A segment of U.S. Highway 72 from one end of the Glen city limits to the other was named the William "Seth" Ricketts Memorial Highway. A Glen native, Seth Ricketts was killed in Afghanistan on Feb. 27, 2010. The state Department of Transportation will maintain the special signs.
The segment isn't on a scenic route of any sort. Anyone driving that piece of highway knows it is just a peaceful and smooth ride with no bumps or disturbances. The scenery consists of sporadic residents and tall trees. That peaceful strip of highway is fitting though, considering Glen is so small and peaceful. Seth did 'go back home after all'.
Staff Sgt. William S. Ricketts of Corinth, Mississippi is a 2000 graduate of Alcorn Central High School where he was a member of the school band. He enlisted in the United States Army in the fall of September of 2001, just a day after the events of 9/11.
He already served two tours in Iraq and was currently serving his third tour in Afghanistan. His Awards and Decorations included, the Army Commendation Medal with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, The National Defense Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two Campaign Stars, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal with three Campaign Stars, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the NATO Medal, and the Parachutist Badge with Combat Star.
He died at age 27 in Bala Murghab, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire. A plane carrying Seth arrived at the Roscoe Turner (Corinth) Airport on Saturday, March 6, 2010 http://www.yelp.com/biz/roscoe-turner-airport-corinth
Burial was at Corinth National Cemetery in Corinth, Mississippi http://www.yelp.com/biz/corinth-national-cemetery-corinth
Day is done ... Gone the sun ... From the lakes ...From the
hills ... From the sky ... All is well ... Safely rest ... God is nigh ...
Fading light ... Dims the sight ... And a star ...
Gems the sky ... Gleaming bright ... From afar ... Drawing nigh...Falls the night ...
Thanks and praise ... For our days ... Neath the sun...Neath the stars...Neath the sky ... As we go ... This we know ... God is nigh ...
(The words to TAPS) read more