Bill Text: MS HR63 | 2010 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Staff Sgt. William S. "Seth" Ricketts; commend life, legacy and military service upon his passing.
Sponsorship: Broadly Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2010-03-18 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HR63 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2010-HR63-Introduced.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2010 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: The Entire Membership
House Resolution 63
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND THE GALLANT SERVICE OF UNITED STATES ARMY STAFF SERGEANT WILLIAM S. "SETH" RICKETTS OF CORINTH, MISSISSIPPI, AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.
WHEREAS, United States Army Staff Sergeant William S. "Seth" Ricketts of Corinth, Mississippi, died on Saturday, February 27, 2010, while fighting for his country and family; and
WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Ricketts, a United States Army paratrooper, was killed by enemy insurgents while serving in action, conducting a dismounted patrol with his brothers- and sisters-in-arms in Bala Murghab of western Afghanistan; and
WHEREAS, known for being full of life, Staff Sergeant Ricketts was assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, in Fort Bragg, North Carolina; and
WHEREAS, graduating from Alcorn Central High School in 2000, where he participated in the award-winning high school band, and enlisting in the United States Army in 2002, Staff Sergeant Ricketts was an American hero, and had been in the United States Army for eight years; and
WHEREAS, after Staff Sergeant Ricketts enlisted in the United States Army as an infantryman in February 2002, he attended One Station Unit Training and completed Airborne School which consists of a grueling test of a soldier in three phases including, "Ground Week," "Tower Week" and "Jump Week" at Fort Benning, Georgia; and
WHEREAS, upon completion of his airborne training, Staff Sergeant Ricketts reported to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment; and
WHEREAS, serving his country with honor while in harm's way, Staff Sergeant Ricketts served remarkably in five tours of duty that included three in Afghanistan and two in Iraq; and
WHEREAS, in support of the War on Terror, Staff Sergeant Ricketts was awarded the Army Commendation Medal with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two Campaign Stars, the Iraqi Campaign Medal with three Campaign Stars, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Parachutist Badge with a Combat Star, and his former comrades in Battle Company (B Company) will continue to honor his memory and his service and sacrifice for his country, both on and off the battlefield; and
WHEREAS, not only was he known for service and sacrifice to his country, Staff Sergeant Ricketts was known as an ideal protector, provider and inspiration for the entire household; and
WHEREAS, an example of providing for his family was Staff Sergeant Ricketts' daily call home to his loving wife to tell her how much she meant to him and that his love grew for her every day; and
WHEREAS, known for his many selfless acts and an ability to create a bond with others, Staff Sergeant Ricketts was not only a true warrior but also a man with great values, dedication and love for his family and country; and
WHEREAS, honored in Afghanistan with a military memorial, Staff Sergeant Ricketts was returned to his family and to his hometown which is grieving the loss of this 27-year-old hero; and
WHEREAS, on March 8, 2010, at Corinth National Cemetery, Staff Sergeant Ricketts' funeral brought thousands of people within the Northeast Mississippi community closer during this difficult time in our country; and
WHEREAS, surrounded by hundreds of family, friends, fellow service members and numerous other compassionate well-wishers during a full military honors service, the sounding of taps was the final ceremony for Staff Sergeant Ricketts who was laid to rest to be with his Heavenly Father; and
WHEREAS, the honor guard rifle salute and other aspects of the funeral details were conducted by members of the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division of Fort Bragg and the United States Army's Patriot Guard Riders escorted the funeral procession of Staff Sergeant Ricketts; and
WHEREAS, to a country, a fallen soldier means a national loss; to a community a fallen soldier means a true hero; to a spouse or parent, a fallen soldier means a husband or son who will not be coming home; and
WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Ricketts is survived by his loving wife, Rosie Jones Ricketts; two sons, Aiden and Cullen; and the couple is also expecting a third child; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Ricketts is comforted by the knowledge that her loving husband, Staff Sergeant Ricketts, believed in his Savior Jesus Christ and that she will one day be with her husband again in Heaven with our Lord and Savior; and
WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Ricketts is also survived by his parents, Bill and Sandi Ricketts, of Glen, Mississippi; siblings, Tiffany Ricketts Sneed and Benjamin Ricketts; grandparents, Bill and Frankie Ricketts of Kossuth; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Warren and Vicki Jones of Corinth; sisters-in-law, Katie Jones Davis and Sallie Jones; and brother-in-law, John Stuart Jones; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize outstanding Mississippians such as Staff Sergeant Ricketts who is counted among America's heroes by virtue of his commitment to our nation's safety and security, and it is with great pride and humility that we recognize the heroic sacrifice of this great American and Mississippian:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize and commend the gallant service and the life of United States Army Staff Sergeant William S. "Seth" Ricketts of Corinth, Mississippi, who was lost in action in western Afghanistan on February 27, 2010, and extend deepest sympathy to his family and friends upon his passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Staff Sergeant William S. "Seth" Ricketts, the United States Army and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
