SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 19

(By Senators Hamilton and Pitsenbarger)

[Introduced February 4, 2020]

Requesting the Division of Highways name bridge number 42-219/00-038.13 (42A139), locally known as Isner Creek Bridge, carrying US 219 over Isner Creek in Randolph County, the “U. S. M.C. LCPL Fred Michael Kerns Memorial Bridge”.

            Whereas, Fred Michael Kerns was born on October 15, 1948, in Weston, West Virginia, the son of Fred G. and Thelma Marie Glover Kerns; and

            Whereas, LCP Fred Michael Kerns was sworn into the United States Marine Corps after graduating from Buckhannon - Upshur High School in 1966, and commenced active duty in 1967; and

            Whereas, On October 3, 1968, LCP Fred Michael Kerns arrived in Vietnam, where he served as an air crewman aboard helicopters with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 167 (HML-167), Marine Air Group 16 (MAG-16), First Marine Air Wing, Third Marine Amphibious Force; and

            Whereas, LCP Fred Michael Kerns was killed on July 29, 1969, as a result of a nonhostile helicopter crash in Quam Nam Providence, South Vietnam; and

            Whereas, LCP Fred Michael Kerns was awarded the Air Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, and Combat Aircrew Badge; and

            Whereas, LCP Fred Michael Kerns' name is listed on the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, D. C., Panel 20W, Line 71; and

            Whereas, LCP Fred Michael Kerns was one of several hundred West Virginia residents, and one of over 17 Randolph County residents, to make the ultimate sacrifice for his county during the Vietnam War. He is buried at the Masonic Cemetery, Weston, West Virginia; and

            Whereas, LCP Fred Michael Kerns, on the date of his death, left his father Fred Kerns, his mother Thelma Kerns and three brothers: Terry Lee, Alan William and Stephen Craig Kerns; and

            Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate LCP Fred Michael Kerns and his 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 42-219/00-038.13 (42A139), locally known as Isner Creek Bridge, carrying US 219 over Isner Creek in Randolph County, the “U. S. M.C. LCPL Fred Michael Kerns 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.M.C. LCPL Fred Michael Kerns Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

            Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of the Division of Highways.