HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 11
(By Delegates Staton and Browning)
[Introduced January 24, 2003; referred to the
Committee on Rules.]
Requesting the West Virginia Division of Highways to name the
bridge located on Route 85, Kopperston Road, Wyoming County,
West Virginia, the "Wavel Wayne Powell Bridge."
Whereas, Wavel Wayne Powell was born on November 17, 1948, at
Toney Fork, Kopperston Road, Route 85, Wyoming County, West
Virginia, to Opal Brown Powell and Theodore W. Powell; and
Whereas, Wavel Wayne Powell
attended Oceana High School,
graduating in May, 1966; and
Whereas, Wavel Wayne Powell
, unmarried, enlisted in the United
States Army serving as a Private First Class with the 3rd Squadron
11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in the Republic of Vietnam where he
started his tour of duty on March 31, 1969, until he was killed in
action on May 2, 1969, in Binh Duong Province of South Vietnam; and
Whereas, Wavel Wayne Powell
was awarded the following medals
posthumously for actions and conduct for participating in aerial
flight in Vietnam while serving as a helicopter crew chief and
gunner: From April 13, 1969, to April 26, 1969, the Air Medal for
Meritorious Achievement, from April 27, 1969, to May 1, 1969, the
Air Medal First Oak Leaf Cluster for Meritorious Achievement, on April 27, 1969, the Air Medal Second Oak Leaf Cluster for Heroism,
from March, 1969 to May, 1969, the Bronze Star for Meritorious
Achievement in Ground Operations against hostile forces, for
actions resulting in his death on May 2, 1969, the Purple Heart and
from the President of the Republic of Vietnam on May 2, 1969, the
Military Merit Medal;
and
Whereas, Wavel Wayne Powell
was 20 years old when he died in
the service of his country, a world away from his native state of
West Virginia and his family and friends; prior to his death, he
had actively participated in more than 25 aerial missions over
hostile territory in support of counterinsurgency operations. His
conduct exhibited discipline, bravery and devotion to his military
service, his fellow servicemen and his country; and
Whereas, Wavel Wayne Powell
unselfishly made the supreme
sacrifice for his country, state, family and friends and in so
doing, joined the legions of young American men and women who have
given their lives in past decades so that other people might have
a chance to know the meaning of freedom which is so dear to
Americans and West Virginians, who have died and will continue to
die to defend it; and
Whereas, The life and sacrifice of Wavel Wayne Powell
should
not go unnoticed; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia
:
That the members of the Legislature request the West Virginia Division of Highways to name the bridge located on Route 85,
Kopperston Road, Wyoming County, West Virginia, near the family
home and the bridge he played on and under as a child the "Wavel
Wayne Powell
Bridge"; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the West Virginia Division of Highways
provide and erect a sign at either end of the bridge displaying the
name of the bridge; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward
a copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of the Division of
Highways, and to the surviving relatives of Wavel Wayne Powell
.