[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 46 (Tuesday, April 9, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E400]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 IN HONOR OF COMMANDER KIRK H. JOHNSON

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 9, 2013

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Commander Kirk H. 
Johnson for his tireless advocacy efforts and leadership supporting 
veterans.
   Kirk H. Johnson was born September 28, 1956 in Chestertown, 
Maryland. He enlisted in the Army in 1978 at Fort McClellan, Alabama as 
a Helicopter Repairman. Kirk was promoted to Sergeant in 1980 and in 
1981, was appointed as Crew Chief for Army Chiefs of Staff.
   Mr. Johnson was awarded the Humanitarian Service Award in 1982 for 
his role in a life saving rescue mission after a commercial jet crashed 
into the 14th Street Bridge in Washington DC and plunged into the 
Potomac River. In 1983, Kirk entered the Warrant Officer Program to 
receive further flight training and graduated as an Aero Scout Pilot in 
1984. Mr. Johnson was then stationed at Ft. Ord, California and upon 
arriving served as a Line Pilot as well as a Survival Training Officer 
for the Aviator Brigade. In his time at Ft. Ord, Kirk carried out a 
multitude of different duties, from Pilot in Command to Income Tax 
Officer, before being involved in an accident that separated him from 
his two passions: aviating and being a soldier.
   Kirk has been the Commander of the Department of California American 
Veterans since 2012 (DAV). He represents 101,133 members and 68 
chapters throughout the state of California. This service organization 
provides free support to Veterans, their spouses, family members, and 
orphans. Services provided include filing claims to provide medical, 
educational, and compensation benefits to our wounded warriors.
   Kirk coordinates volunteer hours and transportation activities as a 
representative for the Veterans Administration Volunteer Services 
(VAVS) DAV at Palo Alto Veterans Hospital and the Monterey VA clinic 
since 2006. In 2012, the volunteer programs logged over 700,000 hours 
of coordinated volunteer services and thousands of travel miles from 
this transportation network. Mr. Johnson further supports VAVs by 
serving as Executive Committee President since 2010.
   Prior to assuming his current Commander role, Kirk was the Senior 
Vice Commander for Department of California DAV from 2011 to 2012 and 
Junior Vice Commander from 2010 to 2012. Kirk also acts as an Advisor 
to the Veterans Club at Monterey Peninsula Community College, which 
gives younger veterans an opportunity to help themselves and their 
community. Previously, Kirk served as the Club's President from 2009-
2011.
   Kirk's advocacy further includes his membership in the Veterans 
Focus Council from Palo Alto Health Care System and as the Judge 
Advocate and member of the Executive Committee from DAV Chapter 85, 
Seaside, California where he held previous positions. Kirk was the 
chaplain for DAV Chapter 85 from 2004 through 2007.
   Mr. Speaker, I once again want to thank Mr. Johnson for his 
continual dedication to helping our veterans and for his service to our 
country.

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