Words by Leslie Monet
This tragic story of slain 25-year-old Sargent La David Johnson and three others of the US military continues to develop from a distracting twitter dispute between emboldened Rep. Frederica Wilson, President Trump and White House Chief of Staff John Kelly who made a statement to support defamation of Wilson’s character after she called the president out for his lack of sensitivity towards a distraught widow. Backlash from the President, having nicknamed the Florida Representative “Wacky Wilson,” has alternatively been met by increasing scrutiny of Johnson’s family and members of Congress, including Senator John McCain, who collectively have voiced frustrations about their lack of knowledge on what took place during the mission in Niger.
Some of the key points Myeshia Johnson made as she spoke in her first interview since the tragedy, included how much he loved his family and the pride he took as a soldier. She mentioned her husband was promoted to an E5 within a short 3 years comparable to the 5 year track it normally takes a new soldier. When asked about the specifics of his death, she responded with great disappointment of her lack of answers and stated “Why did it take them 48 hours to find him? Every time I asked to see my husband they wouldn’t let me. I need to see him and they won’t let me. It could be an empty box for all I know. I know him from head to toe. I haven’t seen a finger yet.”
According to Johnson’s grieving widow, his status went from missing to killed in action. She also confirmed President’s thoughtless tone and statement that “he knew what he signed up for” as the phone was on speaker for the family to hear during the car ride with Rep. Wilson. Closing out the interview, Mrs. Johnson was asked if she would like to say anything to President Trump in regards to the phone call and she meekly declined.
Over the weekend, the family of the Sgt. Johnson laid him to rest in a heartfelt ceremony broadcasted live from Hollywood, Florida. A distraught wife, dressed in all white, gave her final farewell in a long silent kiss to the casket. Johnson, characterized as a fun-loving father who, according to his fellow Sergeants, was enlivened to meet his unborn daughter. He leaves behind a 2-year-old-boy, 6-year-old-girl and pregnant wife Myeshia Johnson. His love for riding motorcycles had also coined him the nickname “Wheelie King 305” to which his Miami Gardens community will host a memorial parade this upcoming weekend to celebrate Johnson’s legacy.
