Emily Johnson was a familiar face at Great Plains Regional Medical Center for thirty years. She wore a lot of hats during that long tenure, lastly among the house supervisors. She was a front-row witness to more human tragedy and triumph than most get in their careers.
After all, that is healthcare in a small town.
Still, her favorite “job” was raising her children.
Johnson and her husband, Jeff, have been known for their volunteer service to the Elk City Rodeo of Champions for just as long. Community involvement and patriotism were also enormous values for the Johnson crew.
“Service is who we are,” she said.
So, it has been no surprise that they are now following in their daughter’s footsteps in military service. It has been a family tradition, too.
“Well, my father was in the Marines, so it hasn’t been strange to me that our daughter and two of her children have also joined the military,” Johnson explained. “Now, what I didn’t see coming was that our daughter Jill would be the one who enlisted. She was in the National Guard in the 90s. When she was at boot camp, I decided to send her a rubber Chicken. It has now become a thing in the family.”
Johnson laughed as she detailed her ornery ploy. She’s always been a light-hearted jokester.
“Well, now two of Jill’s kids have joined the military. Her son is in the Navy, and one of her daughters is in the Army. When her son first enlisted, she told me how hard it was to miss him. I told her that I knew, but she couldn’t imagine how hard it was when it was your daughter. Well, now Lauren is there, so she understands. The rubber chicken thing started way back with Jill. Now I have sent it to Jill’s son in the Navy. He said that his drill instructors basically made that his little buddy. So Lauren, who is in Army basics, has asked me not to send hers.”
Johnson almost gushes when she talks about her family. She is very proud of their service.
“We normally go down to Jill’s house for the Fourth of July. It is definitely a good day to be with family. Jeff and I are very proud of their service,” Johnson added.
As the two moms meet up this year, they will talk about the new phases of motherhood they find themselves in. The common bond of having military kids is now a source of reassurance.
“I remember crying my eyes out when I missed one of Jill’s calls when she was at basics,” Johnson said. “Well, now Jill has experienced that with two kids. It’s hard. You know they are doing the right thing to strengthen themselves and advance the country, but you are still Mama. And I can’t tell you how proud I am to have raised these kinds of kids.”
