COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE

FOR

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 9

By Delegates Caputo, Longstreth and Angelucci

(Originating in the Committee on Technology and Infrastructure
February 25, 2019)

Requesting the Division of Highways rename bridge number 25-64/1-0.04 (25A106), locally known as Kingmont Road Overpass, carrying Route 64 over Interstate 79 in Marion County, as the “Kingmont Veterans Bridge PVT Jarrett Springer, U. S. Army WWII, PFC Benjamin “Benny” Hamrick, USMC Vietnam”.

Whereas, Jarrett Lee Springer, born July 24, 1924, and Benjamin “Benny” Hamrick, born September 5, 1947; both hailed from Kingmont, West Virginia; and

Whereas, Jarrett Lee Springer enlisted in the United States Army during World War II; and

Whereas, Jarrett Springer gave his life in combat in 1944 during World War II; and

Whereas, PFC Hamrick enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and entered Vietnam in May of 1966 as part of the 3^rd Marine Division, 2^nd Battalion, 4^th Marines Echo Company; and

Whereas, As recounted by his lifelong friend and fellow Marine, Philip Hickman, PFC Hamrick’s platoon was ambushed by the North Vietnamese Army and outnumbered 400 to 25 in the Quang Tri Province; and

Whereas, After fighting valiantly throughout the night, PFC Hamrick was killed in action on or around August 8, 1966; and

Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate PRVT Jarrett Springer and PFC Benjamin “Benny” Hamrick and each of their contributions to our state and country; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to rename bridge number 25-64/1-0.04 (25A106), locally known as Kingmont Road Overpass, carrying Route 64 over Interstate 79 in Marion County, as the “Kingmont Veterans Bridge PVT Jarrett Springer, U. S. Army WWII, PFC Benjamin “Benny” Hamrick, USMC Vietnam Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Commissioner of the Division of Highways is hereby requested to have made and be placed signs identifying the bridge as the “Kingmont Veterans Bridge U. S. Army PVT Jarrett Springer and USMC PFC Benjamin “Benny” Hamrick Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates forward a copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of the Division of Highways.