Captain Johnson Marks a Century with a Party of the Century!

(Reno, Nevada) Several generations of family, from as far away as Colorado, were joined by members of the Vietnam Veterans of America – Sierra Nevada Chapter 989 (VVA 989), The Comstock Lode Quilters and their Quilts of Valor, and Honor Flight Nevada who all helped celebrate the 100^th Birthday of Captain James (Jim) Johnson at the Five Star Premier Residences of Reno. 

A crowd of about 80 friends and family were on hand to wish Captain Johnson “Happy Birthday!” Earlier in July, Captain Johnson’s son-in-law, Glenn Robinson of Minden contacted NDVS asking for help in finding local veterans’ organizations that might be able to help with a celebration for his father-in-law. NDVS Northern Nevada Outreach Director Eduardo Martinez was quick to respond, but unfortunately, the team had a conflict. The team was booked for an “outreach and road show event” in Fallon, so Mr. Martinez connected Mr. Robinson to the VVA 989 where members made it known they would be honored to take the lead, providing ten members of VVA and the “Associates” of Vietnam Veterans (AVVA) for the occasion.

Mr. Robinson and VVA 989 Chapter President J. R. Stafford, served as co-emcees for the event and provided commentary on Captain Johnson’s life, military career with the 979^th Engineer Company, and presented congratulatory messages from Jim’s Alma Mater (the University of Nebraska), from NDVS Director Fred Wager, and Nevada Governor, Steve Sisolak. 

Chapter member and Vice Chair of the Board of Directors, Bill Grey, 1^st Cavalry, Vietnam, was honored to pin NDVS’s Nevada’s Hero pin on Captain Johnson during the ceremony.  Ms. Marsha Strand and the Quilts of Valor team presented Captain Johnson with his Quilt of Valor, commemorating his time with the Army of the United States in WWII, both in Europe and the Pacific Theater.  Mr. John Yuspa, and Jim & Dawn Forbus of Honor Flight Nevada presented Jim with coins, a “Red” WWII Cap, and an Honor Flight t-shirt.  These gifts were presented with an “Open Invitation” to travel with other veterans to Washington, D.C. when he was ready to go.  Captain Johnson was considering the trip at this printing.

Members of VVA 989 & AVVA then served birthday cake and ice cream to friends, family, and guests.  As the party wound down, and 989ers departed, family members stayed behind “catching up” and reveling in what an occasion it had been.  …Not many of us have a member of the family reach 100 hundred years of age, and this family and Captain James Johnson, now have another, “story to tell!”