely about erecting a monument; it’s about solidifying the foundational values that bind us as a nation.

The proposed National Medal of Honor Monument on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., will not be dedicated to any single individual. Instead, it will serve as a testament to all who have served and to the core principles of courage, sacrifice, integrity and patriotism that are shared human values the Medal has represented since it was established by President Abraham Lincoln in 1861.

These are the ideals we must instill in future generations, and this monument will serve as a powerful, tangible reminder of their enduring importance.

This legislation represents the final step in a process that began with unanimous congressional approval in 2021 for the monument’s establishment in the National Capital Region. In January, the House unanimously passed the Monument Location Act in the first weeks of the new Congress. The monument’s design will be modest and respectful, and crucially, the entire project is fully funded by private donations. It is ready to proceed the moment S.858 is enacted.

In a political climate often characterized by division, this monument stands as a beacon of unity. The Medal of Honor has been awarded to Americans from every walk of life, every racial and ethnic background, and every state, across every conflict since the Civil War. There is no better project to represent the spirit of national unity and selfless service that our country so desperately needs right now.

We respectfully implore the Committee to act swiftly and advance this unifying bill.

S.858 offers a rare opportunity to honor not only service members and Medal of Honor recipients, but the profound American ideals we all aspire to uphold. We believe this legislation deserves the swift and unanimous support of the Senate. This is about so much more than concrete and steel; it’s about cementing our shared heritage and inspiring future generations with the very best of what it means to be an American. Every person is capable of doing something extraordinary in service to others.