As the nation pauses to remember those who serve our country, a 2011 Oxford High School graduate and Oxford, Mississippi, native has special responsibilities serving with the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard in Washington D.C.
“I love serving in the ceremonial guard because there are things that I have done and will continue to do here that will matter to people long after I’m gone,” said Johnson. “When I fold the flag or carry the casket of a fallen service member, I know the family will remember that moment and carry it with them. My favorite moment of being in the guard is carrying Senator John McCain’s remains. To do something like that for a person who was that decorated was a great honor.”
Established in 1931, the United States Navy Ceremonial Guard is the official Ceremonial Unit of the U.S. Navy and is based at Naval District Washington Anacostia Annex.
Johnson credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in their hometown of Oxford.
“A lesson that I’ve learned from Oxford is that to always stay true to yourself and don’t try to impress others,” said Johnson. “Find your own goals and achieve them regardless of how others look at you. Write your own story and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”
According to Navy officials, the Ceremonial Guard's primary mission is to represent the Navy in the Nation's Capital under the scrutiny of the highest-ranking officials of the United States and foreign nations, including royalty.
Sailors of the Ceremonial Guard are hand selected while they are attending boot camp at Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Illinois. Strict military order and discipline, combined with teamwork, allow the Ceremonial Guard to fulfill their responsibilities with pride and determination. They are experts in the art of close order drill, coordination, and timing.
The Ceremonial Guard is comprised of the drill team, color guard, casket bearers, and firing party.
Casket bearers carry the Navy's former service members to their resting ground in Arlington National Cemetery and other veteran cemeteries.
The firing party renders honors, such as a gun salute, the signature honor of military funerals, during every Navy Funeral at Arlington National Cemetery.
Johnson and other sailors know they are part of a legacy honoring service and sacrifice of men and women on this historic occasion, while representing the Navy the nation needs.
Serving in the Navy, Johnson is learning about leadership and responsibility, among many other skills required of military service.
“What Serving in the navy means to me is to get up every morning and serve others in this country,” said Johnson. “Even though this is a job I do this to protect others, it gives me a great purpose that I never thought I would have in a career.”
The firing party renders honors, such as a gun salute, the signature honor of military funerals, during every Navy Funeral at Arlington National Cemetery.
Johnson and other sailors know they are part of a legacy honoring service and sacrifice of men and women on this historic occasion, while representing the Navy the nation needs.
Serving in the Navy, Johnson is learning about leadership and responsibility, among many other skills required of military service.
“What Serving in the navy means to me is to get up every morning and serve others in this country,” said Johnson. “Even though this is a job I do this to protect others, it gives me a great purpose that I never thought I would have in a career.”