Photo By Master Sgt. Daniel Griego | Members of the Johnson family prepare to support the 17th Annual Round Rock Rotary...... read more read more
ROUND ROCK, Texas - “We feel like it is important to spend time in the service of others,” said Army Master Sgt. Dan Johnson, who was joined by his wife and daughter to volunteer in support of the 17th Annual Round Rock Rotary Track meet, part of the Special Olympics Texas suite of events.
The meet, held April 11, 2015, at Round Rock High School’s Dragon Stadium, featured approximately 300 athletes from Central Texas competing as 17 teams in field, running, and relay events. For Johnson, who serves as the operations NCO for the Texas National Guard’s Joint Task Force 136 (Maneuver Enhancement Brigade), volunteering is a family affair.
“I wanted our family to get involved again in the community,” said Johnson. “We moved to the Round Rock area about four years ago, but haven't been as involved as we used to be in volunteer activities. My youngest daughter, Mary, turns 15 today, so I figured it was time for her to learn about the importance of service to others. I am proud of her for giving up some of her time on her birthday, and for inviting her friend Leah to participate with us.”
During the day, the Johnsons escorted competitors, presented awards, and provided encouragement to all participants for this invitational Special Olympics event, which will feed into the May 1-2 Area 13 Track Meet in Leander, Texas.
“It’s really great to have somebody like Sgt. Johnson,” said Lt. Col. Patrick Nolan, the chief of staff for JTF-136 (MEB), “who is willing and able to get his family out here to volunteer for the Special Olympics. It’s a big deal for us in Round Rock to support the community and he’s a pillar to that.”
The Johnsons have a long history of service, going back to their time in San Antonio when wife Molly Johnson would volunteer for events such the National Guard Fiesta, dining outs, family day, and fundraising efforts.
“Molly and our kids have volunteered many times for many causes,” said Johnson. “Whether for school, supporting the military and their families, or other charities.”
“We are the community,” said Molly Johnson. “As a National Guard family, we get to stay in our hometown communities for a long time. That really ties us to our friends and neighbors. The causes they support become our causes too.”
While community service is a regular priority for the Johnson family, Special Olympics is a particularly important event for them to support.
“The Special Olympians inspire us all to do better,” said Molly. “They don't look at their own adversity as a bad thing. Adversity is just a part of the same type of hill we all climb to reach our goals.”
| Date Taken: | 04.11.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 04.13.2015 10:43 |
| Story ID: | 159826 |
| Location: | ROUND ROCK, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 126 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, A service-oriented family, by MSG Daniel Griego, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT