Always Faithful by Congressman and former POW Sam Johnson
Sam Johnson, former POW: “The pain inflicted by your country’s indifference is tenfold that inflicted by your ruthless captors”
http://www.samjohnson.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=58470
Washington, Feb 16 – 2007
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To gain some additional understanding of where Representative Johnson is coming from go to:
20040527 POW Congressman Johnson Hanoi Used Kerry Speech
Or
http://www.kevindayhoff.com/2004/05/20040527-pow-congressman-johnson-hanoi.html
or
POW Congressman: Hanoi Used Kerry Speech, Gore Comments 'Traitorous'
Thursday, May 27, 2004 11:34 a.m. EDT
http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2004/5/27/113857.shtml
For a brief biography of Representative Johnson – go to the end of the speech…
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Congressman Johnson (R-TX) Floor Speech (02.16.07)
YouTube video Provided By: Republican Whip Roy Blunt
Congressman Sam Johnson served in the U. Congressman Sam Johnson served in the U.S. Air Force for 29-years as a highly decorated pilot. He flew combat missions in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars and was a prisoner of war in Hanoi for nearly seven years. Then, in 1991, he embarked on a new mission of service - representing the people of Texas' third district in the United States Congress.
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20070216 Always Faithful by Congressman and former POW Sam Johnson
Sam Johnson, former POW: “The pain inflicted by your country’s indifference is tenfold that inflicted by your ruthless captors”
http://www.samjohnson.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=58470
Washington, Feb 16 – 2007
Today U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (3rd Dist.-Texas) delivered the following closing statement on the floor of the House during the 36-hour debate on Iraq.
A 29-year Air Force veteran, Johnson served in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Johnson spent nearly seven years as a Prisoner of War, more than half of that time in solitary confinement.
Coincidentally, this week in 1973 as one of the longest held captives, Johnson finally left Hanoi on February 12, 1973 and returned home to Texas on February 17, 1973.
Earlier this week on Monday, Johnson spent the anniversary of his release pleading with a House panel to accept his amendment to support and fully fund the troops for the 36 hours of debate on the troop escalation in Iraq.
Johnson’s floor statement follows:
“You know, I flew 62 combat missions in the Korean War and 25 missions in the Vietnam War before being shot down.
“I had the privilege of serving in the United States Air Force for 29 years, attending the prestigious National War College, and commanding two air bases, among other things.
“I mention these stories because I view the debate on the floor not just as a U.S. Congressman elected to serve the good people of the Third District in Texas, but also through the lens of a life-long fighter pilot, student of war, a combat warrior, a leader of men, and a Prisoner of War.
“Ironically, this week marks the anniversary that I started a new life – and my freedom from prison in Hanoi.
“I spent nearly seven years as a Prisoner of War in Vietnam, more than half of that time in solitary confinement. I flew out of Hanoi on February 12, 1973 with other long-held Prisoners of War – weighing just 140 pounds. And tomorrow – 34 years ago, I had my homecoming to Texas – a truly unspeakable blessing of freedom.
“While in solitary confinement, my captors kept me in leg stocks, like the pilgrims… for 72 days….
“As you can imagine, they had to carry me out of the stocks because I couldn’t walk. The following day, they put me in leg irons… for 2 ½ years. That’s when you have a tight metal cuff around each ankle – with a foot-long bar connecting the legs.
“I still have little feeling in my right arm and my right hand… and my body has never been the same since my nearly 2,500 days of captivity.
“But I will never let my physical wounds hold me back.
“Instead, I try to see the silver lining. I say that because in some way … I’m living a dream…a hope I had for the future.
“From April 16, 1966 to February 12, 1973 – I prayed that I would return home to the loving embrace of my wife, Shirley, and my three kids, Bob, Gini, and Beverly…
“And my fellow POWs and I clung to the hope of when – not if – we returned home.
“We would spend hours tapping on the adjoining cement walls about what we would do when we got home to America.
“We pledged to quit griping about the way the government was running the war in Vietnam and do something about it… We decided that we would run for office and try to make America a better place for all.
