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Soliders/Family Organize to Help Vet in Need
By Wally Morris
Nov 21, 2008 - 9:28:43 PM



Blackanthem Military News


New York National Guard colleagues, family members and friends of Iraq War Veteran Chris Morris, are organizing a December 4 fundraiser to benefit this victim of ALS, better known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.

WHO: Fellow National Guard Soldiers, and family members of Iraq War veteran Sgt (retired) Chris Morris

WHAT: A fundraising dinner/ dance and silent auction to benefit retired Sgt. Chris Morris and his family.

WHEN: 5:30 p.m., Dec. 4, 2008

WHERE: Michael's Banquet House, 1019, New Loudon Road, Cohoes.

WHY: Army families traditionally support each other, and as Chris Morris and his family begin their battle with this disease—which results in the body being unable to function due to muscle weakness and atrophy—Chris Morris's Army family wants to help him.

BACKGROUND:

Website: www.chrismorrisbenefit.org

Sgt (Retired) Chris Morris:

Chris Morris was born on 16 August 1976 in Grand Folks North Dakota where his father was serving in the Air Force. In 1997 he joined the New York Army National Guard and was assigned to headquarters company 1st Battalion 105th Infantry as a mortar gunner. Following the Sept. 11 attacks he was mobilized with his unit to provide security to airports and facilities around New York State and earned an Army Commendation Medal for his service.

In civilian life he worked as a chef.

In October 2003 the 1st Battalion 105th Infantry was consolidated with the 2nd Battalion 108th Infantry and slated to deploy to Iraq. During predeployment training at Fort Drum he was diagnosed with Crohn's disease—an inflammation of the bowels—which threatened to keep him from deploying with his unit. He argued that he should be allowed to deploy and went with his unit to Iraq in 2004.

Following his return from Iraq he transferred to the Joint Forces Headquarters in Latham where he worked in the information technology office until he could no longer discharge his duties. He was retired from the Army in June 2008.

Lou Gehrig's disease:

More properly known as Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Lou Gehrig's disease takes its popular name from that of the famous New York Yankees ballplayer whose fight with the disease was chronicled in the movie "Pride of the Yankees".

The disease is a neurological disorder which attacks the nerve cells responsible for controlling voluntary muscles; upper motor neurons and the lower motor neurons degenerate or die, ceasing to send messages to muscles. Unable to function, the muscles gradually weaken, waste away, and twitch.

One in 250,000 Americans has ALS.

The cause of ALS is not known, and scientists do not yet know why ALS strikes some people and not others. No cure has been identified for the disease, however the FDA has approved a drug treatment that may reduce damage to the motor neurons and prolongs survival.

Members of the media wishing to write about this event or contact Chris Morris and his family should contact Chris's Brother Wally Morris at 519-331-9658.

http://www.blackanthem.com/News/livi...eed18902.shtml