Sergeant Major Thomas M. Morrissey (USA Ret.), Hunter Douglas VP of Sales, Honored

PEARL RIVER, N.Y., Feb. 1, 2013 – Sergeant Major Thomas M. Morrissey (USA Ret.), Vice President of Sales at leading window covering manufacturer Hunter Douglas, was recently honored by the U.S. Army Special Forces community with The Silver Order of Saint Philip Neri Award. The prestigious award is conferred in alternate years to members of the Special Forces Association who have demonstrated extraordinary performance and contributions to Special Forces, also known as Green Berets.
Morrissey received the award at a banquet hosted in his honor by The Special Forces Association Chapter XXXVII in the greater Chicago area. At the dinner, the chapter also presented him with a donation to Transitional Living Services for Veterans (TLSV), where he serves as a board member.

TLSV provides facilities throughout northeastern Illinois for homeless veterans and those suffering from more serious challenges such as traumatic brain injuries and PTSD. The Special Forces Association is a nonprofit, fraternal organization committed to the preservation of the history and traditions of Special Forces. In addition, it serves to promote camaraderie among past and present members of Special Forces as well as its associates. 

The Silver Order of Saint Philip Neri Award recognizes those individuals who have demonstrated the highest standards of integrity and moral character; displayed an outstanding degree of professional competence; served in the United States Army Special Forces or the Special Forces Association for a period of 15 years or more with selflessness; and contributed to the promotion of Special Forces or the Association in ways that stand out in the eyes of the recipient's seniors, subordinates and peers alike.

“To be acknowledged by my peers is very humbling,” said Morrissey. “I’ve never thought of my time in service, let alone in war, to be anything other than doing what I loved, and what our country needed.”

First deployed in Afghanistan in 2003, Morrissey had three tours of duty there with the Illinois National Guard. He returned from that first assignment in early 2004 and was back at work at Hunter Douglas for six months when he was called for his second deployment. His third deployment immediately followed the second. In 2006, while involved in combat operations in southern Afghanistan, he was ambushed and shot at close range eight times by an AK-47. Hit in both legs, both arms and twice in the chest, Morrissey spent three years in recovery and had 20 surgeries. He was first at Fort Gordon’s Eisenhower Army Medical Center and later at the nearby Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center’s Active Duty Rehab Unit in Augusta, Ga.

Morrissey is now back working full time at Hunter Douglas, where he heads the Key Accounts Sales Group for the company. During and after his recovery Morrissey has given back, helping younger soldiers and Marines, many with missing limbs, as they face every day the physical and emotional pain of long-term therapy. In 2011, Morrissey was presented with The Courageous Spirit Award on behalf of all wounded warriors from The Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation. Morrissey has also worked in support of projects initiated by the Augusta Warrior Project in Augusta, Ga.

“We are enormously proud of Tom Morrissey and so very grateful for what he has done for our country and for those injured in the line of duty. What an honor, indeed, to be recognized by the U.S. Army Special Forces with The Silver Order of Saint Philip Neri Award,” said Marv Hopkins, Hunter Douglas President and CEO.

Hunter Douglas Inc., headquartered in Pearl River, N.Y., is the leading manufacturer and marketer of custom window coverings in North America and a major manufacturer of architectural products with approximately 6,000 employees and 40 divisions. The Company is also a national sponsor of Habitat for Humanity, covering windows in every Habitat home built in the U.S. and Canada. Its products include Duette® honeycomb shades, Silhouette® window shadings, Pirouette® window shadings, Vignette® Modern Roman Shades and Luminette® Privacy Sheers and Modern Draperies.

For more information, call 1-800-274-2985 or visit: www.hunterdouglas.com.