Local Catholics honored with Seven Seals Award

A special ceremony was held on Tuesday honoring two local Catholics for their dedication and support for the nation’s military.

Jim and Kathy Morrell, parishioners at Our Lady of Assumption in Latham, were honored with a ‘Seven Seals Award’ from the Department of Defense. The award commemorates the couple’s years of support for both active duty military members and Veterans. 

The ceremony was held at the Holiday Inn Express and Suites and attended by close friends, family and military personnel. 

“It’s great to recognize where we came from and why we have the freedoms that we have,” said Jim Morrell. “We often take so many things for granted. There were a lot of people that died that were able to have that freedom today.”

Jim Morrell is the current chairman of Pamal Broadcasting, which operated nearly two dozen radio stations in New York and Vermont, and a ‘66 graduate of Siena College. Last year, he was named the 2019 Entrepreneur of the Year by Siena College. 

“We thank (veterans) for their service and their commitment,” added Morrell. “We pray for those people that are living with disabilities because of their service, and those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.”