SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 22

(By Senators Stollings and Plymale)

Requesting the Division of Highways name a portion of U. S. Route 119 in Boone County, beginning at a point, latitude 38.52773, longitude -81.50927, and ending at a point, latitude 38.54209, longitude -81.501417, the "U. S. Army SGT Mark Andrew Messer Memorial Road”.

            Whereas, Sergeant Messer was born in Charleston on January 4, 1965, to the Reverend Melvin and Barbara Messer; and

            Whereas, After graduating from Scott High School, where he played football, Sergeant Messer enrolled in the Army and was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri, Fort Lewis in Washington and Fort Campbell in Kentucky; and

            Whereas, Sergeant Messer served in the military for more than ten years, including a life-altering, front-line tour in the Middle East during Desert Storm. He was a member of the 5th Special Forces Group, the 101st Airborne and the Green Berets. He fought in Honduras, Iraq, Iran, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia and trained with the Egyptian Special Forces; and

            Whereas, Sergeant Messer received the Army Service Ribbon, Army Lapel Button, Sharpshooter Qualification Badge (M16 Rifle), Driver's Badge, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Achievement Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Driver Mechanic Badge, Mechanic Badge, Southwest Asia Service Medal and Saudi Arabia/Kuwait Liberation Medal; and

            Whereas, Sergeant Messer returned home to Boone County after he received a medical discharge because of injuries sustained during Desert Storm, including post-traumatic stress disorder. He was a VFW member; and

            Whereas, Sergeant Messer passed away in his home on March 18, 2012, survived by his parents; his sons, Elijah Messer, Justin Green, Gage Messer and Dane Messer; and his bothers, David Messer and Jacob Messer; and

            Whereas, It is fitting and proper that U. S. Army Sergeant Mark Andrew Messer be remembered and acknowledged for his dedicated service to his country; therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

            That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name a portion of U. S. Route 119 in Boone County, beginning at a point, latitude 38.52773, longitude -81.50927, and ending at a point, latitude 38.54209, longitude -81.501417, the "U. S. Army SGT Mark Andrew Messer Memorial Road"; and, be it

            Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to have made and be placed signs at both ends identifying the road as the "U. S. Army SGT Mark Andrew Messer Memorial Road"; 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 and the family of U. S. Army Sergeant Mark Andrew Messer.