The Air Force honors Congressman Sam Johnson and Senator John McCain's fellow POW Colonel Bud Day

Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. David L. Goldfein presents Mrs. Doris Day with brigadier general rank insignia after her deceased husband, retired Col. George E. “Bud” Day, was posthumously promoted during the 2018 Heritage to Horizons summer concert in Arlington, Va., June 8, 2018. The stars were originally Goldfein’s when he was a brigadier general. Air Force photo by Wayne A. Clark

Col. Bud Day

BBoBorn in Sioux City, Iowa on February 24, 1925. In 1942, he dropped out of Central High School and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps (USMC).
  After the war, Day attended Morningside College on the G.I. Bill, earning a Bachelor of Science degree, followed by law school at the University of South Dakota, receiving a Juris Doctor. Day passed the bar exam in 1949 and was admitted to the bar in South Dakota.
  In later life, Day was also awarded a Master of Arts degree from Saint Louis University, a Doctor of Humane Letters from Morningside, and a Doctor of Laws from Troy State University. Day was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1977.

A Real John Wayne, Congressman Sam Johnson

   He epitomized rugged masculinity and became an enduring American icon. He is famous for his distinctive voice and walk. He is also known for his conservative political views.

 

 by J.B. Blocker

   In another time, John Wayne would have been the perfect actor to play Sam Johnson as the Fighter Pilot POW in "Captive Warriors." the Congressman’s autobiography. But Sam's heroics came during Vietnam and the Duke was finishing his career by then.

And the Winner is!

Allen High School Junior Wins 2013 Congressional Art Competition

Plano, TX – Last night, U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (TX-R) announced that “Stardust,” an oil painting by Allen High School junior, Siri Anderson, won the grand prize of the 32^nd Annual “An Artistic Discovery” Congressional Art Competition for the Third District of Texas.

1st Place, Siri Anderson, “Stardust”

To a full house at the McKinney Performing Arts Center, Johnson presented the top three award winners with a certificate and a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol.  He also presented six students with Honorable Mention certificates and announced the 2013 People’s Choice Award winner.

THE U.S. HOUSE HONORS SAM JOHNSON

                                                         

House of Representatives Honors Congressman Sam Johnson during Special Order Commemorating 40 Years of Freedom from Vietnam (2.25.2013)

Washington, DC – Tonight, the U.S. House of Representatives commemorates the 40 year anniversary of “Operation Homecoming,” which released the longest held Prisoners of War (POWs) as well as those needing urgent medical attention from Vietnam. The House marked the occasion by dedicating a special order to all POWs and Congressman Sam Johnson (TX-03), the only POW in the House of Representatives in the 113^th Congress.
 
Johnson’s colleagues honoring his release and service included:
House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (VA-07), 
Congressmen Michael Burgess (TX-26), 
John Carter (TX-31), 
Michael Conaway (TX-11), 
Blake Farenthold (TX-27), 
Bill Flores (TX-17), 
Louie Gohmert (TX-01), 
Kay Granger (TX-12), 
Ralph Hall (TX-04), 
Jeb Hensarling (TX-05), 
Randy Neugebauer (TX-19), 
Pete Olson (TX-22), 
Ted Poe (TX- 02), 
Lamar Smith (TX-21), Pete Sessions (TX-32), 
Steve Stockman (TX-36), 
Roger Williams (TX-25).
 
“It is an honor and privilege to continue serving our country, and particularly the great state of Texas. I truly appreciate the kind words expressed by each of my colleagues tonight. I still think about my days in Vietnam, and pray for those who currently find themselves in harm’s way to protect our freedoms,” said Johnson.     

On February 12, 1973, POWs were released to U.S. officials near Hanoi, North Vietnam under the terms of the cease-fire agreement. 

 
This taste of freedom was a long time coming for Johnson who was captured during his second tour in Vietnam and spent nearly seven years as a POW.  Shot down at dusk over North Vietnam during his 25^th combat mission on April 16, 1966, Johnson suffered a broken right arm, dislocated left shoulder and a broken back.  It was these injuries that the enemy captors would use in their fruitless efforts to glean information from Johnson.
 
Forced into solitary confinement for 42 months, labeled as a “die-hard” resister and subjected to tremendous suffering, Johnson consistently demonstrated a relentless devotion to duty, honor and country.  “The one thing I want to remind everyone is that freedom isn’t free,” concluded Johnson.

Johnson urges States and localities to honor the courage and sacrifice of men and women in uniform.  Johnson takes this opportunity to encourage all veterans of all wars to share their stories. In particular, Johnson advocates that veterans or children of veterans participate in the nationwide Library of Congress program, The Veterans History Project.  To learn more about this important initiative, go to www.loc.gov/folklife/vets/

 
J.B. Blocker is a media consultant based in Collin County in North Texas. Advertise with J.B. by calling 469-334-9962. Email: jbnorthtexas@gmail.com or jbblocker@hotmail.com.