SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 57
(By Senators Caruth and Guills)
Requesting the Division of Highways name the bridge in Mercer
County on U. S. Route 460 which crosses I-77 the "Lance
Corporal Juston Thacker Memorial Bridge".
Whereas, Juston Thacker, a native of Mercer County and a 2001
graduate of Princeton High School, was a player on the Princeton
High School football team. During his senior year, he served as the
team's co-captain and the team posted a 9-3 record and a playoff
win; and
Whereas, Juston Thacker was so moved by the terrible events of
September 11, 2001, that he joined the United States Marine Corps
on March 18, 2002; and
Whereas, During his first overseas tour of duty, Juston
Thacker served as an embassy guard in Kabul, Afghanistan; and
Whereas, On June 24, 2004, just six weeks into his second tour
of duty in Afghanistan, Lance Corporal Juston Thacker and his team
came upon the enemy lying in wait to ambush another group of U. S.
military forces. Lance Corporal Juston Thacker and another member
of his team were killed in action during a heavy exchange of
gunfire with the enemy. Because of the action of Lance Corporal
Juston Thacker and his team, the lives of many other U. S. soldiers
were saved; and
Whereas, It is fitting that a lasting tribute be named to
honor the life of Lance Corporal Juston Thacker, a true American
hero; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Legislature hereby requests the Division of Highways
name the bridge in Mercer County on U. S. Route 460 which crosses
I-77 the "Lance Corporal Juston Thacker Memorial Bridge"; and, be
it
Further Resolved, That the Legislature hereby recognizes the
sacrifice made by Juston Thacker who laid down his life in service
to his country during the war on terror in Afghanistan; 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 "Lance Corporal Juston Thacker 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 Secretary of
the Department of Transportation.