McMorris Thanks Veterans, Appreciates His Experience
As Americans recognize Veterans Day on Thursday, Nov. 11, Wolf Point teacher Jeff McMorris salutes all veterans and appreciates the roles that the military has played in his life.
McMorris said when he graduated from high school in 1990, he didn’t have a desire to attend college. “I didn’t know what to do,” he said. “A friend and I talked about joining the Army.”
McMorris signed up to become a forward observer in the Army. That person is responsible for directing artillery onto a target. His basic training took place in Fort Sill, Okla.
He explains the duty included going on a hill and telling the artillery soldiers where to shoot. “If they’re off, direct the rounds onto the target,” he noted.
His service in the military included spending 15 months in Germany.
“Unfortunately, a good amount of those days were in the field, so I didn’t see much scenery,” McMorris said.
Since it was near the end of the Cold War, some units were deactivated in Germany so McMorris came back to the states at Fort Riley, Kan.
“My job was basically the same, but I got moved to a higher battalion level,” McMorris said. “Instead of shooting just normal artillery, we used copperhead rounds.” Copperheads are laser guided explosive shells.
A highlight for McMorris was shooting a copperhead live during a demonstration that included the viewing of several generals.
After his service in the Army, McMorris earned his education degree from Western Montana College. Because of his service, he had to pay very little college expenses.
During that time, he joined the National Guard and served for five years in Deer Lodge and Anaconda.
McMorris, who is in his 20th year teaching in Wolf Point, noted that his family has a military tradition. One grandfather served in World War II, a step-grandfather was stationed in New Guinea, another step-grandfather served in the Navy, an uncle served in National Guard and his brother graduated from Yale, went into the Marines and then worked for the Department of the Army.
“Personally, I think everybody should do it,” McMorris said of serving in the military. “Our veterans go out and protect the United States’ interest around the world. It takes a dedicated person to do that.”
