War On Terrorism Memorial Bill Completes Legislation

The House of Delegates passed House Bill 3398 on day 60 of the 2023 legislative session.

The measure is meant to preserve the memory of West Virginia soldiers killed in action in the conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other locations involved in the United States’ war on global terrorism. 

A monument will be constructed on the State Capitol grounds to recognize and honor the West Virginians who were killed in action during these conflicts.

Del. Bill Ridenour,  R-Jefferson, a Marine Corps officer and veteran in the global war on terrorism spoke on the House floor of the friends and fellow soldiers he lost in this war, including on September 11, 2001. 

“In 2001, I was about 100 yards away from the left wing tip of the plane that slammed into the Pentagon on 911. Our intelligence watch section was burned to death in the inferno. Other friends were killed as well, and many others barely escaped with their lives.” Ridenour said. “I then spent the next couple of months on a Navy team combating terrorism threats, and going to funerals. I missed many of the funerals while I focused on those threats. The next 10 years were spent doing counterterrorism, losing friends in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as other areas of the world. So this is somewhat personal to me.”

House Bill 3389 passed with a 98 to 0 vote. It now goes to the governor for his signature.