Soldier/Family

[conlor]

During two years in Iraq, Army Spc. John Austin Johnson from Fort Bliss, TX survived five improvised explosive device blasts and several grenade attacks, but nothing prepared him for the hit that happened to him this past week.

Spc. Johnson received a traumatic brain injury from the last IED blast, and was getting treatment at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio. There, he waited for his family, originally from Benton, to visit him, but the children never arrived.

“I went up to his room and told him there was a problem,” said Sgt. Schmidt, and Army medic who has grown close to the family over the last week. “I told him there was an accident and two of his children were deceased.

He said, ‘Two of my children are dead?’ And we started crying.”

Driving across the plains from El Paso, Spc. Johnson’s wife, Lisa encountered a ferocious wind gust in her Chevrolet Trailblazer, Sgt. Schmidt said. “She steered and overcorrected, and the car rolled over four times.”

The youngest children, 2-year-old Logan and 5-year-old Ashley, died at the scene. Nine-year-old Tyler suffered massive head injuries and was flown to Children’s Medical Center Dallas, where he remained on life support Saturday.

Mrs. Johnson suffered bruises but was released from a hospital to join her husband in Dallas.

As word of the family’s loss spread, support from the military, businesses and strangers poured in. One anonymous donor provided five burial plots in the veteran’s section of Pinecrest Memorial Park in Alexander, Ark., where Spc. Johnson’s grandfather is buried. Another purchased markers for Logan and Ashley.

American Airlines provided seven roundtrip tickets to the funeral, set for Tuesday, Oct. 22 in Alexander, and groups such as Soldier’s Angels, Warrior & Family Support Center and Operation Provide Comfort took care of hotel accommodations, food and travel expenses between West Texas and Dallas.

The Johnson’s have been amazed by the flood of support.

Despite massive head injuries and failing kidneys, the 9-year-old was still clinging to life. Doctor’s hadn’t expected him to survive the night, Thursday, and some wondered whether he would make it through Friday, but he did.

“He’s a fighter. Even the doctors are amazed he’s still alive,” Sgt. Schmidt said. “We’re praying.”

If you would like to make a donation to the Johnson family, you can make them to the John A. and Monalisa Johnson Fund at any Bank of America.


http://www.todaysthv.com/news/news.aspx?storyid=54981

[Woodmonkey]

That poor family!

[Snowden]

Horror upon horror. God help them to endure it.

[scotto]

So sad,,, I pray for them...