Chicago City Wire

Rep. Brad Stephens (R-Chicago) is promoting a resolution that would grant a state funeral to the last World War II Medal of Honor recipient.

“One part of my work as a state representative that I love doing is honoring our communities’, state’s, and nation’s veterans, especially those who have served our country with courage most of us can only aspire to achieve,” Stephens said. “This resolution ensures that our country’s last living World War II Medal of Honor recipient receives the honorable rites he deserves as his legacy is written into the history of America. This state funeral we urge as a body will also honor the lives of the 352 other Medal of Honor recipients who served in World War II and were willing to give it all for our nation and freedom across the Earth.”

Senate Joint Resolution 29 calls on the president and Congress to honor the last World War II Medal of Honor recipient with a state funeral. The measure was introduced in May 2021 and was recently adopted by the Illinois House of Representatives.

Forbes reported, as of September 2021, around 240,000 American World War II veterans were still living. That number is expected to decrease to around 50,000 by 2026.

Lawrence Brooks, a World War II veteran, died in January at the age of 112.

The Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs website reported 987,000 Illinoisans served in World War II, 22,000 of whom made the ultimate sacrifice. A memorial was constructed in 2004 in Springfield to honor them.  

State funerals are typically held for presidents or other people of national significance.  State funerals can include pomp and ceremony including 21-gun salutes and the casket drawn by 6 horses.