Special Forces Association
Chapter 89
Allen Johnson Memorial
John Cleckner, Chapter President
3560 Dwayne Court
Redding, CA 96001-3454
530-243-2100
sfachapter89@gmail.com
After being reassigned in 1998 for two years with the 704th Military Police Battalion at Fort Lewis as a squad leader, he was accepted into Special Forces training at Fort Bragg.
Johnson arrived at the 1st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne) in April 2000 to begin the more than two years of intense training it would take for him to become a Special Forces medical sergeant.
He was assigned to the 7th SFG in July 2002.
Johnson's military education includes the Basic Airborne Course, the Primary Leadership Development Course, the Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, the Special Forces Qualification Course and the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course.
Sgt. 1st Class Allen C. Johnson, 31, of Los Molinos, California was remembered with full military honors at a service at Wednesday at New Life Assembly in Corning. by Members of The 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) from Fort Bragg, NC
He was a 1991 graduate of Los Molinos High School.
Army Chaplain Tim Rietkerk conducted the funeral service which included remarks from members of Johnson's team and his daughter.
After the opening prayer and a reading from Isaiah 25:6-9 which tells of a feast prepared for those who wait faithfully upon the Lord, Johnson's team member Sgt. First Class Jim Miller assured him and his family that they will continue to fight for what he died for.
CW2 Dan Carlson told those in attendance to take solace as they look back at the champion's life, referring to Johnson.
"It's important to learn what we can do with the time we have left," said Carlson. "For him it was spent serving others."
In what was an especially touching and poignant, Johnson's 9-year-old daughter Stacy stood bravely and read a poem about her father.
When she was through, she said that she knew that her dad loved her and her family and his country enough to die for it and that's what he did.
Speaking on behalf of Johnson's wife Eunice, SSG Melinda Barfknecht read remarks prepared by the widow.
Johnson's wife is assigned to the 519th Military Intelligence Battalion and was deployed to Iraq. She was notified last week of her husband's death. She left Iraq for Germany and then Fort Bragg, before arriving in Los Molinos.
She talked about the flight back being alone one last time with her husband and about a promise she had made to "protect and raise your children with dignity and pride."
A 21-gun salute was fired outdoors as it began to rain, and "Taps" was sounded inside the church's sanctuary. The flag which adorned Johnson's casket was presented to his young widow and a similar flag to his mother. The California Highway Patrol presented his wife with a California state flag. Later after the services, Dave Meurer, field representative for Congressman Wally Herger presented the family with a flag and the congressman's condolences.
Attending the service was Brig. General David Bufford. Also in attendance were representatives of the City of Corning, Mayor Gary Strack, City Manager Steve Kimbrough and Councilwoman Toni Parkins and other city staff, as well as representatives from Los Molinos High School. There were also various veterans groups represented.
A luncheon was served after the service at the Corning Veterans Memorial Building.
More...
A Memorial Service in honor of Allen Johnson was held at Fort Bragg, NC on May 12, 2005. Page includes pictures.
Christmas 2007
click to enlarge