Political Quotes

“I wish to remember the life and sacrifice of a remarkable young man, Army SPC Dylan J. Johnson. Dylan died 3 years ago today, June 26, 2011, of injuries suffered from an improvised explosive device in Diyala Province, Iraq, in support of Operation New Dawn. Dylan was born November 07, 1990, in Tulsa, OK. His father Jeff Johnson said Dylan ``had aspired to military service for years and dressed as a soldier for Halloween six years running.'' After Dylan graduated from Jenks High School, he joined the military in August 2009, largely inspired by the men on both sides of his family who served with the military during World War II and Korea. After completing basic training at Fort Knox, KY, Dylan was assigned to the 4th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 2d Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division in Fort Hood, TX. Specialist Johnson departed on Memorial Day 2011 for his first overseas deployment and arrived in Iraq June 2. On June 26, 2011, Dylan tragically died of injuries he sustained when insurgents attacked his armored vehicle with an improvised explosive device. One other soldier in the vehicle was killed alongside of Dylan. ``Dylan possessed a kind spirit and was a bit reserved in my world literature class,'' said teacher, Ron Acebo. ``We all ache for the loss of this young life and grieve with his family. As teachers, we all hold hopes and dreams for our students.…”