WOODVILLE – When Sam Morgan, a Colmesneil resident, was a senior in high school, the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001 took place, and suddenly, seemingly, everyone around the world stood in solidarity with America.
Morgan, like many young men and women, felt duty-bound to serve and protect his country after witnessing what had taken place, and joined the Marine Corps following his high school graduation.
A serious injury prior to a deployment to Iraq led him back to civilian life in 2006, and 100% disability from the VA.
Frankie Rogers, a retired U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force veteran, said he heard about Morgan, and felt he should be recognized somehow. Rogers said he recently received a U.S. flag from a veterans’ advocacy group, and decided that the flag should go to someone who was injured in service.
He contacted Morgan and presented him with the flag at the Tyler County Booster office in Woodville last Thursday afternoon. Rogers invited a group of fellow veterans to come and meet the young man, and said that “veterans help veterans.”
Rogers spoke about Morgan, who operates a barber shop in Colmesneil with his wife. Morgan was also presented with a hat by fellow USMC vet Jose Narvaez, who has volunteered for more than a decade at giving birthday parties to elderly veterans.
Morgan, who went into the service and trained to be a diesel mechanic, said he was grateful to be recognized, and credited his family and Colmesneil resident Brigham Bigby for inspiration and continued encouragement.
Circumstances are, said Rogers, that many veterans are currently not aware of the full range of benefits offered by the VA, and he encouraged all vets to look into those benefits, which now include dental, and to visit the county’s Veterans Service Office for assistance in signing up, if needed.
Rogers concluded his remarks by imploring all who were present to fly their U.S. flags proudly on Nov. 11, which is Veterans Day.
