Vietnam MOH Melvin Morris Talks About PTSD

Medal of Honor recipient Melvin Morris speaks of experience
The Ledger
James Bennett Jr.
May 29, 2016

“I had a difficult time after the war; very difficult," Morris said of the mental trauma he and other soldiers go through. "I struggled with it. Post-traumatic stress is no joke. I had a point where I didn't care about my family."

Retired Sgt. 1st Class Melvin Morris, who was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Barack Obama, speaks to the congregation of the First Baptist Church of Auburndale on Sunday morning. JAMES BENNETT JR./LEDGER CORRESPONDENT

AUBURNDALE — Melvin Morris still has the Green Beret he first wore officially during a ceremony with President John F. Kennedy.

“It looks rough, but I still wear it,” the Medal of Honor recipient said Sunday at the First Baptist Church of Auburndale.

The 74-year-old retired Army sergeant first class spoke to the congregation about war, his experiences in it, about its impact on those who serve and their families, and when war should be fought.

“There are people that don't like us,” the Vietnam veteran told the congregation on the day before Memorial Day. “They hate us, they hate our religion, they hate this church. They hate the people that go to it.

"I used to think that war was bad," he said. "It's bad if it's for no reason. But to protect our country, our family, our way of life, it may be necessary. There are those that will take us out of this world in a minute without a thought. And it's scary to me.”
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