HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 23
(By Delegates Pritt and Linville)
[Introduced February 14, 2025; Referredto the committee on Energy and Public Works then Rules ]
Requesting the Division of Highways name bridge number [10-025/00-000.06] ([10A113]), locally known as Dunloup Creek Bridge #2, carrying Thurmond Road/CR 25 over Dunloup Creek in Fayette County, the "U. S. Army Private First Class Calvin Esco Spade Memorial Bridge".
Whereas, Hico in Fayette County, West Virginia on February 2, 1933; and
Whereas, Private First Class Calvin Esco Spade joined the United States Army on April 8, 1953; and
Whereas, Private First Class Spade served in the Korean War as a general equipment repairman, and received the National Defense Service Medal; Private First Class Spade transferred to the United States Army Reserves in April of 1955, where he served for an additional eight years; and
Whereas, After serving in the Korean War, Private First Class Spade returned to live in Meadow Bridge, West Virginia with his wife and worked for the Chessie Railroad System – now known as CSX – in Prince, West Virginia; and
Whereas, Private First Class Spade worked with the train crews that worked through Thurmond and beyond, taking every opportunity in his spare time to explore and research the ghost town, fishing under the bridge in the New River, even after he was promoted to Yardmaster and moved to Walbridge, Ohio, he would take trips home to visit family and tell his children everything he knew about the town of Thurmond; and
Whereas, Private First Class Spade retired from CSX in 1996 due to illness; and
Whereas, Just two months before his death in November of 1998, Private First Class Spade's son Dana captured a photo of Private First Class Spade on his favorite bench in Thurmond, and his ashes were spread behind the terminal along the tracks that Private First Class Spade so dearly loved; and
Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate Private First Class Calvin Esco Spade and his/her 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 number [10-025/00-000.06] ([10A113]), locally known as Dunloup Creek Bridge #2, carrying Thurmond Road/CR25 over Dunloup Creek in Fayette County, the "U. S. Army Private First Class Calvin Esco Spade 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 Private First Class Calvin Esco Spade Memorial Bridge"; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of the Division of Highways.