SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 69

(By Senators Plymale, Jenkins and Stollings)

Requesting the Division of Highways name bridge number 50-152-32.48, in Wayne County, the “Staff Sergeant Sidney H. Blankenship Memorial Bridge”.

    Whereas, Sidney H. Blankenship was born June 4, 1939; and

    Whereas, Staff Sergeant Sidney H. Blankenship served his country during the Vietnam War; and

    Whereas, Staff Sergeant Sidney H. Blankenship was wounded during a surprise attack by a battalion of North Vietnamese Army troops on February 26, 1968; and

    Whereas, Although wounded, Staff Sergeant Sidney H. Blankenship calmly organized and encouraged the troops to provide an effective defense against the enemy attack; and

    Whereas, Staff Sergeant Sidney H. Blankenship was hit three times, but kept his fighting spirit by aiding in the defense of the command post; and

    Whereas, After nearly four hours of rigorous fighting, the North Vietnamese Army moved back to take care of the dead and wounded; and

    Whereas, For his bravery, Staff Sergeant Sidney H. Blankenship was awarded the Silver Star Medal, the third highest medal awarded, the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart; and

    Whereas, Sadly, Staff Sergeant Sidney H. Blankenship passed away December 22, 2010, bring an end to a life of dedicated public service; and

    Whereas, It is fitting and proper, to honor the life of Staff Sergeant Sidney H. Blankenship, for his dedicated service to his state and country, by naming this bridge in his memory; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Legislature hereby requests the Division of Highways to name bridge number 50-152-32.48, in Wayne County, the “Staff Sergeant Sidney H. Blankenship 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 “Staff Sergeant Sidney H. Blankenship 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 and the family of Staff Sergeant Sidney H. Blankenship.