Bill Text: WV HCR42 | 2023 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: U. S. Army SSG William Joseph “Will” Thompson Memorial Bridge
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 4-0)
Status: (Passed) 2023-03-11 - House Message received [HCR42 Detail]
Download: West_Virginia-2023-HCR42-Amended.html
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 42
(By Delegates Ellington, Gearheart, Smith and Ridenour)
February 16, 2023
Referred to the Committee on Technology and
Infrastructure then the Committee on Rules
Requesting the Division of Highways name Bridge Numbers: 28-077/00-010.89 (NB & SB) (28A200, 28A201), (37.38675, -81.05430) locally known as I-77 NB & SB WV 20, carrying I-77 over County Route 20 in Mercer County, the "U. S. Army SSG William Joseph "Will" Thompson Memorial Bridge".
Whereas, William Joseph Thompson was born March 12, 1971, in Baltimore; Maryland, the son of Marvin Thompson and Violet Thompson (both now deceased); he was the baby of eight siblings: Lisa Abernethy, Phillip Thompson, Samantha Blankenship, Steve Thompson, Jeff Thompson, Glynn Thompson, Cassie Wilkinson, and step sister Carol McGinn; he grew up in Princeton, West Virginia, since the age of two; and
Whereas, William Joseph Thompson attended Princeton Senior High School and graduated in 1989; he loved playing Tiger football and running track; and
Whereas, U.S. Army SSG William Joseph enlisted in the West Virginia Army National Guard and decided he liked military life, following in the footsteps of many in his family, and joined the army as an active duty soldier in 1989, where he became a combat medic; and
Whereas, U.S. Army SSG William Joseph Thompson was stationed many places throughout the country, was deployed two years in Germany, and had two deployments to Iraq; he served eight years active duty then returned to Princeton and again joined the West Virginia Army National Guard with the 1/150 ARS HHT in Brushfork; he began working at Princeton Community Hospital as a nursing assistant and later became an LPN, working in the telemetry unit; and
Whereas, U.S. Army SSG William Joseph Thompson met Suzanne Thompson at PCH, in 1998; they married in 2001 and had a son, Ethan Thompson, in 2003 and a daughter, Ava Thompson, in 2007; and
Whereas, U.S. Army SSG William Joseph Thompson was deployed to Iraq to serve in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003; he returned home to Princeton in 2005 and began pursuing his RN degree at Bluefield State College; after completing one year, he was deployed to Iraq again in 2009; and
Whereas, During this second deployment to Iraq, U.S. Army SSG William Joseph Thompson was stationed at Camp Stryker, near the Baghdad airport. He returned to Fort Stewart, Georgia, in 2010, with respiratory problems;
Whereas, U.S. Army SSG William Joseph Thompson was medically retired from the military on October 27, 2012, with 23 years of service; and
Whereas, U.S. Army SSG William Joseph Thompson advocated for other soldiers who had been exposed to burn pits during their deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan and testified in front of the United States Congress and United States Committee on Veterans Affairs; he shared his story with CBS Evening news and NBC Nightly news, helping to get the word out about toxic exposures; he played a pivotal role in fighting for federal legislation in what is now called the PACT Act that was passed August 10,2022; and
Whereas, U.S. Army SSG William Joseph Thompson passed away December 15,2021; and
Whereas, U.S. Army SSG William Joseph "Will" Thompson was a bright light in this world he was a man of God and praised Him through the good times and the bad. His continued faith was an inspiration to many; he loved to make people laugh, he loved to dance, sing and have fun; he was selfless, always thinking of those in need; he was a patriot and loved serving his country and loved the American flag, saluting the one in his yard every day; he was grateful for each day that was given to him as he knew how short and precious life could be; he was thankful for his two organ donors that gave him the gift of life; he was a wonderful husband, father, brother, son, combat medic, nurse and a true hero; and
Whereas, U.S. Army SSG William Joseph Thompson was awarded many military awards including the Expert Field Medical Badge from Germany, several Army Achievement medals, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism, Expeditionary medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the German Armed Forces Badge of Marksmanship; and
Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate U.S. Army SSG William Joseph Thompson and his contributions to 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 Numbers: 28-077/00-010.89 (NB & SB) (28A200, 28A201), (37.38675, -81.05430) locally known as I-77 NB & SB OVER WV 20, carrying I-77 over County Route 20 in Mercer County, the "U. S. Army SSG William Joseph "Will" Thompson 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 "U. S. Army SSG William Joseph "Will" Thompson Memorial Bridge"; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House forward a copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of the Division of Highways.
