Former President Bill Clinton and Rep. Pat Ryan (D, NY-19) toured the Purple Heart Hall of Honor in New Windsor together as they recalled relatives who fought in the war on Wednesday, Nov. 2.

The Purple Heart Hall of Honor opened in 2006 and honors Purple Heart recipients, which are military officials who gave their life or were wounded fighting for their country.

The tour came about with Veterans Day approaching on Nov. 11 along with President Joe Biden proclaiming November as Veteran and Military Families month.

Being a Veteran himself, Ryan noted that the story of his grandfather and World War II Navy Veteran, John Porsch is at the museum.

“I’m gonna show President Clinton my grandfather who was a World War II Veteran. He was on the last ship sunk in the Pacific, the USS by a Japanese Kamikaze pilot. He had to cling to debris from the ship for over 48 hours and thank God he survived. He’s no longer with us, but this is a very powerful moment for me,” said Ryan.

Clinton told Ryan this took place seven days before the bombs were dropped.

Most of their conversation then turned private as they stood over Ryan’s grandfather’s war history.

“I’m still sort of speechless and honored to meet the President,” said Ryan during remarks after the tour.