MECHANIC FALLS – In uniform, on the field, back in action.

This is the kind of action that National Guard soldier Bruce Morris craved while he served a year in Iraq. It’s the energy and laughter on the soccer field, with his daughter and dozens of other kids, which kept him going while facing danger far from home.

“I’d get pictures of my daughter in her uniform,” said Morris. “I missed her and coaching so much while I was over there.”

Morris had missed one season of every sport during his tour of duty. His 10-year-old daughter, Allison, was nearing the end of her softball season when he returned in June. This time Morris wasn’t coaching, but he didn’t waste a day before cheering on the sidelines with his wife, Alicia.

Now it’s soccer season, and Morris is back in full stride. He is coaching a team again, and he has a seat on the Mechanic Falls Recreation Committee, a post that the town waited to fill until he came home. He has even been asked to serve as grand marshal in Poland’s Community Day parade, slated for Sept. 11.

“I was really surprised that he’s coaching again after being away for so long,” said Cindy Cormier, whose daughter Emily plays on Morris’ soccer team. “But that’s how he his. He just gives his time to others.”

When the 33-year-old Morris started coaching about five years ago, he had never touched a soccer ball and knew nothing of the sport.

“We showed up with Allison, and they didn’t have a coach,” said Morris. “They asked for volunteers, but no one moved. So I volunteered.”

Morris’ sense of duty and commitment proved to be deeply rooted, especially when stakes were high. Having served in the Guard now for about 15 years, Morris didn’t wait to be called into action. He volunteered for the first Gulf War, but decisions higher in the chain of command prevented him from going. This time, he volunteered again and went.

Morris said he wouldn’t hesitate to serve another stint overseas if he got the call, although he hopes it won’t be for a while.

“I don’t think Bruce would have a problem going again,” said his wife. “But I don’t know if I could take it.”

Morris’ return home has caused the tightly knit family to readjust. Alicia and Allison had gotten used to doing things without him. Their schedules, their habits, their conversations had one person missing. Now they’re getting used to three again.

“For so long, it was just Allison and me,” said Alicia. “We’d get ready to go somewhere, and Bruce would say, What about me?’ and I realized how much had changed.”

But the family agrees that the change in the past couple of months, since Morris’ return, has been for the better.

“The biggest change is that before Bruce left, he was a devoted father,” said his wife. “Since he came home, everything he does is family-oriented. If he was 100 percent family before, he’s 150 percent now.”

Morris recalled the sights and experiences during his tour of duty and how they would direct his thoughts toward home. He noted how much his experience has changed his outlook on his own life.

“I would see a lot of kids over there every day begging on the side of the street,” said Morris. “I would just think how fortunate my own little girl is. I’ve always thought family life is important, but now I understand how valuable, how precious, and how fragile it is. I wish people would realize just how good we’ve got it here.”

The other adjustment Morris has had to make since coming home is toward the media. While he admitted to never watching much television before he left, he now refuses to watch the news.

“It really bothers me, and it makes me mad,” said Morris. “They never show us rebuilding schools, fixing roads, or handing out food and shoes and candy. I understand that they have to show the bad, because that’s part of war. But 9/11 was bad, too, and they need to show more pictures of that.”

Morris’ eyes welled up, and he overflowed with his thoughts about service, war and home.

Morris said he counts himself as fortunate that most local people seem to put the negative news aside and continue to approach him when he’s out in the grocery store.

“The community support has been monumental,” said Morris. “The support from my job has been great. There was a sign that said welcome home’ at the town office, and (the Department of Transportation) was waiting for me, open arms. They were very good to my little girl at Christmastime and to my family the whole time I was gone.”