By Betty Lee
On Saturday, October 1, the Walker family was recognized as bridge number 20-079/00-019.22, locally known as I-79 Clendenin I/C NB, carrying I-79 over CR 53 in Kanawha County, was officially named “Walker Brothers Veterans Memorial Bridge.” It was a fitting tribute to name this bridge after Albert J.L. Walker, Allie Melton Walker, Ray Melton Walker, Roger Bill Walker, and David Allen Walker, whom all so bravely served in the United Sates Military.
Albert J.L Walker served as a civil engineer in the U.S. Air Force at the Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska when the Great Alaskan Earthquake hit in 1964. He was active in rescue efforts and recovery of the dead following the strongest earthquake in North American history.
Allie Melton Walker swerved the U.S. Airforce at the Kaden Air Force Base, Okinawa, Japan as an aircraft mechanic. He deployed to Vietnam for three moths at a time as the crew chief on the C130 aircraft delivering cargo and picking up the wounded and dead. He earned a Good Conduct Medal.
Ray Milton Walker served in the U.S. Army at the Dong Team Base Camp where he was part of the ground recon team for the 1stAviationBrigade. He was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, Bronze Star, National Defense Service Medal, and Town Bronze Stars, and Marksman Badge with Rifle Bar.
Roger Bill Walker served in the U.S. Air Force at Udorn Airbase, Thailand as a radar operator and air traffic controller assisting with bombing of North Vietnam. He received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Air force Good Conduct, and Special Ops.
David Allen Walker joined the WV Army National Guard while a senior in high school, Green Beret with 19th S.F. Group Airborne as a combat engineer. He was injured during paratrooper training when the plane caught fire, forcing him to jump onto the tarmac in full combat gear. He continued to serve and transport. He also served the Sate pf West Virginia as a Delegate from the 33rd district from 2009-2015.