SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 16
(By Senator Stollings)
Requesting the Division of Highways name bridge number 03-20-
4.83(3372) in Ramage, Boone County, the "Sebert S. Duty
Memorial Bridge".
Whereas, Sebert S. Duty was born June 27, 1911, and raised in
the sight of the bridge in Ramage, Boone County; and
Whereas, Sebert S. Duty attended primary school in Boone
County, worked on Public Works Programs during the Great Depression
and was a coal miner and farmer. Before entering the Army, he was
married to the former Ethel Kuhn. They had no children; and
Whereas, Sebert S. Duty entered the service of his country by
conscription in 1942 when he became a member of the United States
Army as Pfc. Sebert S. Duty, 35642938, Company E, 302nd Infantry,
94th Division. Although a devout Christian who did not believe in
killing, he did not claim the right of conscientious objector and,
like so many other West Virginians and Americans, he believed that
it was his duty to help defend his country. He was a good, brave
and valiant soldier who made the supreme sacrifice for his country,
fellow soldiers and Americans when he was killed in action during
the European Theater of Operations on January 26, 1945. Sebert S.
Duty is now survived by a brother, Fred E. Duty, who was also in
the Army at the same time and only about 100 miles from where Sebert died, although he was unaware of this event until some time
later; and
Whereas, Sebert S. Duty was awarded the Rifleman's Medal and
Purple Heart posthumously; and
Whereas, The service of Pfc. Sebert S. Duty during World War
II and his death on the battlefield exemplifies the courage and
bravery of West Virginians in time of war and his service and
sacrifice should not go unnoticed; it should serve as an example to
each of us that "freedom is not free" and, that even when contrary
to one's religious beliefs, duty to country and defense of country
and freedom is sometimes necessary and required; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name
bridge number 03-20-4.83(3372) in Ramage, Boone County, the "Sebert
S. Duty 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 "Sebert S. Duty 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 Secretary of
the Department of Transportation and Fred E. Duty.