SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION  31

(By Senators Ihlenfeld, Weld, Lindsay, Unger, Jeffries, and Romano)

[Introduced February 13, 202]

Requesting the Division of Highways name bridge number 35-002/00-011.58 (35A147), locally known as Short Creek Bridge, carrying WV 2 over Short Creek in Ohio County, the “U.S. Marine Corps PFC Manuel P. Markos Memorial Bridge”.

Whereas, Manuel P. Markos was born in Utah on October 27, 1924, the second child of Paul S. Markos (Markakis) and Diamanto Tsuhlares Markos of Short Creek, West Virginia; and

Whereas, Growing up in Short Creek, West Virginia, Manuel P. Markos had three siblings: Nick P. Markos, born on May 9, 1923, who died on July 17, 2002; Stella M. Markos (Sfamenos), born on August 23, 1929, who still resides in Short Creek; and Goldie M. Markos (Basil), born on February 6, 1937, who also still resides in Short Creek; and

Whereas, Manuel P. Markos’ parents immigrated to the United Sates through Ellis Island from the village of Hania on the island of Crete, Greece; and

Whereas, Manuel P. Markos’ older brother, Nick, was a member of the U.S. Army and fought in the Rhineland Campaign in central Europe in World War II, and received an honorable discharge following the war; and

Whereas, Manuel P. Markos attended school at Beech Bottom Elementary and Junior High and then Wellsburg High School. He worked at Markos Grocery Store, the family business, while attending school; and

Whereas, Manuel P. Markos left Wellsburg High School during his senior year to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps. He entered active service, was assigned to the Fifth Division, and had the rank of PFC. PFC Manuel P. Markos was killed in action on February 19, 1945, the day that the U.S.M.C. invaded the Japanese island of Iwo Jima. The battle of Iwo Jima endured from February 19 until March 26, 1945; and

Whereas, Religion was an important part of PFC Manuel P. Markos’ life. He was a life-time member of Saint John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church in Wheeling, West Virginia, where he was baptized and later, when his remains were returned from Iwo Jima, had his funeral. He is buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Wheeling, West Virginia; and

Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate U.S. Marine Corps PFC Manuel P. Markos and his contributions to our state and country; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name bridge number 35-002/00-011.58 (35A147), locally known as Short Creek Bridge, carrying WV 2 over Short Creek in Ohio County, the “U.S. Marine Corps PFC Manuel P. Markos Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to have made and be placed signs identifying the bridge as the “U.S Marine Corps PFC Manuel P. Markos Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of the Division of Highways.