Many World War II veterans have died in the last decade, but one Omaha veteran is still alive celebrating his 94th birthday.
Ed Morrissette received one of the simplest of gifts, a phone call, but it was from his old division that really made his day. He said he’s one of the lucky one who survived a brutal war and his memory is as sharp as a tack. He remembers to the day how long he was away from home, “4 years, 8 months, 11 days, I forgot how many hours.”
Morrissette recounts his time overseas like it happened yesterday, “lugging that gun and all the ammunition and it gets pretty heavy.”
In 1940, Morrissette joined the Army at just 17-years-old. He became a squad leader of a 50 caliber machine gun squad in the first infantry known as the Big Red One and was part of the second wave of soldiers to land at Omaha beach.
In the middle of our interview a phone call from Brig. Gen. Turner from Morrissette’s old division in Fort Riley, Kansas which coincides with the divison’s 100th birthday.
Morrissette was thankful and happy they called, “It surprised me that they would take the time to do that I think it's great.”
It’s a simple thank you to a man who fought for our country more than 70 years ago.
“I feel very blessed that I’m still here,” said Morrissette.
To celebrate, Morrissette will spend some time with his family and eat one of his favorite foods; ice cream.
