HCR 85 — Lavern “Mousey” Testerman Memorial Bridge

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Red = new code to be enacted HOUSECommittee SubstituteforHOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 8585(By (By Delegates Dean, Steele, Maynor, Bridges, W.

Clark, Hornby, Butler, Heckert, Vance, Eldridge, and Worrell)Worrell)[Originating [Marchin 11,the 2025;Committee on Energy and Public Works;

ReferredtoReported the committee on EnergyMarch and20, Public2025] Requesting Works then Rules ] Requesting the Division of Highways name bridge number:

30-010/01-000.02  () (30A050), (37.55534, -81.96599) locally known as Wharncliffe Box Beam, carrying CR 010/01 over Bens Creek in Mingo County, the "U."U.S.

S.Army Corporal Lavern “Mousey” Testerman Memorial Bridge".Whereas, Lavern "Mousey" Testerman was born on July 3, 1918;

Army CPL Lavern 'Mousey' Testerman Memorial Bridge".Whereas, Lavern "Mousey" Testerman was born on July 3, 1918;

BeforeAfter shipping out of San Francisco, California after joining the U.U.S.

S.Army, but before shipping out of San Francisco, California, he came to visit Wharncliffe, West Virginia with a friend who would later become his brother-in- law.

Army he came to visit Wharncliffe, West Virginia with a friend who would later become his brother-in- law.

Carol Faries, Gay Chapman, ViirgilVirgil Testerman, and Debbie Dean;

andWhereas, U.Corporal Testerman enlisted in the U.S.

S.Army in 1941 where he served on the front lines during the Liberation of the Philippines, and upon completion of that term, he re-enlisted and served a second term on the front lines in the Philippines;

ArmyandWhereas, CPLDuring Lavernhis "Mousey"two enlistments and the liberation of two Philippine islands, Corporal Testerman enlistedreceived numerous awards including the Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts from being shot in two different battles, the U.S.Good Conduct Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Philippine Liberation Medal by the Republic of the Philippines, the Republic of the Philippines Presidential Unit Citation, a Combat Infantryman Badge, and an Expert Rifleman Badge;

armyWhereas, inCorporal 1941Testerman's wheremost hedistinguished servedaward onwas thea frontBronze linesStar. in the Philippines;

uponHis completionplatoon ofhad thatbeen termup hefor re-enlistedtwo days, and servedhe awas secondassigned term on the frontfirst linesnight inwatch. the Philippines;

andWhereas, During his two terms, U.

S.

Army CPL Lavern "Mousey" Testerman received numerous medals including good service, expert marksmanship, liberation of two Philippine islands, liberation of the Philippines, Freedom Metal, National Defense Metal, Fidelity Metal for exemplary conduct, and the Bronze Star;

he was also shot during two different battles and received two Purple Hearts;

andWhereas, U.

S.

Army CPL Lavern "Mousey" Testerman's most distinguished award was a Bronze Star.

His platoon had been up for two days and he was assigned the first night watch.

He was able to warn his platoon they were about to be overrunoverrun, thus saving thehis whole platoon and company of over 120 soldiers;

andWhereas,  After the war, U.Corporal Testerman started working in the mining industry in 1946 and worked in the coal industry as a welder until his retirement in 1973 due to black lung disease;

S.andWhereas, Corporal Testerman spent the remainder of his life in Wharncliffe, West Virginia;

ArmyandWhereas, CPLCorporal Lavern "Mousey" Testerman startedpassed workingaway inon theOctober mining14, industry1994; in 1946;

workedandWhereas, inIt theis coalfitting industrythat asan aenduring weldermemorial untilbe hisestablished retirement in 1973 due to blackcommemorate lung;U.S.

andWhereas,Army U.Corporal Lavern "Mousey" Testerman and his contributions to our state and country;

S.

Army CPL Lavern "Mousey" Testerman spent the remainder of his life in Wharncliffe, West Virginia;

andWhereas,  U.

S.

Army CPL Lavern "Mousey" Testerman  passed away on October 14, 1994;

andWhereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate U.

S.

Army CPL Lavern "Mousey" Testerman and his contributions to our state and country;

30-010/01-000.02  () (30A050), (37.55534, -81.96599) locally known as Wharncliffe Box Beam, carrying CR 010/01 over Bens Creek in Mingo County, the "U."U.S.

S.Army Corporal Lavern "Mousey" Testerman Memorial Bridge";