Show of Support President Says Hunt for Heroes Will Continue
By: Katiera Winfrey
Updated: January 10, 2013
At the Show of Support Headquarters, the wounded veterans killed haven't been forgotten
"The hardest thing I ever did was shake the hand of an 8-year-old son who lost his dad.
The two final soldiers killed will be laid to rest January 23. Johnson said he will be there.
"I feel like I have to be in on that part of this story so that I can close the chapter and move on," said Johnson.
The decisions to make it to all the memorial services and funerals came easy for Johnson. The decision to continue Show of Support itself after the tragedy was a challenge.
"A couple of days right after the event for a couple of days people started asking me was I gonna keep going was I gonna keep show of support and to be honest I was not interested in doing it anymore," Johnson said.
As the days went on, Johnson said support began pouring in via emails text messages and phone calls.
"They also said you gotta keep this going and that surprised me and took me by surprise over and over again for the next week or so I kept hearing you gotta keep this going, keep this going for our brothers."
Since the majority agreed that the program should continue, additional hunting trips will go forward. Since the tragedy two hunts have already taken place. A third will soon take place at a special ranch near San Antonio. For that trip four veterans will take part.
Johnson admits while the hunt won't erase the tragedy it allows a break from the pain and lets the veterans, some that come from all across the country, once again share a special camaraderie off the battlefield.
By the time the next Show of Support Banquet comes around, Johnson said he hopes to bring back the 20 surviving veterans and widows involved in the accident and hold a special ceremony honoring the fallen heroes.
