Crestview, Florida, World War II Veteran Celebrates 100th Birthday at Pensacola VA Clinic
PENSACOLA, Fla. – A Crestview, Florida-area World War II Veteran celebrated his 100th birthday at the Joint Ambulatory Care Center (JACC) in Pensacola, Florida, June 13.
U.S. Navy Veteran Ralph J. Morris, who enlisted in the the U.S. Navy in 1942, was recognized during the brief celebration by Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System (GCVHCS) Director Bryan C. Matthews.
"Our Veterans are the reason we exist, and to celebrate the 100th birthday of an individual who was involved in one of the world's greatest conflicts is an honor," Matthews said. "[Ralph] Morris' dedication to his duty serves as an example of what we - as an organization serving those who have served - embody, and I couldn't be more proud to celebrate this Veteran's milestone birthday."
Matthews participated in the ceremony virtually, addressing Morris and his family and friends, while GCVHCS Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) Registered Nurse Care Manager Ashley Nadeau presented Morris with U.S. Navy medals and ribbons he was awarded nearly eight decades ago. Morris also received photographs of the U.S. Navy destroyers on which he served, as well as a book on World War II ships from GCVHCS Home and Community Programs Medical Director Dr. James Heriot.
Morris, born June 13, 1922, in Jefferson, Iowa, enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942, eventually serving aboard US Sigsbee (DD-502) and later aboard USS Alfred A. Cunningham (DD-752). Morris served as a Machinist's Mate (MM) during his enlistment, working in both vessel's power plants.
He ended his U.S. Navy service and opened a home furnishings store in Jefferson, Iowa, was married and has two daughters. He later relocated to south Florida in 1959 and worked as a salesman. He later moved to Tallahassee, Florida, and in 2019 moved to Crestview, Florida, to live with his daughter.
"On behalf of the Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System, I'm honored to wish you a Happy Birthday," Matthews said. "Your dedication and devotion to duty during one of our nation's greatest challenges speaks volumes of who you are."
More than 16 million U.S. citizens served in World War II and less than 250,000 are alive in 2022, according to the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs (VA).
The GCVHCS is comprised of the Biloxi Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center and the Mobile, Pensacola, Eglin and Panama City community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs). Headquartered in Biloxi, Mississippi, the GCVHCS provides a variety of medical outpatient services to more than 82,000 Veterans and other eligible beneficiaries along the Mississippi, Alabama and Florida Gulf Coast.