Dedication
11th Street bridge renamed for local U.S. Navy veteran Mark Hutchison
ELKINS — More than 100 people gathered Saturday at a bridge dedication ceremony to honor the memory of an Elkins sailor who lost his life on the USS Iwo Jima during Operation Desert Shield.
The 11th Street bridge over the Tygart River has been renamed as the U.S. Navy BT2 Mark Edward Hutchison Memorial Bridge, and the dedication ceremony featured special remarks, a reading of the bridge dedication resolution, prayers and special music.
“Dedicating a bridge is a perfect symbol of what Petty Officer Hutchison gave,” said Roger Ware, commandant of the Elkins Marine Corps League, during the ceremony. “For those who cross this bridge every day, the signs will serve as a silent sentinel that freedom has a price, and Mark Hutchison gave his life to help pay for this freedom.”
Ware said Hutchison enlisted in the U.S. Navy on April 12, 1983, after graduating from Elkins High School in 1981. Hutchison served honorably as a petty officer 2nd class boiler technician and was deployed aboard the Navy assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LPH 2) to the Middle East in August 1990.
He and nine other sailors were killed Oct. 30, 1990, during a boiler-room rupture in the Persian Gulf, as the ship was just leaving port following repairs.
“Today as we stand near this small cement bridge and reflect upon this fallen soldier and his great sacrifice, we recognize the naming of this bridge will serve as a lasting symbol of our remembrance,” Ware said. “His ultimate sacrifice shall not go unnoticed, and the naming of this bridge is a proper way to honor Mark Hutchison by ensuring that future generations are aware of his sacrifice in the cause of freedom. It is with respect and dignity that we are here today to remember him, honor him and pledge never to forget him.”
Ware thanked Tim Harris for writing the resolution for the bridge dedication, which was then supported by Delegate William Hartman, D-Randolph, and Sen. Greg Boso, R-Nicholas, before receiving approval from the West Virginia Legislature.
During Saturday’s ceremony, members of the American Legion Post 29 Honor Guard participated by presenting flags, Tammy Anderson offered prayers, and bagpipers Bruce Dillon and Sandy Tice performed “Taps” and other special music.
Born on March 30, 1963, in Elkins, Hutchison was the youngest of five children of Edward S. Hutchison and the late Helen Ruth Purkey Hutchison.
Edward Hutchison is a 93-year-old World War II Navy veteran who now lives in Wilmington, North Carolina. He was able to attend Saturday’s ceremony, along with his four surviving children: Steve Hutchison, David Hutchison, Barbara Hutchison Combs and Nancy Hutchison Fahey.
“It’s truly amazing,” Combs said of the ceremony and the nice turnout. “I’m so glad everyone could be here this morning. Thank you all so much.”
Family members said Mark Hutchison was familiar with the 11th Street bridge, which he traveled across many times throughout his youth going to EHS and the Randolph County Vocational Technical Center. He also was involved in numerous organizations including Boy Scouts of America, the Izaak Walton League and the Woodford Memorial United Methodist Church.
Following his death, Hutchison’s remains were returned to Elkins for final military rites and burial in the Mountain State Memorial Gardens on Nov. 5, 1990.