Jeffrey J.

My son SFC Jeffrey Johnson is a hero in my eyes. He has been in the Army almost 15yrs and has been an exceptional soldier. He was trained as a Cavalry Scout but has accepted every job change that was ordered and performed it to the highest level receiving commendations and awards for also being a Recruiter and a Drill Sgt. He was deployed to Iraq in 2005 and just recently to Afghanistan in February of this year as a Cavalry Scout/Platoon Sgt and at times acting Lt. During a mission he was injured when another soldier stepped on an IED. Although he wanted to return to his unit he was unable to because the blast threw him about twenty feet and ruptured both of his eardrums and caused a possible traumatic brain injury. He is back at Ft Riley receiving treatment for his injuries. On that day there was a reporter from Stars and Stripes on the evac helicopter who started her article about her day with the rescue of my son and unfortunately the soldier who was mortally wounded. These two soldiers were on the ground for approximately 40 minutes because the evac helicopter was under such heavy enemy fire that it took 4 attempts to actually land and transport these two soldiers. The lead picture in her article showed Jeff. This was Jeff's first memory of the incident as he saw the medics trying to save the other soldier. A picture speaks louder than words and as a mother that picture was devastating to see. Besides his Purple Heart he was also awarded a Bronze Star. If you ask Jeff how he's doing he always says fine and hopefully the treatment he is receiving will make this statement come true. As a military Mother I am very proud of the man my son has become while serving his country even though it has certainly been an emotional roller coaster for the entire family.

Signed,
Gayle Johnson