COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 76

(By Delegates Perdue and Kinsey)

Requesting that bridge number 50-37-3.29 (50A069) over Big Hurricane Creek in Wayne County be named the “U. S. Army PFC Richard Lee Lakin Memorial Bridge”.

    Whereas, PFC Lakin was born December 1, 1923 to James Samuel Lakin and Lydia Frazier Lakin on Big Hurricane Creek in Wayne County, West Virginia. He grew up on the family farm and was a dutiful son assisting his father, mother, brother and sisters with burdensome work of making a living; and

    Whereas, PFC Lakin was educated in the Wayne County schools, first in a one-room school. After graduating from Fort Gay High School, PFC Lakin was employed as a welder in the Norfolk, Virginia shipyard. He was faithful to the Big Hurricane Missionary Baptist Church where he was a member; and

    Whereas, When the United States was thrust abruptly into war after the dastardly deed at Pearl Harbor, PFC Lakin bid his time until he became of age, then enlisted in the U.S. Army. With that, he joined a long list of Lakin relatives who served their country in the military: father, brother, uncles, nephew and cousins; and     Whereas, After several assignments, PFC Lakin was sent to Europe, serving in the 17th Armored Infantry Battalion, 12th Armored Division, and was in fierce combat during the Battle of the Bulge when he fell and died on January 17, 1945 at Herrlisheim, France; and

    Whereas, As part of a massive return of servicemen’s remains, PFC Lakin’s remains, that had been previously buried on foreign soil at Epinol, France, were returned to United States on April 16, 1948. He was laid to rest in the family cemetery near Fort Gay, West Virginia, also known as the James Ferguson Cemetery. The Vancouver Post of the American Legion officiated at the grave and PFC Lakin’s funeral and procession were the largest ever seen on Big Hurricane Creek; and

    Whereas, The service at PFC Lakin’s own church was conducted by his famous uncle, world-wide evangelist Dr. Bascom Ray Lakin and attended by over a thousand people. His mother was so distraught and heartbroken after the burial of her son that she walked two miles every day for months to the cemetery and back home to decorate his grave; and

    Whereas, PFC Lakin’s posthumous awards and medals include the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, the Combat Infantry Badge, the European Theater Medal with two Bronze Stars and the World War II Victory Medal; and

    Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate this native son who gave the ultimate sacrifice for his state and his country; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name number 50-37-3.29 (50A069) over Big Hurricane Creek in Wayne County the “U. S. Army PFC Richard Lee Lakin Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Commissioner of the Division of Highways is hereby requested to erect signs at both ends of the bridge containing bold and prominent letters proclaiming the bridge the “U. S. Army PFC Richard Lee Lakin Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates forward a certified copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of the Division of Highways, Army PFC Richard Lee Lakin’s family, Herbert Wellman, Jr., Fort Gay Veteran Park Committee Chairman and Tony Perry, Pastor of the Big Hurricane Missionary Baptist Church representing the church’s many members who signed the petition to have this bridge named in PFC Lakin’s honor and memory.