Senator Justice Honors West Virginia Veterans with Replacement Medals in Boone County

MADISON, WV - Today, Senator Jim Justice released the following statement after presenting replacement medals to West Virginia veterans:

"Our veterans are truly the greatest among us. They give so much and ask for so little in return. It was a real honor for me to present Specialist Lester Ferrell with his well-deserved replacement service medals and to help return a piece of Marine Corps Corporal Larry Kennedy's life and legacy to his sisters. Replacing these medals is a small token of my gratitude for their courage, their sacrifice, and their service," said Senator Jim Justice.

BACKGROUND:

• Senator Justice returned replacement medals to Specialist Lester Ferrell and to the sisters of late Marine Corps Corporal Larry Kennedy.
• Specialist Lester Ferrell is a U.S. Army Vietnam veteran who continues serving today as a member of the VFW honor guard.
• Marine Corps Corporal Larry Scott Kennedy was killed in action when his aircraft was shot down in Vietnam, and his medals were later stolen in a burglary.
• A fellow veteran-who promised Kennedy's mother her son would never be forgotten-contacted Senator Justice to obtain the medals.
• After working with the National Personnel Records Center and the U.S. Marine Corps, Senator Justice and his team secured numerous replacement medals, including the Purple Heart.

# # #