Photo By Master Sgt. shannon blackwell | Maj. Tim Morgan, operations officer, 1st Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation...... read more read more
USASOAC honors its Military Families
USASOAC Public Affairs
FORT BRAGG, North Carolina – The U.S. Army Special Operations Aviation Command (USASOAC) honors its Military Families this month, highlighting Maj. Tim Morgan, his wife, Audrey, and their four children, T. David, Bethany, Anna and Chloe.
Each November, the President signs a proclamation declaring November National Veterans and Military Families Month, recognizing the daily sacrifices made by military families.
Morgan, an MH-6 Little Bird helicopter pilot with 1st Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, began his journey in the Army straight out of high school in 1988 from Huntingdon, Pennsylvania as an infantryman.
After achieving the enlisted rank of staff sergeant, Morgan attended Warrant Officer and Flight School in 1995 where he met Audrey.
“I joined (the Army) because there was so much more to country, service and being part of something larger than being a college student,” said Morgan. “The lineage of our family was deeply rooted in military service, and I knew it was something I would feel as though I was giving back to the generations of Americans who had provided the foundation of the life I was enjoying.”
In the following 25 years, the couple would experience numerous moves, including 13 deployments, all while building their family.
Audrey spent many of those years in the home raising their children.
“We made a decision at the beginning of our marriage that we would make every effort to allow me to stay home with the children,” said Audrey. “I stopped working when we were expecting our first child, David, and did not return to the workforce until all of our childen were in school.”
Audrey said she was able to find job opportunities at the children’s schools enabling her to maintain the same schedule.
In line with the current season, the Morgan family believes deeply in giving back.
“We believe that volunteerism is very important and is vital to a community,” Audrey said. “ We have tried to find various ways to help, regardless of where we live.”
From working at food banks to ringing the Salvation Army bell, the Morgans are also serving at a nation-wide level by organizing a winter clothing drive for Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, delivering those items next month.
“There is always something that we can do to help others,” she said.
Eight years ago, Maj. Morgan retired from active duty service and began contract work with the 160th SOAR. But, he wasn’t quite done with Army service yet.
“I am unable to articulate my love for this nation or my blessing to be able to serve in such a small capacity where so many have done so much before me,” he said. “At the very mention of being able to serve again, I answered immediately with what I believe was God’s calling. I walked away from a very secure, satisfying and well-paying position to offer myself and my family to this nation, to the Special Operations Community and our precious cargo, the customer.”
Morgan returned to active duty in July of this year.
“I never sacrificed to serve,” he said. “I received gratification at every young Soldier’s promotion or award or reenlistment; of every aircraft launched; or every mission, trip or training I did.
“But, what makes me most proud of my family is that they are the ones who didn’t have a dad for birthdays, holidays, proms, boyfriend/girlfriend trouble,” he continued. “My wife didn’t have a husband at home to talk to when the kids were asleep or to change the oil in the car, replace broken appliances or shovel snow. And, yet, they continued to march on, serving and sacrificing.”
The Morgan’s have some advice for young families new to Army life.
“Learn how to communicate with each other effectively,” said Audrey. “Don’t be afraid to try new things! Whether it is taking a kayak down the rapids or learning how to replace a kitchen faucet, take the chance.
“Being a military family, to me, means to love our great country enough to make sacrifices to ensure her freedoms remain intact,” she continued. “The road is not always easy, but the rewards are so worth the journey.”
For more information, please contact USASOAC public affairs at 910-907-0960 or arsoacpao@socom.mil.
| Date Taken: | 11.30.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 11.30.2020 11:41 |
| Story ID: | 383928 |
| Location: | FORT BRAGG, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 431 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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