Committee Report

March 05, 2024

H. 4906

Introduced by Rep. Gilliam

S. Printed 03/05/24--H.

Read the first time January 23, 2024

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The committee on House Invitations and Memorial Resolutions

To whom was referred a Concurrent Resolution (H. 4906) to request the Department of Transportation name the bridge that crosses the Lockhart Canal on South Carolina Highways 49 and 9 "SP5 Walter 'Bubba' Brannon Memorial, etc., respectfully

Report:

That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and recommend that the same do pass:

DENNIS MOSS for Committee.

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A concurrent RESOLUTION

to request the department of transportation name the bridge that crosses the lockhart canal on south carolina highways 49 and 9 "sp5 walter 'bubba' brannon memorial bridge" and erect appropriate signs or markers at this location containing these words.

Whereas, born October 29, 1942, in Lockhart, South Carolina, Walter Lee "Bubba" Brannon was one of thirteen children of Grady and Nellie Brannon; and

Whereas, he was described by younger sister, Brenda Brannon Petty, as a good fellow who loved life, and like his brothers and sisters, delivered the newspaper to make extra money. Another favorite pastime was playing the pinball machines at the local J.T. Parks store; and

Whereas, Brannon married the former Janice Inman and together they were the parents of three children, Walter, Jeff, and Penny; and

Whereas, Brannon and Petty's husband, Ralph, joined the Army together. Brannon was a Specialist Five armor crewman with the 1st Infantry Division, 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry, A Troop. He was able to come home shortly before his youngest daughter Penny was born on December 5, 1967; and

Whereas, on March 30, 1968, Specialist Five Brannon was declared a casualty of the Vietnam War. He died through hostile action in South Vietnam, Gia Dinh Provence, and was buried in Union Memorial Gardens; and

Whereas, Specialist Five Brannon was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, the oldest military award given in the name of the president to those wounded or killed while serving. He also is honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., and the South Carolina State Vietnam War Memorial in Columbia; and

Whereas, it is only fitting and proper that Specialist Five Brannon, a son of the Palmetto State who gave his life in defense of his country, be honored with a landmark named for him in Union County. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, request the Department of Transportation name the bridge that crosses the Lockhart Canal on South Carolina Highways 49 and 9 in Union County "SP5 Walter "Bubba" Brannon Memorial Bridge" and erect appropriate signs or markers at this location containing these words.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Department of Transportation.

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