HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 63

(By Delegates Young, Skaff, Pack, and Capito)

[February 14, 2022]

Requesting the Division of Highways name Bridge Number: 20-060/00-013.99  () (20A146), (38.36623,-81.66858) locally known as PATRICK STREET BRIDGE, carrying US 60 over KANAWHA RIVER & BLVD in Kanawha county., the “U. S. Army Master Sergeant Donald Lewis Coen Memorial Bridge”.

Whereas, Donald Lewis Coen was born May 20, 1928, in Wheeling, West Virginia, to Hunter Lewis Coen and Alma Unice Beckett. He attended Tiskelwah Elementary, Vandalia Elementary, South Charleston Junior High School, and South Charleston High School, where he graduated in 1943;  and

Whereas, At age 17, Donald enlisted in the United States Marine Corp. He trained at Parris Island and was then sent to China for 11 months.  In 1947 he transferred and enlisted in the United States Army.  He was assigned to the 11^th Airborne Division in Japan where he attended Glider School and Air Transport School and Jump School.  In 1949 he was assigned to Fort Campbell with the 11^th Airborne Division and in 1953 he was assigned to the 187^th Airborne in Korea and Japan and then back to Fort Bragg, North Carolina.  Finally, he was transferred to the 101^st Airborne at Fort Campbell, Kentucky; and

Whereas, Master Sergeant Coen married Shelby Jean Smith in 1958. They had three children, Donald Gregory Coen, Dana Suzette Coen Vaugh, and Shani Nicole Coen, who is deceased. Master Sergeant Coen and his wife lived in Germany during the Vietnam conflict and then were transferred to McDill Air Force Base near the end of his military career.  He retired in 1972 after 28 years in military service; and

Whereas, Master Sergeant Coen was awarded various medals including the Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal and Clasp Silver Loop, Army Occupation Medal and Japan Clasp, Korean Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon with device, Parachutist Badge—Basic, Parachutist Badge—Master, and Diver Badge –1^st Class; and

Whereas, Master Sergeant Coen retired to Tennessee where he worked for that State, obtained a GED degree in May 1980.  He loved fishing and coaching his children in football, baseball, and softball; and

Whereas, Master Sergeant Coen suffered a stroke and passed on May 1, 1997, in Centerville, Tennessee at age 68; and

Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate Master Sergeant Donald Lewis Coen and his/her 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 name Bridge Number: 20-060/00-013.99  () (20A146), (38.36623,-81.66858) locally known as PATRICK STREET BRIDGE, carrying US 60 over KANAWHA RIVER & BLVD in Kanawha county., the “U. S. Army Master Sergeant Donald Lewis Coen Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to have made and be placed signs identifying the bridge as the “U. S. Army Master Sergeant Donald Lewis Coen Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

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