RSSHonor Our Troops This Memorial Day
Move America Forward | May 25, 2009
It was Easter Sunday, 2004. I got the visit from the Army that every military mother fears with every beat of her heart. I already knew what the gentleman would say, but I wasn’t prepared for the eternal void that hangs in my heart, spurring me to help other mothers and fathers whose brave sons and daughters gave their lives to protect our great country.
April 10, 2004 will forever be the day I relive the pain that shattered my world as I knew it. Our youngest son, a proud soldier, was killed by a terrorist who planted a roadside bomb. Justin knew he lived danger every day, and he was prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice after terrorists attacked America and killed 3,000 innocent people on Sept. 11, 2001.
In the five years since Justin died, I made it my mission to comfort moms and dads, sisters and brothers who have lost, as I have, a loved one in the military. I have met many and know what it’s like to belong to that most unfortunate club: The Gold Star families, those of us whose loved ones have given their lives to protect America. And I have a special appreciation for every man and woman serving in harm’s way each day.
Every Memorial Day, I remember not only Justin, but all of his buddies and every man and woman who died in the line of duty. My family has had someone fight in every war that America has had to fight, stretching back to the Revolutionary War. Justin was the first to give his life.
In Floyd County, Georgia, where our hometown of Rome is, Justin was the first Iraq War veteran to give his life; and the media call every year to ask what we’re doing for Memorial Day. We are doing the same thing we do every year. We are honoring our men and women. We will pray for them and their families. I will visit Justin’s grave in Myrtle Hill, not far from where we live. And I will remember our troops who continue Justin’s fight overseas.
Please remember out troops by sending them a care package this Memorial Day.
After Justin died my husband Joe decided he wanted to go to Iraq and finish the job Justin was doing. Justin was a gunner on a HMMWV (Humvee). I was beyond worried when Joe signed up with the National Guard, but Joe was determined. My heart sank when the Guard deployed Joe to Iraq in the same spot where Justin died.
Our only surviving son, Joshua, was also deployed with the Army to fight the war on terror in Afghanistan. Every day I prayed that I would not get another visit from the Army with the message – “we regret to inform you . . .”
The most important thing for my husband and sons while they served overseas was to hear from me and other Americans that we supported them and their missions. They were in danger every day as they fought for America’s security. Notes and packages from home give our troops hope as they suffer from brutal heat, stress from combat, and loneliness, as they long to be with their families.
As we remember those who served our country and gave their lives on Memorial Day, we must remember those who are currently putting their lives on the line for us every day. Nothing can bring back Justin, but I will honor him and the other fallen heroes by remembering his brothers and sisters in arms who are still on the front lines of the war on terror, fighting the good fight.
Please sponsor a care package for our troops. Move America Forward makes it easy to send a great box of goodies with a personalized message to our men and women in uniform. And what better way to show our troops who sacrifice so much that we remember them back home and honor their efforts?
God Bless our troops, our fallen heroes, our veterans, and the United States of America.
Jan Johnson
Proud Gold Star mother of Justin Johnson, and Blue Star mother of Joshua and wife of Joe Johnson.
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