FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 15, 2006
Contact: Anika Mitchell Perkins
(662) 329-7124
MUW recognizes Laster for service in Iraq
COLUMBUS, Miss. – Mississippi University for Women
recognized one of its own at its annual staff
holiday luncheon on Friday.
William Seth Laster, 25, a specialist with the 2nd
Battalion, 114th Field Artillery Regiment of the
Mississippi Army National Guard, was honored for his
service in Iraq. He works at the power plant on
campus.
Laster was away from home for about 17 months and
was in Iraq just under a year.
While in Iraq, Laster helped deliver supplies and
hand out soccer balls. He later went to Hitt, Iraq,
which is a part of the Suni Triangle and is in the
heart of the insurgency, according to information
provided by Sgt. Kevin Wells. There he performed
patrols, searched buildings and houses and manned
checkpoints.
“On behalf of the staff of MUW, we would like to
express our sincere appreciation for your
dedication, sacrifice and service to our country,”
said Stephen Taylor, MUW Staff Council president.
“Thank you for helping to ensure our freedom.”
As part of the ceremony, members of the West Lowndes
High School ROTC Color Guard were on hand. They
presented the colors and also performed a
flag-folding ceremony.
“In addition, Representative Roger Wicker is sending
you a U.S. flag that flew over the in Washington,
D.C.,” Taylor said. “The flag is currently en route
from Washington to Tupelo.”
After the ceremony, a teary-eyed Laster said he was
appreciative of the recognition. He said the end
result of the flag was one of the best he had seen,
noting he had been to several flag-folding
ceremonies.
He added that the occasion was bittersweet. “We did
lose one soldier over there,’ he said, noting Staff
Sgt. Tommy Little of Aliceville, Ala. Little died of
injuries he received when a roadside bomb blasted
his vehicle in Iraq.
“I didn’t realize how important our job was, until…”
said Laster, who came home for leave and heard about
Little’s death on the radio.
