HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 119

(By Delegates  R. Thompson, Hicks, Rodighiero, Evans, Lovejoy and B. Brown)

[Introduced February 26, 2020]

Requesting the Division of Highways name that portion of County Route 35 beginning where it intersects with CR 39 and ending where it intersects with CR 33 in Wayne County, the “Nelson Veterans Memorial Road”.

Whereas, U.S. Army Technician 5th Grade Oscar Nelson was born on April 10, 1919, in Southern Wayne County near Dunlow to Millard and Melinda Nelson. He grew to adulthood working on his family farm and at his father's steam sawmill; and

Whereas, When World War II erupted, Technician Nelson enlisted in the military on March 28, 1942, and served in several units before eventually begin assigned to the 82"nd Airborne; and

Whereas, On June 6, 1944, Technician Nelson participated in the early morning glider landings in Normandy behind German lines. After being severely injured when his glider crashed he was nursed back to health by a French family. Technician Nelson returned to the front lines and was on a hill in Germany when he learned of the German surrender. He also served in North Africa and Italy; and

Whereas, Technician Nelson was awarded the Purple Heart, the Good Conduct Medal, the European African Middle Eastern Service Ribbon, and the Distinguished Unit Badge, and was honorably discharged on September 24, 1945; and

Whereas, After the war, Technician Nelson returned home to Wayne County and lived the rest of his life on his family farm. He raised a family, and two sons, Dan and Mike, served in the military as well; and

Whereas, Technician Nelson died on February 14, 2004; and

Whereas, It is a fitting tribute to U.S. Army Technician 5th Grade Oscar Nelson that this stretch of road be named for him and his contribution to his country and community; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name that portion of County Route 35 beginning where it intersects with CR 39 and ending where it intersects with CR 33 in Wayne County, the “Nelson Veterans Memorial Road”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to have made and be placed signs identifying the road as the “Nelson Veterans Memorial Road”; 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.