HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 61

(By Delegates Iaquinta, Fragale, Lane, Walters, Anderson, Andes, Armstead, Ashley, Barill, Barker, Boggs, Border, Brown, Butcher, D. Campbell, T. Campbell, Canterbury, Carmichael, Craig, Doyle, Ellem, Ellington, Ennis, Evans, Ferns, Ferro, Fleischauer, Frazier, Gearheart, Givens, Guthrie, Hall, Hamilton, Hatfield, Howell, Hunt, Ireland, Lawrence, Mahan, Manypenny, Marshall, Martin, Morgan, Moye, Nelson, O'Neal, Pasdon, Paxton, Perry, L. Phillips, R. Phillips, Pino, D. Poling, M. Poling, Poore, Reynolds, Rodighiero, Romine, Rowan, Savilla, Shaver, Sigler, Skaff, Snuffer, Sobonya, Staggers, Stephens, Storch, Stowers, Sumner, Swartzmiller, Talbott, Varner, Walker, Wells, White and Williams)

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

    Whereas, Five Smith brothers from Kanawha County, West Virginia served in the United States Army during WWII. The sons of Ralph and Maggie Smith of Clendenin their service to their nation began in April 1941, when Wilton Russell Smith, born December 1, 1915, was inducted, serving with the 150 Infantry thirty-five months patrol at the Panama Canal. He received his honorable discharge October 4, 1945. Floyd Jacob Smith, born February 14, 1920, entered service in April, 1942 with the Second Infantry Division, serving in Ireland, England and France. He received his honorable discharge December 3, 1945. Fred Ervin Smith, born January 24, 1922, entered service in October 1942 and headed for the South Pacific with the 5^th Air Force. He received his honorable discharge December 31, 1945. 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. He received his honorable discharge October 30, 1945. David Grant Smith, born August 29, 1907, entered the service in 1944 and served as an MP guarding German prisoners in Alabama. He received his honorable discharge February 5, 1945. Brother Fred received a wound in France and awarded the Purple Heart. He and the other brothers received ribbons and medals commensurate with the theaters they served. Wilton’s son, Bill, and Ralph’s son Danny served during the Vietnam War; and

    Whereas, The Smith Brothers, who are still living and range in ages from 67 years to 82 years, all retired from Union Carbide with over one hundred fifty years total service; and

    Whereas, The Smith Brothers willing, gallantly and proudly served their country during WWII and have given much to their community and state. And fortunately, unlike many young men who served during this period of our history, they returned home safely, for which their family and community is grateful. 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 one-half miles north of Clendenin at the Thorofare Road Junction, number 20-59-0.01, in Clendenin, Kanawha County, West Virginia, the “Smith Brothers Bridge.”; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is requested to have made and be placed, signs identifying the bridge as the “Smith Brothers Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates forward a certified copy of this resolution to the five Smith Brothers and the Secretary of the Department of Transportation.