HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 47
(By Delegates Hamilton, M. Poling and Smith)
Requesting the U.S. Route 33 overpass of West Virginia Route 20 at
the North Locust Street Exit at Buckhannon, otherwise known
specifically as bridge number 49-33-5.05, be named the "PFC
Ronald 'Ronnie' Dean, USMC, Memorial Bridge."
Whereas, Ronnie was born May 31, 1946, in Buckhannon, the third
child of Winston and Margaret Dean; and
Whereas, Ronnie graduated from Buckhannon Upshur High School in
1967, was a member of the Buckhannon Upshur Buccaneer Band for four
years, as its bass drummer; and
Whereas, After graduation, Ronnie married Linda Cornell on July
21, 1967, and also drove a truck for Martin Oil Company in
Buckhannon before reporting for basic training at Parris Island,
South Carolina in September, 1967; and
Whereas, Ronnie was transferred to Camp Lejune, North Carolina
on October 1, 1967, for advanced combat training and later was
transferred to Camp Pendleton, California on January, 1968; and
Whereas, Ronnie was then transferred to serve within the
Republic of South Vietnam starting February 12, 1968; and
Whereas, Upon arrival in South Vietnam, Ronnie served with Company C, First Engineering Battalion, First Marine Division; and
Whereas, Ronnie made the ultimate sacrifice for the ideals and
freedoms of his community, state and nation when he was killed in
action by a mine explosion on April 21, 1968; and
Whereas, Ronnie's service to this nation not only involved the
ultimate sacrifice, but also being the recipient of many awards,
including the National Defense Medal, Marksman Badge, Vietnam
Service Award, a posthumous Purple Heart and two ribbons awarded by
the Republic of South Vietnam; and
Whereas, The service of PFC Ronald "Ronnie" Dean during the
Vietnam War, and his death on the battle field 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 the
U.S. Route 33 overpass of West Virginia Route 20 at the North
Locust Street Exit at Buckhannon, otherwise known specifically as
bridge number 49-33-5.05, the "PFC Ronald 'Ronnie' Dean, USMC,
Memorial Bridge"; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Commissioner of the Division of Highways is hereby requested to cause to be fabricated signs to be
erected at each entryway of the bridge, containing bold and
prominent letters proclaiming the bridge to be the "PFC Ronald
'Ronnie' Dean, USMC, 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 and the family of Ronald "Ronnie" Dean.