Charlie Morse, Extraordinary Person...

I posted the below as a reply to another thread. Since there weren't many 'reads' after that, I thought I'd make a separate thread, as I believe many others would not only be surprised by the information, but they would also want to know it. He certainly deserves, in my book, special recognition and remembrance in our organization.

A little more as I remember it...

Charlie Morse (Land Elephant) had enlisted in the Marine Corps as a young man and been sent to Viet Nam during the very end of America's active combat there. The decision had already been made to send no additional troops or to even replace those already there as their tours concluded and they were rotated back to the States, withdrawal being the order of the day. Following completion of his normal twelve-month tour, Charlie's was extended six more months to help 'cover our ass' during the drawdown. When that was completed, his tour was extended yet another six months. During that second extension, he was severely wounded.

At first, the doctors didn't expect him to live. After being med-evaced out of country and following several surgeries, it was concluded he'd probably live, but he'd not likely ever walk again. He worked incredibly hard at rehab, all the while receiving many more surgeries, most major. He was persistent, dogged really, in his determination to not only function normally again but to remain in the Corps. The Corps had other more 'practical', 'realistic' ideas in mind... He was to be 'medically retired'.

He pleaded his case all the way up the chain of command. Rejected at every level, his case eventually landed on the desk of the Deputy Commandant of the Marine Corps... All of his amazing against-all-odds work to bring himself back over the course of several years, combined with his obvious compelling desire to remain in service... paid off when he was finally allowed to reenlist after all. He spent more than twenty years until his eventual 'normal' retirement, all the while beating incredible odds and overcoming 'impossible' hurdles.

Not just the story of another 'lifer' who simply didn't want to get out. That man lived one of the truly incredible stories of heroic ordinary people facing unbelievable hardship and persevering through sheer, painful, determined effort few of us ever even imagine, let alone actually encounter, and through the iron will to overcome any hardship or roadblock. He simply would not settle for the easier path...

To chat with Charlie, one would never assume the true caliber of the person standing in front of them. He is one of the most inspirational characters I've ever known... Even though I'd known and ridden with Charlie for several years, I only discovered 'the rest of the story' while hanging out at Ram's house with Charlie, Ron, Jerry, and this curious observer simply getting better acquainted... Oh yeah, I am indeed extremely glad I made that ride!!!

DDT