Army Sgt. 1st Class Layne Morris of South Jordan, blinded in his right eye in a firefight in Afghanistan on July 27, is a reluctant hero.
After accepting the Utah Medal of Honor and Certificate of Merit from Gov. Mike Leavitt this past week, Morris quipped, "I'm just the guy who didn't duck." Utahns are obviously proud of Morris for his service in the fight against terrorism, but his humility makes him that much more endearing.
Morris, 40, was hit in the face by grenade shrapnel that lodged behind an eye during a firefight that broke out as the 82nd Airborne Division hunted al-Qaida fighters. He was among five Americans injured in the attack, which killed two allied Afghans and four enemy attackers.
Earlier in the firefight, Morris had pulled a wounded paratrooper to safety. The Utah media became aware of the incident only after Morris' superiors provided details of his bravery under fire during the medal ceremony at the state capitol. Even then, Morris downplayed his role, remarking, "Uh, I didn't carry him out or anything . . . He was laying on the ground and rolling over in pain and I sort of helped him to some cover."
Many young people consider professional sports figures, actors and musicians as role models. But when we liken their contribution to this nation and their service to the country to men and women like Morris, there is no comparison. Athletes and entertainers may add spice to American life, servicemen and servicewomen give the United States its backbone.
Morris, a husband and father of one daughter and three sons, is a demolitions expert with the Utah National Guard's 19th Special Forces. In January, Morris left his job as as director of West Valley City's housing authority to serve in Afghanistan.
He faces many new challenges adjusting to the loss of his sight in one eye. But we are confident that Morris will carry on with great confidence and aplomb. We are reminded of Ernest Hemingway's 1929 New Yorker interview with renown poet and short-story writer Dorothy Parker who asked Hemingway what he meant by the word "guts."
Hemingway replied, "I mean, grace under pressure."
What a fitting description of the manner in which Morris has comported himself under very extraordinary circumstances.
This page joins all Utahns in welcoming home Sgt. 1st Class Morris and we thank him for his selfless service to his country.