By:Jerry Burke
U.S. Army Specialist Abraham Morales has come a long way from his boyhood home on Newburgh Street. For the past year, he has been halfway around the world, serving his country in the 719th Transportation Division, driving convoys from his home base in Kuwait into many locations in Iraq. "It gets up to about 140 degrees in the shade over there," Morales told students in the Dutch Broadway library last Thursday morning. "I lost about 10 pounds while I was over there, but gained it all back after one night of my mom's cooking."
The welcome-home event was hosted by Assemblyman Tom Alfano, who made double use of the question-and-answer session by presenting Morales with the third annual Hispanic American Community Service Award for the 21st Assembly District. "I can't describe how proud I am of this young man," said Alfano. "Young people like Abraham who leave their homes, family and community to serve their country are the heart and soul of our great country."
Joining the crowd was the Morales family, which by itself constitutes a crowd. Abraham is the fourth of 10 children born to Rosa and Rosalio Morales, who have been in Elmont since 1978. Two of Abraham's younger siblings still attend Dutch Broadway.
"We were nervous," confessed his mother when asked how she felt when Abraham and his unit, stationed in Harlem, were scheduled to ship out. "But at the same time I was secure knowing that he knew his job so well."
Rosa said she was very happy when her son, who has been with his unit for three years, came back the night before Easter. "We are so proud of what he has done," she said.
Morales and his siblings are also heavily involved in the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, which has won five Grammy Awards when he has sung with them.
Dutch Broadway Principal Walter Aksionoff was ecstatic to welcome back one of the school's own, even showing the students Morales's yearbook photo. "He gives the children a great sense of what this school is about," said Aksionoff. "Dedication to family and to school. We're lucky to be so multi-cultural here and also foster a feeling of belonging."
Elmont Veterans of Foreign Wars Commander Tom Bennet and Alfano co-presented a flag that had flown over the Capitol in Washington to the school in honor of Morales's visit. "Abraham's personal sacrifice in serving his country during the war on terror can never be thanked enough," said Bennet, thanking him on behalf of all veterans.
Because of the ongoing situation in Iraq, Morales couldn't go into much detail about his service, which earned him the Army Commendation Medal. He did, however, relate one story about he and his unit being fired upon while transporting supplies. "I was sitting there, eating a can of ravioli, joking around with my buddies, when it happened," he said. "At first I was nervous, but we kept our heads about us and got through it." Morales admitted to finishing the ravioli after the conflict.
"Beside it being hot, the place just took some time getting used to," said Morales. "We were pretty settled after about a month."
Morales thanked many of the teachers he had at Dutch Broadway and Elmont Memorial High School, some of whom are still working there. "They helped me become the man I am today, and they'll do that for you," Morales told the children. He also told them to listen to their parents, as he did. "Parents teach you right from wrong," he said. "Do well in school, all the way through high school and straight into college."
Aksionoff and student body President Jessica Macean presented Morales with keepsakes from the school, including a calendar, a pen, a school pride pin and the Principal's Award for service above the call of duty.
"There are a lot of bad people in this world, and that's why you need to be proud of someone like Abraham who keeps our military strong," said Alfano after the ceremony. "What better place to honor him that in front of the very young people who are the next generation of leaders?"
If the students of Dutch Broadway learned the value of service, honor and discipline, the answer is none.
