Congressman Bill Johnson reflects on importance of Veterans Day
Veterans Day is an important day for all veterans and Congressman Bill Johnson is no exception
21 News spoke to Congressman Johnson as he reflected on his time in the Air Force.
Johnson told 21 News he served in the Air Force for almost 27 years starting in January of 1973. Originally, he joined the military because he couldn't find a job. However, this led to 27 years of service.
"[I] never dreamed in my wildest imagination that I would spend nearly 27 years serving my country, but I wouldn't take a million bucks for a single day of it," Johnson said.
Johnson told 21 News two people helped shape his career. One of those people was a supervisor who ordered him to get a college education.
"[I] was accepted for an ROTC scholarship and went to Troy University in Alabama. [I] was the cadet corp commander for one of the terms I was there, was commissioned in June of 1976 as a second lieutenant and boy, the rest is history. My career just skyrocketed after that, so he played a very influential role," Johnson said.
The other person he credits is Brigadier, General Rick Zehrer.
"I was his executive officer and I learned so much about leadership, people and how to live out those core values in the Air Force," Johnson said.
On this Veterans Day, Johnson says its important we take time to honor the service of veterans across the country.
"America stands guardian at the gate of freedom for the rest of the world, and were it not for our brave men and women in uniform, we would not have the country or the world we have today," Johnson said.
Johnson was stationed across the country, but was never deployed overseas. He was told to get ready to go to Vietnam, but 17 days into basic training, the Paris Peace Accord was signed, so he never went.
