[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 62 (Thursday, April 29, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2794-S2795]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO MORRIS BLACK

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a man 
from Keavy, KY, who bravely served his country in World War II.
  Morris Black was drafted at age 19, and he proudly put on his uniform 
and left his friends and family behind. Among those left behind was his 
sweetheart and future wife, Ms. Pauline Cassidy. During the Battle of 
the Bulge, while serving in one of the most exposed roles within his 
company--a field medic--Black was injured in both his head and leg. In 
a subsequent battle, he rushed from one wounded soldier to the next, 
providing as much care as possible, while coming under heavy enemy 
fire. For his heroic service as a field medic, Mr. Black received 
several medals, awards, and decorations, including the Purple Heart and 
the Silver Star.
  Unfortunately, field medic Black's well-deserved accolades would not 
be presented to him for another 60 years due to bureaucratic oversight. 
Mr. Black finally received these medals on March 7, 2010. Though he is 
appreciative, he is quick to point out that his service was not done 
for the purpose of winning medals; it was to help the soldiers that 
needed his assistance in those critical moments.
  The Corbin Times-Tribune recently ran a story about Morris Black's 
service. As Mr. Black recalls his experience in the interview, he says, 
``There were times when I didn't know whether I'd make it home or not, 
but I did. There is no greater honor than to fight for your country.''
  Today, I know my colleagues will join me in paying tribute to his 
service and I ask unanimous consent that the full article from the 
Times-Tribune be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

             [From the Corbin Times-Tribune, Mar. 20, 2010]

                              A Quiet Hero

                           (By Erica Bowlin)

       Corbin, KY.--Morris Black received a very special delivery 
     in the mail on March 7, 2010. He finally received his Silver 
     Star--60 years after serving in World War II.
       During the war, Morris, of Keavy, won several badges, 
     medals, and honors. For so many years he wondered why he 
     never received his Silver Star, and he was unsure if he ever 
     would.
       Black was drafted into the Army when he was just a young 
     man of nineteen. He was concerned about what would await him, 
     and he was unsure about leaving behind his sweetheart, Miss 
     Pauline Cassidy. But, the young man knew he had a 
     responsibility to fight for his country, to fight for those 
     who couldn't fight. So, Morris Black proudly put on his 
     uniform and joined the Army. The year was 1943.
       Black was first sent to Army basic training at Campground, 
     Illinois. After boot camp he received orders to England and 
     worked there as an orderly in a hospital. Then the call came 
     to go to combat, and off he went to Germany.
       As a Field Medic, Technician Grade 5, Black saw many 
     strenuous battles. During the Battle of the Bulge, he 
     received injuries to his leg and head. In a separate battle, 
     Black's unit was taking heavy enemy fire. Black ran from one 
     fallen soldier to the next, doing his best to care for each 
     and every one.
       ``They had us all penned down,'' said Morris, ``and I just 
     did the best I could to get them in as good a shape as I 
     could get them.''
       Black won the Silver Star for his efforts that day in 
     Germany. He was also awarded

[[Page S2795]]

     the Purple Heart after the battle in which he was injured. He 
     just never got to hold the actual awards in his hand. That 
     is, until earlier this month.
       But Black did not do what he did for the medals. He did 
     what he did because he is a patriot, and he knew he was the 
     only hope his fallen brothers may have had at those critical 
     moments.
       Black is quiet in demeanor, never boasting. But, his honor 
     and integrity shows--in the way he holds his head high and 
     the way he smiles. It is clear that he is a hero.
       ``I was just doing my job,'' he said.
       After two years and nine months in Germany, Black was the 
     only one in his unit who hadn't returned home for leave. 
     Finally, he was granted a leave of absence and got the chance 
     to come home to his beloved country and back to his 
     sweetheart, Pauline. The two had been exchanging letters 
     during the war. Pauline was anxiously awaiting the arrival of 
     her soldier.
       Black received word that the war had ended, just as his 
     ship arrived in New York.
       ``They were unloading at the station when they started to 
     say `the war is over,' and I was very happy that day,'' he 
     said.
       Soon Black was back at home in Keavy, where he'd been 
     raised. He was back with his family, back to his life. He 
     returned to Pauline, and the two were married just a few days 
     later.
       ``I had really missed him,'' said Pauline, ``and I had 
     really worried about him. It was good to have him home.''
       The two began building their house shortly after they were 
     married. They still live in the home today. Black worked as a 
     carpenter, and Pauline worked for the United States Postal 
     Service. The couple had two children, Harold Gene and Sheila 
     Kay. The Blacks will celebrate their 65th anniversary on May 
     19, 2010.
       Morris Black continued to serve his community and country 
     after returning home. He was one of the founding members of 
     The Disabled American Veterans Chapter 158 in Keavy. The 
     center now serves as a community gathering place.
       ``They hold family reunions and play ball at the field,'' 
     said Black.
       Black also worked as a volunteer firefighter. Pauline 
     remembers her husband rushing off at all hours to fight 
     fires.
       ``He would be working on something and when a call came in, 
     he was out the door,'' she said.
       ``There was about three or four of us who got together and 
     decided we needed a fire department. So we started one,'' 
     said Black.
       The Keavy Volunteer Fire Department is thriving and 
     continues to serve the community. Black is proud of all he 
     has done, and very grateful that he has been able to serve. 
     He is most grateful, he said, for his family.
       ``It feels good to have my wife and children, and 
     grandchildren and great-grandchildren. That's what really 
     makes me proud.''
       Morris and Pauline live each day as it comes, and they 
     thank God for every day they have together.
       ``There are times when I didn't know whether I'd make it 
     home or not, but I did. There is no greater honor than to 
     fight for your country. And there's nothing like the feeling 
     of having people who love you,'' said Black.
       After a lifetime of service, Black has every right to brag, 
     but that is not his style. As he holds his Silver Star in his 
     hands, he looks at it with pride, and he does appreciate it. 
     But the real satisfaction for a soldier is much bigger than 
     an award. Black remembers each one of the soldiers he stopped 
     to help that day in Germany, and thinks of the ones who 
     didn't make it home. His gratitude is to those who fought 
     before and with him, and for those who continue to fight.

                          ____________________