“So – little did I know back in my rat-infested 3 x 8 dark and filthy cell that 34 years after my departure from Hell on Earth… I would spend the anniversary of my release pleading for a House panel to back my measure to support and fully fund the troops in harm’s way….and that just days later I would be on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives surrounded by distinguished veterans urging Congress to support our troops to the hilt.
“We POWs were still in Vietnam when Washington cut the funding for Vietnam. I know what it does to morale and mission success. Words can not fully describe the horrendous damage of the anti-American efforts against the war back home to the guys on the ground.
“Our captors would blare nasty recordings over the loud speaker of Americans protesting back home…tales of Americans spitting on Vietnam veterans when they came home... and worse.
“We must never, ever let that happen again.
“The pain inflicted by your country’s indifference is tenfold that inflicted by your ruthless captors.
“Our troops – and their families – want, need and deserve the full support of the country – and the Congress. Moms and dads watching the news need to know that the Congress will not leave their sons and daughters in harm’s way without support.
“Since the President announced his new plan for Iraq last month, there has been steady progress. He changed the rules of engagement and removed political protections.
“There are reports we wounded the number two of Al Qaeda and killed his deputy. Yes, Al Qaeda operates in Iraq. It’s alleged that top radical jihadist Al-Sadr has fled Iraq – maybe to Iran. And Iraq’s closed its borders with Iran and Syria. The President changed course and offered a new plan …we are making progress. We must seize the opportunity to move forward, not stifle future success.
“Debating non-binding resolutions aimed at earning political points only destroys morale, stymies success, and emboldens the enemy.
“The grim reality is that this House measure is the first step to cutting funding of the troops…Just ask John Murtha about his ‘slow-bleed’ plan that hamstrings our troops in harm’s way.
“Now it’s time to stand up for my friends who did not make it home – and those who fought and died in Iraq - so I can keep my promise that when we got home we would quit griping about the war and do something positive about it…and we must not allow this Congress to leave these troops like the Congress left us.
“Today, let my body serve as a brutal reminder that we must not repeat the mistakes of the past… instead learn from them.
“We must not cut funding for our troops. We must stick by them. We must support them all the way…To our troops we must remain…always faithful.
“God bless you and I salute you all. Thank you.”
Biography of Representative Johnson:
Sam Johnson returned home to Texas after serving in the U.S. Air Force for 29-years as a highly decorated pilot. He flew combat missions in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars and was a prisoner of war in Hanoi for nearly seven years. After his military career, he established a home-building business and served in the Texas legislature. Then, in 1991, he embarked on a new mission of service- representing the people of Texas' third district in the United States Congress.
Dubbed a "Top Texan" by USA Today, Johnson is the highest-ranking Texan on both the prestigious Ways & Means Committee and the Committee on Education and the Workforce. On these committees, he is able to influence the key issues of economic security, health care and improving our children's education. As one of a few Members of Congress who has fought in combat, Johnson serves as an informal advisor on military readiness issues.
He has consistently advocated smarter government, lower taxes, cutting wasteful spending, and pushing for a simpler, fairer tax system.
On the Education Committee, Johnson continues to work to return control of education to parents, teachers, and local school boards-where it belongs. As the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Employer-Employee Relations, Johnson is one of three Members of 535 who has authority over retirement, health and labor issues.
After growing up in Dallas and graduating from Southern Methodist University, Johnson began his 29-year career in the U.S. Air Force, where he served as director of the Air Force Fighter Weapons School (Top Gun) and flew with the Air Force Thunderbirds precision flying demonstration team. In the Korean War, he flew F-86s in 62 combat missions.
In the Vietnam War, Johnson flew F-4s. While flying his 25th combat mission in 1966, he was shot down over North Vietnam. He spent nearly seven years as a prisoner of war, half of that time in solitary confinement. Fellow POW Capt. James Mulligan, USN (Ret.) recalled the day Johnson was allowed to return to a joint cell. He walked into the room with the two other detained American officers, "stood at attention with tears in his eyes, and said simply, 'Lieutenant Colonel Sam Johnson reporting for duty, sir'...after he had not talked to or directly been with an American for three full years." Johnson recounts the details of his POW experience in his autobiography, Captive Warriors.
A decorated war hero, Johnson was awarded two Silver Stars, two Legions of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, one Bronze Star with Valor, two Purple Hearts, four Air Medals, and three Outstanding Unit Awards.
