Less than a week after receiving a Purple Heart for the injuries he incurred while serving his country in Marjah, Afghanistan, Demopolis native Casey Morrison received word of another honor headed his way.

Morrision, the 2005 graduate of Demopolis High School who had his right femur shattered by an IED (improvised explosive device) Feb. 12, has undergone four surgeries and approximately an hour a day of physical therapy but will take some time away from recovery Monday to be a part of the Opening Day ceremonies Monday for the Washington Nationals, the Major League Baseball team that plays its home games in the nation’s capitol.

While Morrison is not entirely sure of his role in the festivities just yet, he is aware that it is a formal occasion. He has been instructed to wear his white dress uniform for the event.

“Just going to the baseball game in a dress uniform,” Morrision said nonchalantly from his hospital room in Bethesda, Md. “We’re going to be on the field when the president throws out the first pitch, then we’re going to watch the ball game with the president.”

Morrison, who has taken the opportunity to catch Baltimore Orioles games whenever possible, was honored by the opportunity, but downplayed the event’s significance.

“I don’t think it is really any big deal,” Morrison said. “I mean, definitely not anything to write a newspaper article about.”

Still, Morrison did admit his excitement about the opportunity to meet Barack Obama, the man who holds the highest office in the land.

“I think that it is pretty cool to get to meet the President of the United States,” Morrison said. “I’m a Republican, but it is the president, so I guess it is a big deal.”

Morrison and others will watch the game between the Nationals and defending National League champion Philadelphia Phillies with Obama.

While the news exciting, it may not have been the best news Morrison could have received last week.

A late-week physical therapy session brought with it sure signs of progress.

“The lady told me she could feel the muscles tense and all when I tried to move my foot,” Morrison said.

After the incident, Morrison was told it would take six to 12 months for him to walk again and the he may not regain full use of his right foot. So the apparent tensing of muscles is nothing short of a considerable positive.

“It’s not really hurting too bad at all compared to when it first happened,” Morrison said.

“I think he’s doing good,” Morrison’s mother, Connie Weaver, said. “We’re just thankful he wasn’t hurt any worse.”