A Fayette County native who made the ultimate sacrifice is honored with a Prince, West Virginia bridge in his name.
Brother Marvin Plumley was elated to see the crowd in attendance at the Bridge site dedication.
“I consider this as hallowed ground… what a fitting tribute to have this bridge named in honor of my brother,” Marvin said.
“It means a lot because for 70 years nothing was done and the picture that you see on my lapel there hung on my mom’s living room wall all the time that she lived after he was killed.”
Seventy years in the making… the state of West Virginia unveils the newly renamed U.S. Army PV2 Harold Richard Plumley Memorial Bridge, for the Fayette County native who was killed in action in 1953.
Senator Jack Woodrum (R-Summers 10) says it’s always a privilege to recognize the families of a service member who made the ultimate sacrifice. Harold Plumley was killed during the Korean conflict in a battle with Chinese.
“We’re at a point in our nation’s history again where we may be in conflict with China over Taiwan. We see these conflicts all around the world and this is an opportunity to remind people of the sacrifices that our military makes, and also of what we owe of them as a country.”
Outside the Plumley family, according to Mark Totten — the story of their brother Harold was unknown to people. Private Plumley’s story was lost in the oblivion of history.
“And now we have been able to make sure that he will never be forgot, not just within the family but within the state of West Virginia, said Totten, president of the Chesapeake and Ohio Historical Society.
This bridge is close to Harold’s home.
“Come full circle: he left from this train station and his body was returned to it,” Woodrum said.
As for how Harold would feel about this kind of recognition, Marvin says he would definitely like it.
“Cause he was proud of his uniform and he was proud of his country,” Marvin said.
