Our Soldier

SPC Morgan K. Iverson

Active Army
Stationed in Basra, Iraq

Morgan left for Iraq in May of this year. The article below was written and submitted by his mother DeAnn to the Mormon Times. It's contents were published this past July in a special article recognizing courageous saints in the service.

"Morgan served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Missouri Independence mission. He was home for 2 years when he came to me and told me he had to join the army. It was a feeling he had since he had returned home. He followed those strong feelings and joined the army in the medical field. He received his basic training in Ft Benning, Georgia and his advanced training in Ft Sam Houston, Texas. He is/was stationed in El Paso, Texas at Ft Bliss/Biggs Air Field. Morgan is now a combat medic.
He is a fine example to the members of his troop of what a good LDS member should be, and some of them have become interested in learning more about the church. He helped one of his fellow soldiers, and a friend to become active again and work thru the steps of repentance process to become an elder before they were deployed. It was because of his quiet and unwavering example.
Morgan is an example to all whether in the army or wherever he is. He carries extra Book of Mormon with him to give away whenever possible. He is jokingly and respectively called “the prophet” by the men he serves with. Morgan stands in “holy places”. He finds the church and attends the temple wherever and whenever he can.
He has been in Iraq for five weeks now. He feels that he is continuing his mission in the army. He is currently trying to organize a church group to have meetings on Sundays. He knows the lord is with him at all times and will bless him as he strives to do what is right and stay close to him."



It has now been almost four months since he arrived in Basra. I'm so proud of him! I might sit and complain because I don't have any air conditioning. . . but he doesn't have it either. It's a lot hotter there, and he has to stand out in the sun for hours wearing his full uniform and boots. He's my superman. He knows that's where he is suppose to be, and what he is suppose to be doing. I know that this experience has given him the opportunty to grow closer to our Heavenly Father. He's all that he really has out there. He has fellow soldiers as well as sergeants inquire about his beliefs, and has had many opportunity's to share his testimony with them. Many know of him and his faith, he's resolved to do whatever he needs to, to show others that he truly believes ---he knows that his actions as well as words are constantly being observed and, and watches himself to make sure his actions are consistant with what he preaches. He's my best friend! I know that he's suppose to be there, and because of that, I know that everything will be okay. I do miss him; we all miss him, but know that we'll see him before we even know it! Keep fighting for what's right Morgan; we love you!








Some of his fellow medics.

The Iraqi children just love the American soldiers!

This was our last day together before he left for Iraq. I can't believe it's already been 4 months! Only twice that much longer. . . and he'll be home!

~Tara & Travis Tichenor~

It was so much fun to be able to go home for Tara and Travis' wedding. Everything was beautiful, the food, the music, all the friends and family, but especially. . . this brand new couple! Congratulations you two!

One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty, and justice for all!

I had an opportunity to go to Liberty and Ellis Island with a group from my singles ward. It was such a neat experience to go and walk through the process that thousands and thousands of immigrants experienced to be permitted into America. There were so many sacrifices made by those that left their old lives venturing across the Atlantic to a place where they had the freedom to create a new life for themselves.

Starting off on our adventure saying goodbye to Manhattan. . . . though it would be just for the rest of the afternoon.

Me, Lex, and Marvi

There she is!

I can't help looking at her and not be overcome with reverence for all that she stands for. Every time I see her, I feel overcome with hope. She points towards the East, ushering in new tomorrows. This is our Lady Liberty.

Also known as "Isle of Hopes, Isle of Tears"

Like my cool headphones? The audio tour was my favorite part!

So you'll have to imagine an awesome picture of the Kissing Gate right here because while we were on our tour, Security closed off the Kissing Gate. . . yes, I can only imagine.

I don't blame them for wanting to come here!

The floors were lined with as many wooden benches as they had room for. Everyone awaiting the verdict, praying to hear what they had come so far to be told. Could they stay, and begin a new life here in America, or would they be forced to take the lonely voyage back to their homes, and life they'd hoped to leave behind? I imagine a room full of humble travelers, mustering up their most fervent prayers, pleading to the Father with all the capacity of hope they had left in them, for the opportunity to enter a world unlike any other, a land of hope, a land of opportunity, a land discovery, a land of promise, a land of freedom.

I wish I could listen to each of them tell their story. . .

What would you include in your trunk full of treasures? What would you be forced to leave behind?

They were forced to perform tests, like children's puzzles, to see if they could think. If their performance was less than acceptable, they were given a chalk mark, smeared on them.

How long does it take you to count the happy faces? More than 20 seconds? Chalk mark. "Processing" included a series of heath, as well as mental tests that sometimes lasted days.

It was mandatory that you have a months worth of money, about $25.00 to be allowed into the country, unless it was stolen on the trip, in which case you had to go to a trial and state your case, hoping and praying they choose to believe you.

Brochures advertising all the different Railroads in the United States.

"Papa had been notified. . . to come to New York. I have a vivid memory of seeing him holding us by the hands through an iron fence. He was not permitted in the room with us. With tears running down his cheeks, he asked me (at 7 years of age) to take care of the children as best I could." Martha Knaup Kohlroser, a German immigrant 1927.

Land of the free, home of the brave.