My mom called and told me the news. I won't lie to you I didn't cry for awhile. That’s the Army talking folks, I swear I wasn’t born without a heart. I didn't really cry until I talked to my brother later that day. There’s just something about hearing your baby brother cry that really kills you on the inside. We talked for a while and his thoughts mirrored what mine had been all day long. "I just hope he didn’t suffer".
He was on his way to do what he loved to do. He was going to take pictures. He was one of my little brother’s best friends and one of those kids that I watched grow up over so many years. And he, like the rest of my brother’s friends, grew up to be a great man. And he really was a great man. Like my brother said "I can’t remember one memory of him that didn’t make me smile or laugh” If that’s not the ingredient of a great man I don’t know what is.
Matt, I don’t think he suffered, and I don’t think he was scared either. I know someone was on that plane with him.
They say the best die young, and yes, this week in Missouri he did.
Rest in peace, Johnson.
and God bless...