Sam Johnson is married to the former Shirley L. Melton, of Dallas. They are proud parents of three children and ten grandchildren.
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Iraq War, Military, Military Veterans Day, Vietnam
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund announced yesterday that their proposed Visitor Center received the final go-ahead from the National Capitol Planning Commission, which oversees the approval and design of monuments and memorials in D.C. The privately funded, $100 million complex will supplement Maya Lin’s 1982 Memorial Wall, with exhibits and programs to tell the story of the Vietnam War and commemorate the soldiers who fought it. The Visitor Center will be built just west of the Wall in the area between it and the Lincoln Memorial; however, NCPC requires that it be completely buried and hidden from view, in order to preserve the openness and visual order of the Mall. The Polshek Partnership, architect of the Clinton Library and the Newseum/Freedom Forum, was selected in 2004 to design the Center.
Carroll Co.
May 21st, 2006
Today I’ve been working on my next Westminster Eagle column and I stopped by the Carroll County Maryland Vietnam Memorial at Willis and Court Streets in
The inscription on the black memorial lists has the following inscription and names:
“This memorial is dedicated to mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, wives, husbands, sons, daughters, lovers, friends and most of all dreams of the men and women “from Carroll County” who risked it all in Vietnam.”
Steve Mason, Poet Laureate V.V.A
1966
Ronald Kenny, February 1966
Christopher Miller, Jr., October 1966
Carl Egolf, December 1966
1967
James Byers, January 1967
1968
Russell Amoss, January 1968
Russell Milberry, January 1968
Michael Kidd, May 1968
John Feezer, July 1968
Muriel Groomes, November 1968
1969
Joseph Oreto, April 1969
Frederick Magsamen, May 1969
Franklin Underwood, Jr., June 1969
1970
James Zumbrun, January 1970
Joseph Blickenstaff, Jr., December 1970
David Steger, December 1970
1971
Herbert Mulkey, Jr., March 1971
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Peter Drabic POW September 1968 – March 1973.
05/21/2006 - ked
POW Congressman: Hanoi Used Kerry Speech, Gore Comments 'Traitorous'
Thursday, May 27, 2004 11:34 a.m. EDT
http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2004/5/27/113857.shtml
POW Congressman:
North Vietnamese jailers at the
Johnson, who spent six years at the infamous prison camp, also called former Vice President Al Gore's remarks yesterday to the radical left-wing group Moveon.org "traitorous."
Asked if he'd heard about Kerry's speech while he was at the
"[Hanoi Hilton jailers] played stuff on the loudspeaker darn near 24 hours a day - propaganda, of course - telling us about the 'uprisings' in the United States," he said.
A fighter pilot in both
A fellow POW Navy captain recalls that Johnson's first words upon being released from solitary were "Lieutenant Colonel Sam Johnson reporting for duty, sir."
Johnson told Levin that his North Vietnamese jailers found the anti-war activities of actress Jane Fonda, who teamed up with Kerry's
"They played her speech to the guys on the front line, where she talked through a loudspeaker and told them to lay down their arms and quit fighting," he recalled. "And John Kerry was part of that anti-war movement."
"He was a Jane Fonda type, if you will," added Johnson, who referred to Kerry on the House floor last month as "
"[Kerry] let the veterans down. When you're in a war you don't go out there badmouthing your fellow soldiers," he noted, referring to Kerry's 1971 speech. "You know, that's a disservice to the veterans."
"Anybody who comes back and works against the best interests of the
Johnson also weighed in on former Vice President Al Gore's speech to Moveon.org yesterday, where Gore called on top Bush defense and national security officials to resign.
After Levin played a clip from the Gore speech, the
"You know what, we're in a war. I think people ought to stop and think about that," Johnson added. "I think that our [soldiers] are doing such a grand job [in
"Al Gore is no friend of
Rep. Johnson's war decorations include two Silver Stars, two Legions of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, one Bronze Star with Valor, two Purple Hearts, four Air Medals and three Outstanding Unit Awards.
He also served as director of the Air Force "Top Gun"
Editor's note:
Breaking: The Real Story About John Kerry`s Vietnam Record – Click Here!
