HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 34

(By Delegate Miller)

February 5, 2016

Requesting the Division of Highways to name bridge number 06-25/11-0.01 (06A304) (38.35666, -82.12754) locally known as New Girl Scout Camp Bridge, carrying County Route 25/11 over Mud River in Cabell County, the “U.S. Marine Corps PFC Billy Joe Vickers Memorial Bridge”.

Whereas, Billy Joe Vickers, the son of Herman C. Vickers and Opal Vickers of Milton, West Virginia, was born March 24, 1947, the third of four sons born to the couple; and

Whereas, Billy Joe Vickers graduated from Milton High School, married Linda Dillon, whom he had known since the seventh grade, and had a daughter, Pammy.  Both Pammy Vickers Mahon and Linda Dillon Vickers live in Barboursville, West Virginia; and

Whereas, Billy Jo Vickers enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve June 22, 1966, and was assigned later to active duty with Company A, 1^st Battalion, 7^th Marines, 1^st Marine Division, southwest of DaNang, Viet Nam, arriving there February 10, 1968.  While on a combat patrol April 8, 1968, along the bank of the Song Yen River, near the vicinity of La Chau hamlet in Hieu Duc District of Quang Nam Province, Private First Class Billy Joe Vickers and two fellow Marines were killed as a result of detonation of an antipersonnel mine; and

Whereas, Private First Class Billy Joe Vickers' two older brother, Herman O'dell Vickers and Jimmy Lou Vickers, also served in the nation's military, Herman in the U.S. Navy and Jimmy in the U.S. Marine Corps; and

Whereas, Both older brothers currently live in Culloden, Cabell County, West Virginia; and

Whereas, Private First Class Billy Joe Vickers' younger brother, Danny Vickers, lives with his family at the home place where the four brothers all grew up; and

Whereas, The family home place is located at the end of the bridge hereby to be named for Private First Class Billy Joe Vickers; and

Whereas, The body of Private First Class Billy Joe Vickers was buried in Brown Cemetery, Ball's Gap, Cabell County, West Virginia; and

Whereas, It is proper that Private First Class Billy Joe Vickers' service to and sacrifice for his country be remembered by this fitting memorial; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name bridge number 06-25/11-0.01 (06A304) (38.35666, -82.12754) locally known as New Girl Scout Camp Bridge, carrying County Route 25/11 over Mud River in Cabell County, the “U.S. Marine Corps PFC Billy Joe Vickers 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. Marine Corps PFC Billy Jo Vickers 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.