HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 85
### (By Delegates Dean, Steele, Maynor, Bridges, W. Clark, Hornby, Butler, Heckert, Vance, Eldridge, and Worrell)
[March 11, 2025; Referredto the committee on Energy and Public 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. S. Army CPL Lavern 'Mousey' Testerman Memorial Bridge".
Whereas, Lavern "Mousey" Testerman was born on July 3, 1918; and
Whereas, Lavern was from the small town of Whitetop, Virginia. Before shipping out of San Francisco, California after joining the U. S. Army he came to visit Wharncliffe, West Virginia with a friend who would later become his brother-in- law. He fell in love with his-soon-to-be wife, Virginia Stanley and the mountains of West Virginia. Lavern and Virginia had four children: Carol Faries, Gay Chapman, Viirgil Testerman, and Debbie Dean; they also had six grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren; and
Whereas, U. S. Army CPL Lavern "Mousey" Testerman enlisted in the U.S. army in 1941 where he served on the front lines in the Philippines; upon completion of that term he re-enlisted and served a second term on the front lines in the Philippines; and
Whereas, 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; and
Whereas, 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. To ensure he didn't fall asleep he pulled the pin on a grenade and held down the strike plate. He was able to warn his platoon they were about to be overrun thus saving the whole platoon and company of over 120 soldiers; and
Whereas, After the war, U. S. Army CPL Lavern "Mousey" Testerman started working in the mining industry in 1946; worked in the coal industry as a welder until his retirement in 1973 due to black lung; and
Whereas, U. S. Army CPL Lavern "Mousey" Testerman spent the remainder of his life in Wharncliffe, West Virginia; and
Whereas, U. S. Army CPL Lavern "Mousey" Testerman passed away on October 14, 1994; and
Whereas, 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; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to 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. S. Army CPL Lavern "Mousey" Testerman 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 CPL Lavern "Mousey" Testerman 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.