[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8848]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING MR. JOSHUA RAY JOHNSON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JEB HENSARLING

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, June 8, 2015

  Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Joshua Ray 
Johnson for his sacrifice and service to our country. Upon graduation 
from Eustace High School, Petty Officer 3rd Class Johnson enlisted in 
the Navy in October 2006.
  Petty Officer Johnson served stateside in the Military Police before 
being deployed overseas. He was assigned to the MOB Accounting OPS 
unit. Petty Officer Johnson's assignment was part of NATO's 
International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) that was established 
after the regime change in Afghanistan in 2001. Initially, the ISAF was 
established to train the Afghan National Security Forces and assist 
Afghanistan in rebuilding key government institutions. When Josh 
arrived in the Middle East, the ISAF had expanded its operations to 
more intensive combat operations and part of this involved 
reconnaissance missions to evaluate, account and report on the status 
of residential occupants. Petty Officer Johnson was wounded in Iraq 
when an improvised explosive device detonated and he suffered a bullet 
wound in his arm. He was honorably discharged in April of 2010 and was 
the recipient of the Purple Heart.
  While serving his country bravely and courageously, Petty Officer 
Johnson battled enemies and faced danger and possible death every day. 
Today, Petty Officer Johnson faces the toughest fight ever. He was 
diagnosed with Stage IV cancer that is inoperable and incurable in 
November 2014, on the day before Veterans Day. We will continue to keep 
him, his family and medical personnel in our prayers daily, that he 
will overcome this battle.
  Humbly, I echo the words of President Ronald Reagan, ``We will always 
remember. We will always be proud. We will always be prepared, so we 
will always be free.'' And humbly, I offer my sincere gratitude to 
Petty Officer Joshua Ray Johnson for his service and acts of bravery 
that allow us the freedoms we enjoy today.

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