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Introduced Version House Concurrent Resolution 44 History

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HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 44

(By Delegates Armstead, Lane and Walters)

 

 

 

Requesting the Division of Highways to name the bridge on U.S. Route 119, one and a half miles north of Clendenin at the Thorofare Road Junction, number 20-59-0.01, in Clendenin, Kanawha County, West Virginia, the “Smith Brothers Memorial Bridge”.

    Whereas, Five Smith brothers from Kanawha County, West Virginia, born to Ralph and Maggie Smith of Clendenin, served in the United States Army during WWII; and

    Whereas, The Smith brothers’ service to their nation began in April 1941, when Wilton Russell Smith, born December 1, 1915, was inducted, serving with the 150th Infantry thirty-five months patrol at the Panama Canal, receiving an honorable discharge on October 4, 1945; and

    Whereas, Floyd Jacob Smith, born February 14, 1920, entered service in April, 1942, with the Second Infantry Division, serving in Ireland, England and France, receiving an honorable discharge on December 3, 1945; and

    Whereas, Fred Ervin Smith, born January 24, 1922, entered service in October, 1942, and headed for the South Pacific with the 5th Air Force, receiving an honorable discharge on December 31, 1945; and

    Whereas, Ralph Burton Smith, Jr., born January 3, 1911, entered the service in December, 1942, and was assigned to the 786 Tank Battalion serving in England, Belgium, Germany and France, receiving an honorable discharge October 30, 1945; and

    Whereas, David Grant Smith, born August 29, 1907, entered the service in 1944 and served as an MP guarding German prisoners in Alabama, receiving an honorable discharge February 5, 1945; and

    Whereas, All brothers received ribbons and medals commensurate with the theaters they served with brother Fred being awarded the Purple Heart, having been wounded in France; and

    Whereas, Two of the Smith brothers’ families continued with service to their country during the Vietnam War: Wilton’s son, Bill, and Ralph’s son, Danny; and

    Whereas, The Smith Brothers, who are still living and range in ages from sixty-eight years to eighty-three years, all retired from Union Carbide with over one-hundred-fifty years total service between them; and

    Whereas, The Smith Brothers, unlike many young men who served during this period of our history, returned home safely, for which their families and communities are grateful; and

    Whereas, The Smith Brothers willingly, gallantly and proudly served their country during WWII and have given much to their community and state; and

    Whereas, The patriotic act of five brothers entering the Armed Forces of the United States in a time of world war, while not unique, is remarkable and their service to protecting the principles upon which this country was built and their service to their community and state should not go unnoticed; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name the bridge on U.S. Route 119, one and a half miles north of Clendenin at the Thorofare Road Junction, bridge number 20-59-0.01, in Clendenin, Kanawha County, West Virginia, the “Smith Brothers Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is requested to have made and be placed two signs, one on either end of the bridge, that identifies the bridge, in bold and prominent lettering, as the “Smith Brothers Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House forward a certified copy of this resolution to each Smith brother and to the Commissioner of the Division of Highways.

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