Today marks the remembrance of all American Military veterans, still with us or in the next world. We honor and salute their dedication and bravery to our Nation. We owe them our gratitude. I am particularly touched by a fine young man that I have known for the past four or five years: Captain William Johnson, Jr. Here is his story.
My son Ryan is married to a remarkable young lady, Jessica. She is from a family steeped in military tradition and service. Both maternal grandparents served in the U.S. Navy. Her paternal grandfather was a Pearl Harbor survivor and Jessica's father, William Johnson Sr. served in the United States Air Force in the 1970's. Bill Sr., now in the private sector, captains an MD 11 jet for a freight operator. Bill Jr., Jessica's brother was living the good life here in Minneapolis until he was called to serve.
Bill Jr. is married to a wonderful woman, Heather, and together they have two beautiful daughters, Bill had just completed his MBA degree and had a great job and future with accounting and business consulting firm RSM McGladery. Life was good for Bill and Heather.
Bill was in the Army Reserves in Minnesota and he knew there was a possibility his unit could be called into action. Our families celebrated July 4th 2004 together (we all "suspected my son and Jessica would marry soon...and they did the next year). At the BBQ, I asked Bill what he would do if he were called? Without hesitation, he replied "well, go of course. It's my duty." I remember being struck by such dedication as frankly, Bill was then already 31 years old with a family and a mortgage. A man of incredible character; a Johnson family trait as I have come to know this remarkable family.
This past Saturday friends and family gathered for a celebration at a local VFW hall to welcome Bill back from Iraq. He is only home for a brief three week visit and returns to Iraq before Thanksgiving to finish his tour of duty until April 2008. The evening was filled with joy, laughter and love. Bill's mom, Sue Johnson, is a beautiful, elegant and proud woman. She beamed the entire evening at the gala event. Knowing Sue, this was Mother's Day come early.
Captain William Johnson is part of a Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Iraq, so his business know-how and acumen is being put to great use. Bill has also set up a web site that I hope you all visit and leave him a note of encouragement. His site is www.proudinfidel.net. The PRT team in Iraq is a group of American military with a real -world business background. They are teaching and helping the local Iraqi's to build for-profit businesses.
We all went home last night knowing that our regular routines and life await us on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, etc. For Bill and his family, "routines" will commence when he is finally home in April. I said before that life was good for Bill and Heather until he was called. The Johnson family I think would argue otherwise: Serving his nation is a high calling and for Captain Bill Johnson, " life is good."
We thank these incredibly brave men and women and salute them today, on Veteran's Day.
Georges Yared is the CIO of Yared Investment Research and the author of "Baby Boomer Investing...Where do we go from here?"
Why do we have a weak dollar?
Holiday hiring slow for retailers
Closing Bell: What sell-off? (AIG, ABK, EPR, MBI, JAVA, ORCL, ERTS)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-15-2007 @ 11:28AM
CPT Bill Johnson, Jr said...
Georges,
What a great article! Thanks so much for your support and for attending the party at the VFW.
Thanks,
Bill