Posted on 04/06/2006 8:03:28 AM PDT by SmithL
ELK GROVE, SACRAMENTO COUNTY Like so many young soldiers, Army Spc. Ty John Johnson joined the military for the benefits -- money for college, a steady paycheck for his family. But he stayed to make a difference. In fact, Johnson, 28, felt so strongly about the work he was doing in Iraq that a few weeks ago he re-enlisted for six years -- right around the time he left for his second tour in the war zone, said his twin brother, Blake Johnson.
Ty Johnson died Tuesday when an improvised bomb exploded next to his humvee in Kirkuk, a major city in northern Iraq, according to the Department of Defense, which did not release any further details. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.
Johnson lived in Elk Grove (Sacramento County) when he enlisted for the first time in 2003, but he was born in Salt Lake City, just two minutes before his fraternal twin.
"Typical childhood -- playing down by the river and swinging on rope ladders and playing baseball and all that fun stuff kids do," Blake Johnson recalled.
Even as a young boy, he said, Ty Johnson had a protective streak, watching over his twin and once driving away a bully who was picking on Blake over a game of handball with the firm warning, "Don't pick on my little brother."
"He was two minutes older than I was, and he was always the protecting older brother," Blake Johnson said as he laughed. "The two minutes was like two years."
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
Hero Ping
Elk Grove Hometown Hero Ping
ELK GROVE, SACRAMENTO COUNTY Like so many young soldiers, Army Spc. Ty John Johnson joined the military for the benefits -- money for college, a steady paycheck for his family. But he stayed to make a difference. 
I agree. Ty you make us so proud, we owe you our heartfelt love and admire your grace.
God Bless him and his family, and God Bless everyone of our men and woman in uniform.
Thank God for this hero and his loved ones!
God bless this selfless hero and his grieving family. Where do we get such amazing people?
They are few and far between! We have been overrun by weenie liberal mentality.
There - fixed it. Thanks God for heroes like these.
Perfectly said.
May God rest the soul of this Hero, and may God's grace and the thanks and prayers of all of us provide comfort to his family.
God bless all who serve, and take on the risk of this highest sacrifice -- the greatest moral level a human being can attain.
RIP. Not in vain. God Bless our Troops.
Wow. Thanks for letting me know. Will make sure he gets mention in the Senate.
So liveth the Warrior King. .... Thanks be to God.
He DID make a difference--to the people of Iraq, to the soldiers he led, to his family, and to the people of the United States made safer by his sacrifice.
BTTT
bump for a hero!
Rest in Peace
Army Spc. Ty John Johnson
My prayers go up for all who now mourn the passing of John Johnson.
Blessings,
trussell
If you want on/off my prayer ping list, please let me know. All requests happily honored.
Prayers up for a hero and his sacrifice for all of us. Prayers for comfort up for his family.
My prayers are with the family of this brave man today.
Ty John Johnson, thank you for your service to our country, at ease soldier, rest in peace.
Our prayers for this young hero and his family. Our eternal thanks for him and all like him who are striving to make this earth a better place for mankind.
God Bless you John Johnson... Home safe forever.
"TT", Beth & Nana
Carolyn
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.