Veterans Day 2011

"The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive how the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation." General and President George Washington, 1789.

Sean was the Master of Ceremonies at this year's Veterans Day Program in Aberdeen.  He did a fantastic job and I am so proud of him for putting aside his fears and speaking in front of a gymnasium full of people.

Colonel Herman, Sean Johnson, Colonel Holzhauser

 My Favorite Veteran

At the airport the morning Sean left for Iraq August 2005

Receiving Meritorious Service Medal from Captain Vetter

SSG Sean Johnson

Welcome Home May 2007

Veterans in Our Family

Melissa's Family:

Grandfather Harold Anderson US Army WWII

Uncle Brian Anderson US Air Force

Cousin Jason Anderson USMC Iraq

Grandpa Duane Shoemaker's cousin George Shoemaker WWII

Step-Grandfather Paul Cameron US Army WWII

Step-Father James Cameron S.D. National Guard

Uncle Truman Henry USMC

Cousin Jason Engel S.D. National Guard Panama

David Small US Navy

Cousin Michael Small USMC Iraq

Sean's Family:

Grandfather Herbert Ring US Army WWII

Father David Johnson US Air Force

Sean Johnson US Army Reserves Persian Gulf, Hungary, Iraq

Brother Jason Johnson US Army Reserves Iraq

My Grandpa Harold was Eisenhower's flight
mechanic and traveled with him during WWII

I hope I didn't miss anyone.  If I did, please send me a message or leave a note in the comments.