Special to The T&D

At about the same time Sgt. Charles H. Johnson Jr. boarded the plane that would bring his unit from Fallujah to Kuwait for the first leg of their trip back home, his baby son, Charles III, was being airlifted again to Children's Hospital in Fairfax, Va., where he has spent almost all of his 17 months of life.

Johnson left his son and family in September 2004 for his first tour of duty in Iraq, Operation Iraqi Freedom. Torn between his duty to serve his country and his need/emotional desire to be with his sick son stirred deep feelings, the likes of which he had not had to deal with in his entire life. Without a doubt, separation from family is one of war's most difficult situations to handle.

In the final analysis, he did what he had to do. And, his first correspondence to family back home after he began his assignment in Fallujah revealed how he felt about the decision he made: "I am proud to be here, serving my country so that my son and family, and indeed the entire world may have an opportunity to life in peace. I am a Marine — my place is sealed among The Few, The Proud."

Johnson, a 1988 graduate of Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School and a 1997 graduate of Claflin University, was deployed to Iraq with the First Marine Division, Civil Affairs Group, Washington (DC) Naval District. He was selected for duty with the special unit that, amid the chaos of combat, performs quietly but courageously a job no one else wants to do, ensuring fallen troops (Angels) are returned to their families.

Many Marines, according to a story by Lance Cpl. Samuel B. Valliere, a fellow Marine, believe that "anyone who fails in combat dies a hero. They believe that the Corps thrives because of its warrior culture; like the Spartans of Ancient Greece, its history is not just speckled but rooted in its almost unwavering ability to win battles."

The group laid sandbags on the roof of the old bunker where they work, arranging them to read "No One Left Behind" and "Honor, Respect, Reverence," all visual testaments of the Marine Corps' tradition of taking care of its own fallen Angels as well as those left to carry on. Johnson shared these beliefs and accepted these testaments when he decided to join the U.S. Marine Corps in 1991, serving stints of active and reserve duty since that time.

A major strategy Johnson has used to help him perform his military duties in an unfaltering manner is to keep in touch with family and friends back home. These connections — e-mails, letters and telephone calls — have proven invaluable.

"One of the very best things that the American people can do now is to keep in touch with the troops here and abroad to let them know that America cares," he says. "Ventures in 'harm's way' then become ventures for freedom and hope for peace."

Humbled by the outpouring of love and concern shown by his family and literally hundreds of other individuals and groups, Johnson regrets he is simply unable to adequately express his appreciation.

He and his son were enshrined in a special bond during this time as prayers were uttered by individuals and by churches where friends and family reside — in Orangeburg, across South Carolina and across the country — that added their names to prayer lists and carried their names on Sunday mornings.

Sgt. Johnson's family, particularly his wife, LeToya, and his parents, Charles H. and Vermelle J. Johnson, join him in thanks and thanksgiving, not just for him but for all sons and daughters who must be in harm's way as they carry out their military obligations. They serve proudly!

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