Bill Text: WV HCR108 | 2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: The "Army Specialist Fourth Class Tommy Joe Belcher Memorial Bridge"
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-1)
Status: (Passed) 2013-04-13 - Completed legislative action [HCR108 Detail]
Download: West_Virginia-2013-HCR108-Introduced.html
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 108
(By Delegates Eldridge, Stowers, Tomblin, R. Phillips,
White and Marcum)
Requesting the Division of Highways to name the bridge on County Route 3, Crawley Creek Road, Logan County, bridge number 23-3-4.31, the “Army Specialist Fourth Class Tommy Joe Belcher Memorial Bridge”.
Whereas, Tommy Joe Belcher was born on September 12, 1939, the son of Lee and Gertie Belcher; and
Whereas, Tommy Joe Belcher was raised in the Crawley Creek area of Logan County near Chapmanville and attended Logan County schools; and
Whereas, Tommy Joe Belcher entered the Army in 1964 and served with the 140th Transportation Detachment, 117th Assault Helicopter Company, 52nd Aviation Brigade, MACV at Qui Nhon, Republic of Vietnam; and
Whereas, Specialist Fourth Class Tommy Joe Belcher was killed in Vietnam on February 10, 1965, when the Viet Cong blew up an American enlisted men's temporary billets in Qui Nhon City, killing him and at least twenty-two other U.S. soldiers; and
Whereas, Specialist Fourth Class Tommy Joe Belcher was awarded the Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation and Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation; and
Whereas, On that fateful day in February, 1965, Specialist Fourth Class Tommy Joe Belcher gave his last full measure of devotion to his country and to his comrades-in-arms; and
Whereas, It is only fitting and proper that this bridge on Crawley Creek Road be named for Specialist Fourth Class Tommy Joe Belcher, and that it henceforth stand as a memorial to honor his supreme sacrifice; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Legislature hereby requests the Division of Highways to name the bridge on County Route 3, Crawley Creek Road, Logan County, bridge number 23-3-4.31, the “Army Specialist Fourth Class Tommy Joe Belcher 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 “Army Specialist Fourth Class Tommy Joe Belcher Memorial Bridge”; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates forward a certified copy of this resolution to the Secretary of the Department of Transportation and to the surviving family of Tommy Joe Belcher.
