Bill Text: WV HCR40 | 2020 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: The Hall Brothers Veterans Bridge
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2020-03-07 - Completed legislative action [HCR40 Detail]
Download: West_Virginia-2020-HCR40-Introduced.html
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 40
(By Delegate Hanna)
[Introduced January 27, 2020]
Requesting the Division of Highways name bridge number 51-15-8.69 (51A006), (38.57446, -80.45280) locally known as Diana Deck Girder, carrying WV 15 over the Right Fork of Holly River in Webster County, the “The Hall Brothers Veterans Bridge”.
Whereas, Living in the little village Guardian was Levi M. Hall and Rebecca Perrine Hall and their family of 12 children. When World War II broke out, three sons answered the call to serve their country in the United States Navy; and
Whereas, Walter Ray Hall (1907-1984) was 36 years old when he left his young wife and family and complete basic training at Great Lakes, Illinois. He was transferred to Camp Perry, Virginia, to be deployed, but when it was discovered that he was an educated man and schoolteacher, Walter Hall was instead assigned to educate draftees and bring them up to the necessary fourth-grade level. The war ended just as he was to be shipped out to sea. Following his discharge, Walter Hall returned to Guardian, raised a large family, and continued to serve his state as an educator and school principal in Webster County; and
Whereas, As a 20-year old newlywed, Leonard M. Hall (1922-2011) entered military service at Great Lakes, Illinois. He served aboard the USS New York before being transferred to the USS Franklin, CV-13, serving both in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Leonard Hall was awarded a Commendation from the Commander of the Fifth Fleet for distinguished service and meritorious achievement while serving aboard United States aircraft carrier that was striking the main Japanese Islands near Kobe on 19 March, 1945. After his ship was hit in an enemy air attack, there followed a series of violent explosions of ready bombs, rockets and ammunition which penetrated below decks to the engineering spaces and threatened complete destruction of the carrier. In the face of continuing explosions and raging fires, he remained at his post, despite suffocating smoke and intense heat, and effectively carried out the orders of his commanding officer. His courage, loyalty and devotion to duty contributed materially to the saving of the ship and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. Leonard Hall remained in Webster County for several years, raised a family of nine children in Preston and Monongalia counties, and worked as a West Virginia coal miner until his retirement; and
Whereas, Millard Ross Hall (1926-1973) was the youngest child of the family, leaving the family farm to join the service at the tender age of 16 to follow in his brothers’ footsteps. Millard Ross Hall served in the U.S. Navy, and was stationed in Dutch Harbor, Alaska during Japan’s invasion of the Aleutian Islands. He was also stationed in Egypt and served aboard the USS Savannah in the Mediterranean Sea. Millard Ross Hall later raised a family of three sons and further served West Virginia in its coal mines until his death at the young age of 47; and
Whereas, From their humble beginnings, these three young West Virginians answered the call of service to their country in the United States Navy and asked for nothing in return. Thus, it is fitting that an enduring tribute be established to honor the service of the Hall brothers for their contributions for our state and country; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name bridge number 51-15-8.69 (51A006), (38.57446, -80.45280) locally known as Diana Deck Girder, carrying WV 15 over the Right Fork of Holly River in Webster County, “The Hall Brothers Veterans Bridge”; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Commissioner of the Division of Highways is hereby requested to have made and erected signs at both ends of the bridge containing bold and prominent letters proclaiming the bridge as “The Hall Brothers Veterans Bridge”; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of the Division of Highways.
