HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 12
(By Mr. Speaker, Mr. Kiss, and Delegates R. M. Thompson,
Mahan and Susman)
[Introduced January 28, 2004; referred to the
Committee on Rules.]
Requesting the West Virginia Division of Highways to name the newly
constructed concrete bridge on County Road 13 in Saxon,
Raleigh County, West Virginia, the "PFC John Michael Davis
Memorial Bridge".
Whereas, John Michael Davis was born on August 21, 1950, and
was raised in Saxon, West Virginia, with his two brothers, Buford
and Edward. He graduated from Trap Hill High School in the summer
of 1968; and
Whereas, John Davis chose to serve his country and attempted to
enlist in the United States Army after he graduated from high
school, but he was not heavy enough to meet the weight requirement.
His desire to support and protect his country was so great that on
the way home from the enlistment office, he bought ten pounds of
bananas and ate all of them that evening. The next day, he went
back to attempt to enlist again and this time, he made the weight
requirement; and
Whereas, All three of the Davis brothers served their country
during the Vietnam era, two of the brothers in the Army and one in the United States Marine Corps; and
Whereas, John Michael Davis became a Private First Class in the
United States Army and was sent into battle in Vietnam in June of
1969. On August 9, 1969, he received massive injuries during a
combat operation. On August 16, 1969, five days before he would
have turned nineteen, PFC John Michael Davis died from these
wounds; and
Whereas, On November 3, 1969, John Michael Davis received the
Purple Heart. He distinguished himself with "outstanding
meritorious service" and was also awarded the Bronze Star Medal as
"his initiative, zeal, sound judgment and devotion to duty" had
been "in the highest tradition of the United States Army" and
reflected "great credit to himself, his unit and the military
service"; and
Whereas, PFC Davis' courage, fortitude and selflessness should
be remembered as he made the ultimate sacrifice while serving his
beloved country; and
Whereas, Naming the bridge on County Road 13 in Saxon, Raleigh
County, after John Michael Davis would be a fitting memorial to him
as he was raised a mile beyond the old wooden bridge that was
replaced with a new concrete one in the fall of 2003. His final
resting place is a mile and a half past this new bridge; and
Whereas, We should never forget all of the valiant men and
women who have risked and still are risking their lives, foregoing their own freedom and happiness in order to allow us to safely
enjoy our liberty. Their sacrifices should not go unnoticed;
therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the members of the Legislature request the West Virginia
Division of Highways to name the bridge on County Road 13 in Saxon,
Raleigh County, West Virginia, the "PFC John Michael Davis Memorial
Bridge"; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the West Virginia Division of Highways
is requested to provide and erect, at either end of the bridge,
signs designating the bridge as the "PFC John Michael Davis
Memorial Bridge"; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates is
hereby directed to forward a copy of this concurrent resolution to
the Secretary of Transportation, the Commissioner of the Division
of Highways and the surviving family members of PFC John Michael
Davis.