Page 37 - Amarillo Senior Link Magazine Fall 2021 - Online Magazine
P. 37

army
                                                                                                  vIetNam





             canvas “Lyster” bags. “It tasted okay,
             but you didn't want to look inside
             because they were always full of
             bugs.”
             Jerry Morris was in Vietnam
             from Feb. ’67 to Feb. ’68. After his
             deployment, he was sent to Camp
             McCoy, Wisconsin and then to
             Germany, where he operated a
             tank recovery vehicle. He separated
             August 19, 1970, at the age of 21.

             Back in Texas, he visited his brother
             in Denton who was the manager of a
             glass shop. After spending the night
             with him, his brother said, “Get up.
             You're going to work.” He worked in                 back and serve again.” He does regret that veterans
             that glass shop for six years and much preferred it to   returning from the grueling battlefield of Vietnam
             being a mechanic. Jerry has been in the glass business   were spit on and called names and told not to even
             now for over 50 years.                              wear their uniforms. But Fay said, and Jerry agreed,
                                                                 that the Honor Flight he took to D.C. was “very
             While in Denton, he discovered that one of his      healing”.
             childhood friends, Fay Modisette, was at TWU. Fay
             had lived on a nearby farm in Wayside. In fact, it   Jerry Morris is open about his convictions. In fact,
             was one of the places he frequented as a 7th grader.   he is as “transparent as glass” when it comes to the
             “I even asked Fay’s mom once if she would like to   things he believes are most important in life.
             have me for a son-in-law.” Jerry and Fay had ridden
             the school bus together from Wayside to Claude.     “1. Jesus Christ.
             Jerry asked her out, and, after just a few attempts,     2. Stand for the flag. Kneel for the cross.
             she agreed. They married in June 1971 and recently     3 Life is not a handout. You're not entitled.”
             celebrated 50 years together (not counting the bus
             time).                                              Vietnam may not have been a popular war, but the
                                                                 unique challenges transformed a lot of boys into
             Fay got her BS in Education. Jerry got his GED, and   outstanding men. Jerry Morris is one of them.
             they moved back to the Panhandle. Jerry went to
             work for Binswanger Glass, then PPG, then Royal
             Glass, then started his own glass company. Fay
             taught Special Education at Canyon ISD for many
             years. They have three boys – Jeremy, Jay, and Jody.
             Eventually, Jerry sold his glass company and now
             works with Jay and Jody who own Morris Glass in
             Claude.
             Sixteen years ago, Jerry was diagnosed with non-
             Hodgkin's lymphoma – likely, a result of his
             exposure to Agent Orange, but he says, “I can't
             complain. I’ve had great care. Amarillo has the best
             VA around.” Despite his physical setback, Jerry is
             still so proud of his country. “If I was able, I'd go
                                                                     WE  SUP PORT  OUR  VE TER ANS


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