Honoring Army Spc. Jason M. Johnston

Technically, this should be in IWL but under the circumstances, I'm putting it here.

I am from Albion NY and while I do not personally know Jason, I do know his parents and everyone I saw (except 1 person) in the below linked videos, including Senator Maziarz.

Jason made the ultimate sacrifice and while I am so proud of him, my heart is breaking at the same time. I couldn't be there to welcome him home but felt I needed to do something to honor him, hence this thread. I will pay my respects personally when I go home for a visit in April.

Rest in peace Jason. I hope you know how many hearts you have touched and how proud all of Orleans County is to have been able to bring you home and lay you to rest with love, pride, honor and respect.

Jason is the first soldier from Albion to have been killed since the Vietnam war. Please join me in honoring a small town soldier who gave his all.


http://rochester.ynn.com/all-region...s/491538/local-soldier-killed-in-afghanistan/

http://rochester.ynn.com/all-regions-news-2134-content/492046/fallen-soldier-returns-home

http://rochester.ynn.com/all-regions-news-2134-content/492048/albion-remembers-its-fallen-soldier

http://rochester.ynn.com/all-region...222/a-final-goodbye-to-fallen-army-specialist

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQNgav8Y7YE

http://www.militarycity.com/valor/4437123.html

 

Although I don't know Jason, my heart is breaking for his family. I have several friends who are in the armed forces and can only imagine their sorrow, my deepest condolences to them. I would also like to give my sincerest gratitude to Jason and all those in the armed forces for their brave and selfless sacrifices.

 

RIP Jason and God Bless your family and friends and I am sure he will be watching over them. I can only imagine being over there and dealing with what they have to deal with. I knew a local main here when we were only 2 yrs into the war. And he jumped on top of a grenade and laid on it to try to hold the impact of others. And to do that in seconds...Oh my

 

RIP Jason, may i take this moment in my life time, to honour your bravery, and all of those brave men who have lost their lives in this untimeless battle for the freedom of mankind, and, unless we don't fight the bullies, and fight off the enemies who bully us into these situations, life would not be worth living, and you gave your life so honourably, in doing this, and may i take this opportunity to thank you from the bottom of my :heart for doing so !
:wave Goodbye, Godbless and thankyou Jason and may you rest in peace !

 

Our deepest condolences to his family. He sounds like one selfless soldier. May he Rest in Peace. I, too, feel for his dear family, such a sad loss for them, and I, too, give my deepest gratitude & :heart to him.

 

God bless Jason and may he rest in peace. While remembrance and honour is befitting of soldiers fallen in the line duty, no honour can be too great for those making the ultimate sacrifice for nation and freedom. ~ My deepest condolences are sent to Specialist Jason and his family and friends that knew him well.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTxT7feUlPg

Every time I hear a story about a soldier, I think of that video. I have the greatest respect for our soldiers, past and present. My heart goes out not only to Specialist Jason, but all those who have, are, and will serve in the future.. Thank you. Because it doesn't have to be November 11th, to pay respect to our brothers in arms.

 

I would just like to echo the honors and condolences given here.

I know quite a few families with sons and daughters in the military. One boy that went to school with my son also lost his life in the war.

It's a terrible thing and we owe our freedom and security to these brave young citizens.

 

Everytime is see this commercial I tear up. My wife and I served in the Air Force during 64-68, my son served during the Gulf War, and my brother served 25 years and spent 3 tours to Vietnam. If called upon we would do it again in a heartbeat because we love our Country and our Freedom. We thank all those who have done and are doing the same. God Bless America!!

 

Rest in Peace. Thanks to all that have served, are serving, and those that will in the future. My prayers go out to Jason's family, and all the others who have lost their loved ones.

 

Soldiers give their lives for us and all they ask in return is that they are remembered,not forgotten.

I think its the least we can do.

 

I wish you all could meet Abby in person, her heart is as big as all outdoors

 

Yes, very true that. You both have big hearts from what I've seen and heard from y'all, i.m.h.o. )

 

I am so touched by the responses to this thread. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

Any soldier who gives their life for us deserves so much more than this and sadly they are often criticized. It's not about believing if a war or police action is right or wrong, it's about them putting their life on the line for each and every one of us. They fight the fight while we all go on about our daily lives often taking for granted the freedoms and privileges we have as a result of people just like Jason. IMO, we can never do enough to fully show or express our thanks and gratitude for their bravery and sacrifices.


@ Paxton...I have had the honor (twice) of being one of the hundreds to shake the hand and applaud soldiers at the airport. There are no words to truly express the pride and emotion I and others felt as the soldiers walked through. I will never forget their faces, what they have done or what I felt in that moment.

 

Just finished reading this article in a local paper from home. I can only imagine what each student who stood out in that blustery weather felt and in turn, what Jason's family felt/experienced. The article also contains letters written by 5th graders from one class. The maturity and insight these 10 and 11 year old children show toward a fallen soldier and his family is truly amazing.

 

Read your link Abby, and I must say that I'm not only impressed he depth of understanding and empathy in the children, but in the unity and empathy of the entire community. That is indeed a precious thing ~ Sometimes the greatest of tragedies can bring forth the most cohesive of forces. This is what war is ultimately about - human beings, not politics.

 

Just saw this thread, and I'd like to add my thoughts and prayers are with Spc. Johnston and his family.

Godspeed, Jason, and thank you for your service to our country. If not for the sacrifice of citizens like you, from 1776 till now and beyond, this nation would not exist.

 

A heart felt sympathy to the family and friends of Jason.
As Spad said

Could not have said it any better Spad.