HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 20

(By Delegate Smith)

Requesting that bridge number 21-119/1-0.01 on County Route 119/1 in Lewis County, West Virginia, be named the “SP5 Lynn Waitman Peters Memorial Bridge”.

    Whereas, SP5 Lynn Waitman Peters was born to Floyd F. Peters and Loretta Self Peters on December 22, 1938, at Pickle Street, Lewis County. He attended schools in Gilmer County throughout his youth, leaving Troy High School to join the military. His father was the mail carrier at Linn which is why he attended Troy school. While in high school he was a member of the Future Farmers of America and played trumpet in the band. He always had a love for music and also played fiddle, mandolin and guitar; and

    Whereas, SP5 Lynn Waitman Peters’ lifetime dream was to become a Green Beret and to proudly serve his country. After leaving high school he entered the Army in 1957, volunteering for Special Forces and was a demolition expert. He attended parachute training school at Fort Benning, Georgia and Special Forces school at Fort Bragg, North Carolina earning the rank of Specialist Five; and

    Whereas, SP5 Lynn Waitman Peters, served at Fort Knox, Kentucky from March 20, 1957 to November 1959, in Korea in September 1960, at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia from 1960 to 1963, at Ft. Benning, Georgia from August 1963 to September 1963, at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina from September 1963 to February 24, 1965 in the 7^th Special Forces Group (Abn), and in Vietnam from February 24, 1965 to May 25, 1965; and

    Whereas, SP5 Lynn Waitman Peters was killed May 25, 1965 by sniper fire in Tay Ninh Province, South Vietnam while accompanying a convoy. He was a member of the DET A-324 (NUI BA DEN) 5^th Special Forces Group, U.S. Army; and

    Whereas, SP5 Lynn Waitman Peters received the Purple Heart with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Bronze Star, the Vietnamese Military Merit Medal, the Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm, the Parachute Badge, the Sharp Shooter (pistol), the Good Conduct Medal and the Special Forces Tab; and

    Whereas, SP5 Lynn Waitman Peters was a young man who loved his family, his community and his nation. He was affiliated with the Rock Grove Baptist Church and is buried in the family plot in the Rock Grove Cemetery. His parents, along with two of his brothers, Carl F. Peters and Ronald J. Peters and his sister, Nina L. Pyles are now buried near him; and

    Whereas, SP5 Lynn Waitman Peters served his country and his state with honor and distinction and gave the ultimate sacrifice; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name bridge number 21-119/1-0.01 on County Route 119/1 in Lewis County, West Virginia the “SP5 Lynn Waitman Peters 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 “SP5 Lynn Waitman Peters 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; his wife, Mary A. Peters of Fayetteville, North Carolina; daughter Sheila Lynn Peters Baker of Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina; grandson Scott Waitman Baker of Fayetteville, North Carolina; brothers, Richard Peters, John Peters and Michael Peters; and sisters, Mary Ann Hardbarger and Sharon Radcliff.