On Thursday, Senator Mark Johnson (R-East Grand Forks) introduced legislation to honor the legacy of servicemen and servicewomen from World War II.  The resolution, S.F.686, would urge the President and Congress to designate a state funeral for the last surviving World War II Medal of Honor Recipient.

“I am honored to carry this resolution as a part of a national effort to commemorate the legacy of sixteen million servicemen and servicewomen who gave so much in defense of this country,” Said Senator Mark Johnson. “Through this resolution, we can offer a teaching moment to younger Americans about the commitment and the sense of duty our veterans have exemplified during their lives.”

Similar efforts are underway in 23 other U.S. states. If passed in Minnesota, the state would become the second to officially request a state funeral for the last Medal of Honor honoree. The state funeral is about more than one man or women and their accomplishments though. It would also be a salute to all million men and women who served during World War II.

Sixteen million Americans served in World War II, but less than half a million are left alive today. At the onset of the war, there were less than 2.8 million people in Minnesota. Despite this 326,000 Minnesota men and women responded to the nation’s call and served in uniform during that historic crisis. All Minnesotans sacrificed in some capacity during the war years, with thousands also serving the cause by growing and processing food for the military and our allies or by working in defense plants.