SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 25

(By Senators Prezioso, D. Hall, Plymale, Williams and Stollings)

Requesting the Division of Highways name bridge number 17-79-117.174, (17A257, 17A258), latitude 39.25769, longitude -80.28684), on Interstate 79, in Anmoore, Harrison County, heading south the "U. S. Army PFC Nick A. Cavallaro Memorial Bridge" and heading north the "U. S. Army SSG Benjamin T. Portaro Memorial Bridge".

            Whereas, Nick Cavallaro was born in Caulonia, Reggio Calabria, Italy, October 28, 1920, and came to the United States in August, 1922, with his brother Celestino (Charley) and mother Maria Rosa Strangio Cavallaro and settled in Anmoore, West Virginia; and

            Whereas, Benjamin Portaro (Nick Cavallaro’s cousin) was born in Caulonia, Reggio Calabria, Italy, March 8, 1921, and immigrated to Anmoore, West Virginia, with his family; and

            Whereas, When World War II broke out, Nick Cavallaro and Benjamin Portaro both enlisted in the United States Army; and

            Whereas, Nick Cavallaro participated in battles in North Africa and Sicily, Italy, and was one of the thousands of paratroopers dropped behind German lines the night before the invasion of Normandy, France; and

            Whereas, Nick Cavallaro was scheduled to come home on leave when the Battle of the Bulge occurred and his leave was canceled; and

            Whereas, Sadly, Nick Cavallaro lost his life in the battle at Fosse, Belgium, on January 3, 1945, leaving behind his mother, brother, sister Louise and a host of other family and friends; and

            Whereas, Nick Cavallaro was awarded two Purple Heart Medals, the Bronze Star Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge, as well as various medals by the French and Belgian governments; and

            Whereas, Benjamin Portaro was a staff sergeant when he was discharged, having fought in two battles in France before fighting at the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium, where he was captured by German forces and eventually escaped; and

            Whereas, Benjamin Portaro was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, POW Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with two bronze service stars, World War II Victory Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge 1st Award, Honorable Service Lapel Button WWII and the Marksman Badge with Rifle Bar; and

            Whereas, Nick Cavallaro and Benjamin Portaro were Italian immigrants, cousins and citizens of Anmoore, West Virginia, and fought for their adopted country, the United States of America; and

            Whereas, It is fitting to recognize the service and sacrifice of cousins Nick Cavallaro and Benjamin Portaro by naming this bridge in their honor as an everlasting tribute to their memory; therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

            That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name bridge number 17-79-117.174, (17A257, 17A258), latitude 39.25769, longitude -80.28684), on Interstate 79, in Anmoore, Harrison County, heading south the "U. S. Army PFC Nick A. Cavallaro Memorial Bridge" and heading north the "U. S. Army SSG Benjamin T. Portaro 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 heading south as the "U. S. Army PFC Nick A. Cavallaro Memorial Bridge" and heading north the "U. S. Army SSG Benjamin T. Portaro 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 Commissioner of the Division of Highways.