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In
The Spotlight Marvin Morgan |
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In
1993, one year after graduation, Marvin welcomed the birth of his
beautiful daughter, India Renee Morgan. (Click
here to see Marvin and India.)
She was born on March 16, 1993 to
Marvin and high school sweetheart, Yolanda Brown.
Faced with the responsibility of caring for a child both
financially and physically, Marvin had to make a choice. Would he force
his mother to take care of India's financial support and continue with
his football dreams or would he be the person most guys in his position
dared to be? Shortly
after India’s birth, Marvin joined the United States Army. Since then
he has received nine (9) declarations. Today he is an 8-year veteran,
ranked as Staff Sergeant.
On the day I spoke with Marvin, I realized never knowing him in high school was a big loss. In addition to being a supportive and caring father, he is also a dedicated soldier who enthusiastically serves our country. From most spirited in 1992 to most devoted in 2002, this edition of In The Spotlight is one I am most proud to write.
CRE: What do you do for fun? MM: I usually go home (to Ft. Worth), play with India and hang out with Terral and Don. CRE: Do you stay in close contact with your old high school teammates? MM: Just Terral Williams and Don Hutchinson. CRE:
Have you seen any other former classmates since our graduation? MM:
A few
months ago when we had the Happy Hour I was able to hang out with a few
of the graduates. We went to the club and hung out all night. That was
nice. CRE:
So how did you, Marvin Morgan, end up in the Army? MM:
I never would have believed I would join the Army. That was never a
thought. When I graduated from high school all I wanted to do was play
football. I was heavily recruited and ended up going to Angelo State.
But when Yolanda got pregnant, I knew I had to support my kid. The coach
wouldn’t let me work because athletes can’t play football and
work. I had to do something. My daughter needed financial assistance,
health insurance, and security. So it was a choice between football and
taking care of my daughter. I guess it really wasn't a choice. My
daughter came first. CRE:
Most guys in your position would have taken a different route. MM: I never thought twice about it. Girls need a good father figure. Being in the service has reinforced my norms and values. CRE:
What else has the Army done for you? MM:
It’s made me very patriotic. CRE:
How so? MM:
Somebody
needs to defend this country. Most of the general public does not
realize what it takes to guarantee freedom. America is the freest nation
in the world. And the price of freedom is very high. CRE:
Is there racism in the military? MM:
Of
course there is racism in the military. The military is nothing but an
institution. Yeah, there’s racism but it’s not tolerated because you
can’t go into a foxhole and be worried about who you can trust. CRE: Speaking of foxholes, have you completed your tour of duty? MM: I did a short tour of duty in South Korea. Later I plan to do a long-term tour of duty possibly in Germany. CRE:
What was that like? MM:
I guess
if I had to say anything about my stay over there it would be that I had
the opportunity to experience a different culture. It wasn’t a
vacation. The citizens would always protest and it was too dangerous to
go out. Plus, it was bone-chilling cold in Korea. CRE:
How long were you there? MM:
I was
there from February 1998 until March 1999. CRE:
You mentioned the protests. Was it some kind of war during that time?
Top
Click here to view more photos of Marvin &India. You can also visit the PHOTO GALLERY page to see more photos of Marvin.
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MM:
In
January 1999 North Korea fired a missile over Japan’s airspace.
That’s a level B threat, one step from war (level A). Anybody who was
eligible to go on leave wasn’t able to go home because the threat had
to be above 80% strength to hold down North Korea from attacking South
Korea. We were told if war erupted we were not expected to live. CRE:
You were there to protect South Korea? MM: CRE:
What was your role in Korea? MM: CRE:
Did you like anything about your stay in South Korea? MM:
There’s some good shopping in Korea. You get things 50, 60, sometimes
70% cheaper than here in America. CRE: Obviously you are back in Texas. Are you afraid you might get called to Afghanistan after the attacks on September 11th? MM: At first yes, then after we, the unit, got briefings on the role that we would play overseas, no. I got mentally and physically prepared to do the best I could. CRE:
Where were you during the World Trade Center attacks? MM:
I was in Ft.
Irwing, California doing training exercises. We were there for 45 days
under desert conditions practicing fight exercises. CRE:
How did your unit do? MM:
(laughing) We got our asses kicked. But
nobody is going to beat those guys in California. They are the best of
the best. Those exercises are used to gauge our weak points. CRE:
So you returned to Killeen and what happened? MM:
I’m in the Rapid Deployment Unit.
That’s an infantry unit who fights in all the major wars. When they
say it’s time to go, it’s time to go. We don’t have time to say
good-bye or anything. CRE:
But your unit didn’t get called to Afghanistan. MM:
No my whole unit didn't get the call but a company consisting of about
120 soldiers and about 30 mechanics left the day before
Thanksgiving. Ft. Hood is a heavy unit with lots of
heavy equipment, like tanks. Afghanistan can’t handle that
type of equipment. Even so, the heavy stuff is stationed all around
Kuwait and Afghanistan’s borders. A portion of my unit is stationed
there and the remaining soldiers were on lock down until two weeks
before Thanksgiving. We weren’t able to go home or anywhere else for
that matter. CRE:
What did your family think? MM:
They were nervous. I couldn’t tell
them too much. CRE:
Now that you are no longer on lock down, how often are you able to go
home? MM:
I go home every holiday. CRE:
What do you tell your daughter about your career? MM: CRE:
Does she live with her mother? MM:
No, I
have custody of India. I delegated it to my mother till I leave this
rapid deployable unit at Fort Hood. That's the best place for her.
She is on the honor roll and only made one "B" this year. CRE:
Did you and Yolanda ever marry? MM:
We
married but divorced in July of 1996. CRE:
Do you think you’d ever marry again? MM:
Yeah, I can see myself married. CRE:
Do you have any more children? MM:
India is my only child. But one day I
would love to have a boy. CRE:
Any candidates for the mother of that little boy? MM:
I’m single. No candidates. CRE:
Come on. You’re single, attractive, and young. Are you telling me
there is no one special in your life? MM: CRE:
So how long are you going to be in Ft. Hood? MM:
I’ll be leaving Ft. Hood in June to
go to a lighter unit in Ft. Knox, Kentucky. CRE:
What about India? MM:
She’ll be with me. CRE:
I never asked you how old you are. MM:
I’m 27. (Born May 23, 1974.) CRE:
What are your long-term goals for the future? MM: Retire, raise India, and move into a house somewhere in Texas. CRE: How long before you retire? MM: I plan to retire in 12 years. That's when I will be eligible for a 20 year retirement. CRE: What about your short- term goals. MM:
Well, like I said, I’m going to
Ft. Knox in June for four years. While I’m there I plan to get a
Bachelor’s degree in Resource Management. I already have my Associates
in Applied Science from Central Texas College in Killeen, Texas. CRE: When did you have time to earn a degree? MM: I took most of my classes in Korea. That’s one of the good things about being in the Army. The G. I. Bill gives us money for school. We get Tuition Assistance during our enlistment and a college fund once we get out. If we don’t use it we can give it to our children. CRE: You seem to have everything together. Would you say life is good? MM: Life is good! I make good money, my daughter is taken care of and her college tuition funds are set. CRE: I have just one more question to ask you, Marvin. What kind of car does an Army Staff Sergeant drive? MM: I just got a new 2001 Black Ford Escape. CRE: That’s about what I figured. Well, Marvin, this has been great. I would have never guessed you would be such a likable person. Are you really Mr. Nice Guy? MM: Yes I am a nice guy, but I am a Gemini as well which means I can change at any split second. But being a parent has really helped my patience and made my head more leveled. CRE: Thank you for your time, Marvin. MM:
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