HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 109

(By Delegates Miley, Trecost, Hamrick, Waxman and Lane)

Requesting the Division of Highways to name bridge number 17-20-25.38 (17A106), locally known as Haywood Bridge, carrying West Virginia Route 20 over West Fork River and CSX railroad in Harrison County, the "U.S. Army PFC John Belcastro Bridge."

            Whereas, John Belcastro, was born on June 12, 1922, in Shinnston, West Virginia. He was the first born of one of the first set of twins born in Shinnston and one of six sons born to Frank and Anita Bartolo Belcastro; and

            Whereas, After graduation from Shinnston High School in 1942, John Belcastro spent four years in the United States Army during World War II. He entered the United States Army in October of 1942 and was honorably discharged on January 18, 1946. Mr. Belcastro was a member of the Tenth Armored Division, 90th Reconnaissance Calvary, Third Army under General George Patton; and

            Whereas, John Belcastro spent Christmas of 1944 fighting in the Battle of the Bulge in which the Tenth Armored Division led the Third Army all the way to Austria. He also fought in the Ardennes Forest, the Rhineland and Central Europe. In May of 1945, Mr. Belcastro was chosen to be a part of a secret mission. As soon as the war ended, he was part of the team hand-picked to rescue 118 German scientists who were defecting to America. Those German scientists included Weyher Von Braun who was instrumental in starting the American space program in Huntsville, Alabama; and

            Whereas, John Belcastro received a Purple Heart, a Bronze Star for bravery, the Croix De Guerre Presidential Citation and Good Conduct Medal. He also was awarded the American Theater Ribbon, the Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon, the World War II Victory Ribbon, the Diplome from the Republique Francais' Ministere De La Defense Liberation of France and the Knight of the French Legion of Honor; and

            Whereas, When the war ended, Mr. Belcastro returned to Shinnston where he worked in the coal industry for forty-three years. While working in the mines, he volunteered to be a member of the mine rescue squad, serving in that capacity from 1950 to 1964 during which time he helped in rescue efforts in twelve explosions and fires. Mr. Belcastro received Consol Safety Award for twenty-five years with no lost time accidents. He was a member of United Mine Workers Local #1501 where he held many offices including serving on the COMPAC committee for twelve years, holding the office of treasurer for eight years and social chairman for eighteen years; and

            Whereas, Mr. Belcastro displayed his talent as an imitator and impersonator by being named the winner of the Wilken's Amateur Hour held in Pittsburgh; the winner of the All Stars Amateur Hour held at the Ritz Theater in Clarksburg; performed with the Paul Whitman Orchestra at the Warner Theater in Morgantown; with Vaughn Monroe at the Ritz in Clarksburg; and Frank Yankovic's Polish Band at the Clarksburg Armory; and

            Whereas, Mr. Belcastro and Sylvia, his wife of sixty-seven years, are members of St. Ann's Catholic Church where he has served as an usher, lector, and president of the men's Holy Name Society for three terms. He served as both Vice-President and Treasurer of the Clarksburg Deanery of the Holy Name Society and on the Board of Directors for the Wheeling-Charleston Diocese. He is also a member of the Knights of Columbus #942 and a weekly adorer in the Perpetual Adoration Chapel. For years he was the "Voice of the Spartans" as he served as the announcer for the Shinnston High football games and also for the Shinnston Little League baseball games. Mr. Belcastro held the position of Cub Master for Pack 59 for the Shinnston Area Boy Scouts. He belongs to the Clarksburg Senior Citizens and delivered Meals on Wheels. He is a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars #573 in Clarksburg, AARP, and a Life Member of the Shinnston American Legion Post 31 where he served on the Color Guard and as chairman of various committees as well as serving as Service Officer for the VA Hospital and the Old Soldier's Home in Weston; and

            Whereas, Mr. Belcastro was captain of the seven time winning Italian Trivia Team in conjunction with the Italian Heritage Festival and received a diploma from the University of Hard Knocks at Alderson-Broaddus College in 1999. He is one of the longest serving members of the Board of Directors of the Monongahela Valley Association of Health Centers Fairmont Clinic, having served for over forty years; and

            Whereas, On June 12, 2015, Mr. Belcastro will celebrate his 93^rd birthday. He has lived all his life in Shinnston. He is a long time pillar of his community and it is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate his service to his community and country; therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

            That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name bridge number 17-20-25.38 (17A106), locally known as Haywood Bridge, carrying West Virginia Route 20 over West Fork River and CSX railroad in Harrison County, the "U.S. Army PFC John Belcastro 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 bridges the "U.S. Army PFC John Belcastro 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 to Mr. John Belcastro.