Jun. 05, 2017
HARRISBURG – A proposal to remember Capt. Mark T. Resh, a hero from the Lehigh Valley who was killed during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2007, took another step toward becoming law, after the House passed
House Bill 181 on Monday, said Rep. Gary Day (R-Lehigh/Berks).
Day authored legislation that would designate a section of Route 100 in Lehigh County as the Capt. Mark T. Resh Memorial Highway.
“Capt. Resh’s memory is kept alive through family, friends and all who had the pleasure of knowing him,” Day said. “However, this highway designation is intended to remind everyone who travels this section of Route 100 that this local hero gave his life so that we can enjoy our freedom every single day.”
Under House Bill 181, the section of highway being designated would be from the intersection of Main Street and Tilghman Street in Upper Macungie Township, Lehigh County, to the intersection of Claussville Road and Kernsville Road in Lowhill Township, also in Lehigh County.
Resh, who served as an Apache helicopter pilot with the U.S. Army in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, was assigned to the 4th Attack Recon Battalion 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Air Division. He bravely piloted his helicopter to support the coalition ground forces until his aircraft was struck by enemy fire and crashed on Jan. 28, 2007. Resh, who was killed at the age of 28, was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and the Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action.
Commissioned in May 2001, Resh was stationed in Germany and deployed in Iraq from May 2003 to July 2004. He deployed for a second time in October 2006.
Before his military service, Resh was a 1996 graduate of Northwestern Lehigh High School, where he was a member of the National Honor Society, Math Club, Student Council and captain of the varsity soccer team in his senior year. He went on to the University of Pittsburgh, and graduated summa cum laude, earning a bachelor’s degree in engineering in 2001. He was also an Eagle Scout with Troop 72 of Fogelsville.
“From an early age, Capt. Resh distinguished himself as a leader,” Day added. “He took his leadership skills to college and then into the military, where he served two tours of duty. We are forever indebted to Capt. Resh, and his surviving parents, Charlie and Carol of Fogelsville, along with this family. May he always be remembered.”
The legislation now goes to the Senate for consideration.
Representative Gary Day
187th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jennifer Keaton
jkeaton@pahousegop.com
RepGaryDay.com /
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