HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 77

(By Delegates Marcum, Thompson and Hicks)

[Introduced March 9, 2017]

Requesting the Division of Highways to name bridge number 30-3/5-16.65 (30A020) (37.91287, -82.25294), locally known as Breeden Tunnel Girder, carrying County Route 3/5 over the West Fork of Twelvepole Creek in Mingo County, the "US Army SGT Benny Fleming Memorial Bridge”.

Whereas, Sergeant Fleming was born on June 9, 1948, to Goodlow and Lora Evans Fleming of Wilsondale and passed away August 30, 2013; and

Whereas, Sergeant Fleming was a lifelong resident of Mingo County and it was there that he raised a family and made a living as a coal miner. Throughout his life, he overcame many obstacles, all while maintaining a great attitude. This made him the man he would eventually become; and

Whereas, As a young boy, Sergeant Fleming spent his days exploring the very countryside he would eventually call home. He attended Lowney Grade School near his family home, and graduated from Lenore High School in 1966. That same year, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. In the five years he served, he was promoted to the level of Army Sergeant E-5, served in Vietnam, and eventually received an honorable discharge. After returning home, he worked for the West Virginia Department of Highways; and

Whereas, Sergeant Fleming began working underground in the coal mines in the early to mid-1970s, when the danger of working underground was at its highest. He worked for Dehue Mines in Logan until they closed, and then went to work at Rawl Sales Rocky Hollow for nearly fifteen years until he suddenly became sick while on vacation with his family. He was diagnosed with transverse myelitis. After spending months in the hospital, and at a rehabilitation center, he was left paralyzed from the waist down, and confined to a wheelchair; and

Whereas, When faced with an obstacle such as this, most people would have given up, but not Sergeant Fleming. He had to learn how to use his hands again, and how to sit up again.  He learned how to cook, clean, do laundry, and be self-sufficient. Eventually, he would mow his own grass, and the grass of his sister, just to keep busy. He also became active in helping facilities become handicapped accessible. It was very important to him to be able to get in and out of places without having to ask for assistance; and

Whereas, Sergeant Fleming had two daughters, Machelle and Teresa. He loved them dearly. They married and had children of their own. Machelle had his first grandchild, Jarrid, in 1991. This gave Benny something to get stronger for, and something to look forward to. Jarrid was his whole world. He would spend weekends with Benny, and he would feed him, bathe him, and change his diaper, all while being confined to a wheelchair; and

Whereas, Five years later, Machelle had Sergeant Fleming’s second grandchild, Seann Cameron. He and Benny spent their time fishing, riding four wheelers, and Benny would point out deer and bear tracks to his grandson. Some weekends, Benny would keep both boys. That was when he was at his happiest; and

Whereas, In August of 1998, Teresa had Sergeant Fleming’s third grandchild, a boy named Carson.  Just as he did with the grandsons before him, Sergeant Fleming loved to spend time with him, watching him play basketball and talk about trains. He too would spend the night with Benny, and he would see to it that he was well taken care of; and

Whereas, Because of his grandkids, the last years of Sergeant Fleming’s life were his happiest. In 2002, he was the official scorekeeper for his grandson Jarrid’s baseball team, and never missed a game. He traveled to the away games, as well as the home games, and treated Jarrid’s teammates as if they were his own. He would buy the kids drinks, hotdogs, and candy at the games, and they loved him as if he were their own grandpa. He also spent time with his companion and life partner, Cathy Perry. They were at their happiest when spending time outdoors and sharing memories; and

Whereas, In his last few years, Sergeant Fleming began reflecting on his life. He began compiling notes and started the process of writing a short story about the life and times of growing up in the 1950s. He titled it “Growing Up Lowney.” It tells the story of when he was young, and going to Lowney Grade School near his childhood home. He goes into great detail, and tells everything he can remember of growing up in that area of Mingo County. He typed the story himself, and surprised his children and grandchildren each with a copy. The seven-page story is Benny’s legacy. It is a small glimpse into the type of man that he was. Although confined to a wheelchair for the last twenty-five years of his life, Benny overcame many obstacles with the love and support of his family. He overcame them to become a loving father, extraordinary grandfather, and outstanding member of the community, all with a smile on his face; and

Whereas, For these reasons it is fitting and proper that the bridge be named in honor of Sergeant Fleming. With his short story titled “Growing Up Lowney,” and the bridge known as the Lowney Singing Bridge, the irony is clear. It would be a testament to the strong, loving family man that was taken from us way too soon; therefore, be it

Resolved by the West Virginia Legislature:

That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name bridge number 30-3/5-16.65 (30A020) (37.91287, -82.25294), locally known as Breeden Tunnel Girder, carrying County Route 3/5 over the West Fork of Twelvepole Creek in Mingo County, the "U.S. Army SGT Benny Fleming Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Commissioner of the Division of Highways is hereby requested to have made and be placed signs at both ends identifying the bridge as the " U.S. Army SGT Benny Fleming Memorial Bridge"; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates forward a certified copy of this resolution to the Secretary of Transportation, the Commissioner of Highways.