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. # # #