Sesser soldier honored

By Jim Muir

A 10-mile stretch of highway on Franklin County’s west side will forever be a reminder of the ‘invisible wounds’ inflicted on soldiers returning from combat.

That was the theme at the Sesser VFW Tuesday afternoon when a crowd of more than 50-plus area residents honored U.S. Army Specialist Travis Picantine who died on Nov. 10, 2009, only a short time after returning from a tour of duty in Afghanistan.

Megan Bowlin, center, is pictured speaking on Tuesday afternoon at a dedication ceremony for her late brother, U.S. Army Specialist Travis Picantine.  Also pictured are, left, Gen. Bill Enyart and, right, state Sen. Gary Forby.

Picantine, 23 and a lifelong Sesser resident, struggled with post traumatic stress disorder following his return from the Middle East. He spent time in Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C after his return to the states and was stationed in New York when he died.

According to Picantine’s mother, Tammie Severs, the disorder led to his death.

“Veterans are not getting the help they need,” said Severs. “We need more PTSD awareness because these soldiers are not being treated when they come home and the suicide rate is through the roof. They come home and they look OK, but there are invisible wounds that people don’t see.”

In order to raise awareness about the struggles returning service members experience and to create a constant memorial and reminder Severs contacted state Sen. Gary Forby and the long process to re-name the stretch of Route 148 between Sesser and Christopher began.

Severs said Forby enlisted the help of Jason Ashmore with the Illinois Department of Transportation and after more than 12 months the process culminated in Sesser with the unveiling of the signs that will be placed north of Sesser and on the south side of Christopher along Route 148 – a 10-mile stretch that will be known as U.S. Army Specialist Travis Picantine Memorial Highway.

“I didn’t want my son to be forgotten,” said Severs. “So I took it to the state capitol, it’s been an amazing process.”

New highway signs were displayed that will be placed at each end of a 10-mile stretch of highway on Route 148 between Sesser and Christopher.

Picantine’s sister, Megan Bowlin, welcomed the crowd that included family members, local and state dignitaries, area veterans and the Patriot Honor Guard.

Bowlin said she considered her brother a “hero” for his service to his country.

“Travis was proud to serve,” said Bowlin. “I feel like he is a hero for his achievements and his qualities.”

Severs said her son would be ‘thrilled’ at the dedication of the highway in his honor.

“If you knew Travis you would love him,” said Severs. “He went in the service to try and make something of himself and to get out of Sesser and see the world. This is a great honor.”

Others who spoke at the event included Forby, Ashmore, state Rep. John Bradley, John Hughes, spokesperson for the Patriot Honor Guard and Gen. Bill Enyart.