Section 1. Corporal Mahlon L. Fink Iwo Jima Memorial Highway Interchange.
(a) Findings.--The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:
(1) Mahlon L. Fink lived a life of dedicated and humble service to his community and to this Commonwealth.
(2) Mr. Fink was born December 1, 1925, in what is now the Daniel Boone Homestead.
(3) Mr. Fink was a student at Reading High School, when he was compelled by a sense of duty to join the war effort. He dropped out of school following his sophomore year and joined the United States Marine Corps on his 18th birthday.
(4) Mr. Fink was a member of the 5th Marine Division in the Pacific Theater.
(5) Mr. Fink and his company landed on Iwo Jima on February 16, 1945, as one of the first units in combat.
(6) On the 12th day of combat, Mr. Fink was injured when a mortar round fell near him sending shrapnel into his legs. As a result of his injuries, Mr. Fink was awarded the Purple Heart.
(7) Mr. Fink was present on Iwo Jima when the United States flag was raised on Mt. Suribachi, and he witnessed the raising from the beaches below.
(8) After being discharged from service, Mr. Fink owned his own painting and paper hanging business, where he painted and wallpapered many of the finest homes in Berks County for 52 years until his retirement.
(9) Mr. Fink was very active in the Marine Corps League and was a lifetime member of the Russell M. Butterweck Detachment where he served as chaplain.
(10) Mr. Fink was also a lifetime member of the Adamstown V.F.W. and a member of the Wyomissing U.C.C. where he was a Deacon and Elder of the church, serving as president in 1979.
(11) Fifty years after joining the Marine Corps, Mr. Fink was awarded an honorary diploma by Reading High School.
(12) Mr. Fink also participated in many veterans events, speaking to high school children, nursing home residents and Boy Scout troops, telling the story of his service to keep the memory of World War II alive.
(13) Mr. Fink passed away on February 27, 2019.
(b) Designation.--The highway interchange of U.S. Route 222 with Mohns Hill Road in Cumru Township, Berks County, is designated the Corporal Mahlon L. Fink Iwo Jima Memorial Highway Interchange.
(c) Signs.--The Department of Transportation shall erect and maintain appropriate signs displaying the name of the interchange to traffic in both directions on the interchange.