Michael Morgan

While attending college as a young man, Michael Morgan decided to fill a need that was presented to him. His local United States Air Force recruiters needed someone to fill an immediate void left by a recruit who reported to the Air Force already injured and unable to enlist, and in stepped young Michael Morgan. Following in the footsteps of his father who also served in the Air Force, Michael decided to put his college courses on hold and enlist immediately on December 31, 1968.

Having grown up in a military family, Michael was no stranger to living all over the world. In fact, as a boy, his family lived in four different states and two countries while his father served the United States. So, it did not faze Morgan at all when he enlisted and was eventually sent to work in Alaska for a year before moving on to Washington D.C. where he worked on Andrews Air Force Base as well as in the Pentagon with Secret and Top Secret clearances.

Although Morgan joined the Air Force without a clear picture of what exactly he hoped to do, he followed orders and worked where he was placed, diligently working as a Buck Sergeant over those next four years. Through this, he found many of his strengths and discovered his own talents and abilities. “I got my career from the Air Force,” he commented. “When I went in, I was young and didn’t know much. But they taught me how things work in the real world.”

On August 31, 1972, Michael’s years of service were complete, and he reentered civilian life. It wasn’t too long after he reenrolled in college courses that he realized his skills acquired in the military could be used in a career much sooner. He took a job with RCA working full time, and eventually went on to work for General Electric, the company from which he retired.

Though he enjoyed his years spent on the technical side of the USAF, the unequivocal high point of his years in the Air Force was when, in Alaska, he met the woman he would go on to marry. Michael and Barbara Morgan are now looking forward to celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary next year! The last fifty years have been full of life for the couple, raising their son and daughter. And now their time is even more abundantly filled with the things (and people) they love. Not only does Michael enjoy playing card games, visiting the movie theater, and even assisting others with their income tax returns, but one of his most favorite ways to invest his time is with his grandson.

When asked about his hope for his grandson and what type of country will be left for him one day, Michael remarked that so much about our current world may seem hopeless, but we would do well to not focus on the negative. “I think it’s the greatest country in the world,” he proudly stated. “And we really like it out here [in Forney].”

His closing plea to us all is this: “Support your troops. These guys are sacrificing a lot to defend this country. Be good to them and thank them.” So, thank you Michael Morgan, and thank you to all U. S. veterans, for the many sacrifices you make on our behalf.