School sends mentor to war
Published 4:00 pm Monday, November 8, 2010
- U.S. Army Lt. Col. Danny Morgan speaks to Snow Rogers Elementary School students at a special assembly in his honor. Morgan departed for Afghanistan on Friday.
American Legion Post 255 and VFW Post 10250, both of Fultondale, are hosting a Veterans Day ceremony on Thursday at 10 a.m. at the North Jefferson Memorial Wall in Fultondale.
They will meet to honor veterans like U.S. Army Lt. Col. Danny Morgan, who is married to Snow Rogers Elementary physical education teacher Susan Morgan, and often speaks at the school.
“He’s been here before, so the kids know him. He’s very supportive of the school,” said Snow Rogers principal Karen White.
Morgan departed for Afghanistan on Friday, and the school held an assembly Thursday to see him off. The students presented him with a Snow Rogers shirt, a flag bearing the Bible verse Jeremiah 29:11 for Susan to wave when Morgan departed, and a proclamation saying that Nov. 4 would be known as “Thank you Mr. Morgan Day.” Students also made several posters, recited poems and sang songs for Morgan and his wife.
“I’ve already gotten cards from almost every student. They say everything from ‘Please don’t die’ to ‘you’re in our thoughts and prayers.’ They’re very comforting and very touching,” said Morgan.
Morgan enlisted in the Army in 1976; even though he’s done other things between periods of active duty (he’s currently a physical education teacher in Birmingham), he’s stayed in the military the entire time.
“I joined to use the Army for adventure,” he said. “It just fits my lifestyle so well. I try to teach my students stewardship and taking pride in their nation, and that translates into Army life.” Morgan was also an avid member of the Boy Scouts of America when he was young, and said that had a big influence on his decision to start a military career.
Morgan will be in an undisclosed location in Afghanistan for 400 days. He is going to support the 401st Army Field Support Brigade, which will “support combat and sustainment forces in Afghanistan,” according to Morgan.
“It’s obvious to me that he is extremely proud to serve his country,” said White. “He is a wonderful role model for people of all ages and a true patriot in every sense of the word.”
