Sgt. David W. Johnson was a very close friend of mine. Shortly after we met, he became a heroin addict. While just starting another attempt to get clean, living in a rehab halfway house in downtown Portland with a friend and fellow addict on his way to recovery, 9/11 occurred. It devastated him. He had been in the military before, fresh out of high school, but had quit. He didn't like to be controlled. After 9/11, he successfully kicked heroin, gained a substantial amount of weight and re-enlisted in the Oregon National Guard. He was originally deployed as a cook, but when they asked for some new gunners, he volunteered. In late September of '04, while delivering supplies to a camp outside of Baghdad, the Humvee he was traveling in, the last in the convoy, was blasted by and IED. Nearly everyone made it out with scrapes and bruises, except our beloved David. A substantial piece of shrapnel flew up and lodged up under the side of his helmet, killing him almost instantly. He went, fought, and died for us as a nation. I believe his story should be told across the nation he gave his life for. I'm glad to have found a place to share his story. Thank you.
With Love and Remembrance,
Moe
4-EVER MISSING AND LOVING ALBINO SNOW MONKEY XOX
(I own no rights to the picture, if any exist)

Melanie
Portland, OR