Charles Rodney Johnson

West Point, 1955

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Gene Loparco on February 21, 2017:

It was an honor to know the Colonel as a personal friend and a fellow Vietnam Combat Brother in the Tri-County Council Vietnam Era Veterans. What a pleasure it was to accompany Charlie to West Point on 10/2/14 to take photos for his Class of 1955. Without going into details - the 1955 Classmates did an outstanding job, "in giving back" to West Point. He was like a kid again, showing ALL the homes, buildings, areas, cemetery, history of West Point. Of course, as a movie follower, I had questions on the movie, "The Long Gray Line" - he had the stories to share, too. When we arrived, he said, Gene just a few of the buildings, area & some of the donated items....well, 1,000 photos were taken. Glad, too; because many were used for his Class of 1955's 60th Anniversary gathering in VA, the following year. Also, proud that he wanted me to take photos of his awards & Army memories, for his cousin & their Family Tree. For that assignment, it was only a couple of hundred photos, didn't want to go overboard but enough to show how great Col. Charles "Charlie" Johnson WAS....IS! Wouldn't take any money & his gift to me was a West Point Candy Bowl - I cherish it. Just prior to the Army vs. Navy game; I called him & he was very excited that we were going to the game. So much, that he mailed me his 8" Button: GO ARMY - BEAT NAVY. I treasure this gift, too; knowing he saw the 14 year streak end. This MS "Country Boy" was 12 years older than I and I felt his connection, not as an older brother but a father. Charlie, May God bless you. It was my honor to know you, as a great American.

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