SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 21

(By Senators Kirkendoll, Stollings, Unger and Plymale)

Requesting the Division of Highways to name bridge number 23-119-18.13, on Route 119 in Logan County, the "Navy Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Edsel Carl Varney Memorial Bridge".

    Whereas, Lieutenant Varney was born on January 25, 1922, and passed away on May 6, 1977; and

    Whereas, Lieutenant Varney graduated from Chapmanville High School in 1941; and

    Whereas, Lieutenant Varney enlisted in the United States Naval Reserves on November 5, 1942, under the V-5 Naval Aviation Cadet Program, entering active service on February 11, 1943, and was officially released from active duty on November 7, 1945; and

    Whereas, Lieutenant Varney flew twenty-one missions during the Iwo Jima operations, including almost seventy hours of combat time with twenty-two carrier landings on the Makin Island; and

    Whereas, Lieutenant Varney flew thirty-one missions during the Okinawa operations, including almost one hundred and fourteen hours of combat time with thirty carrier landings, all but one on the Makin Island while the last one during combat operations was on the Savo Island; and

    Whereas, Lieutenant Varney had forty-three total catapults and seventy-eight carrier landings on five carriers: The USS Sable, the USS Saratoga, the USS Bataan, the USS Makin Island and the USS Savo Island; and

    Whereas, Lieutenant Varney was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, multiple Gold Stars, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic and Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal, Philippine Presidential Unit Citation and Philippine Liberation Medal; and

    Whereas, Lieutenant Varney married Aleen “Pat” Williamson on November 8, 1947, raised five children and had eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren; and

    Whereas, Following his service in the Navy, Lieutenant Varney was a pilot instructor and at one point all state troopers in Logan knew how to fly; and

    Whereas, Lieutenant Varney was a PTA President, was very involved with his children and their activities and was the high school band president while his children were in the band and raised money for uniforms and instruments; and

    Whereas, When returning home from several days of work Lieutenant Varney would fly his plane low near his house, so that his children would know that he would be home very shortly; and

    Whereas, Lieutenant Varney was a Mason and spearheaded the project to get an airport in Logan; and

    Whereas, It is fitting to honor Lieutenant Varney for his commitment, dedication and service to his country and his state; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name bridge number 23-119-18.13, on Route 119 in Logan County, the "Navy Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Edsel Carl Varney Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is requested to have made and be placed signs identifying the bridge as the "Navy Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Edsel Carl Varney 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 the family of Lieutenant Edsel Carl Varney.