“Serving in the Navy has always been my destiny,” said Johnson. “Terrell is full of people just like me who were raised on freedom and the knowledge of the price of that freedom.”
Johnson’s most recent command in the Navy was in the United States Navy Ceremonial Guard. In the Ceremonial Guard, he performed in Color Guard in highly visible ceremonies for the President of the United States, and the Chief of Naval Operations. This position led him to assignments that occurred mainly at Arlington National Cemetery and high-ranking officer retirement ceremonies. Johnson notes that while he takes pride in all of his assignments, one experience tops the list as his most memorable.
“My best experience was standing watch over the late former president George H.W. Bush as he lied in wake in the rotunda of the U.S Capital building,” shared Johnson.
In the near future, Johnson will attend school to become a Cryptological Technological Technician, where he will learn to read radars and sonar to detect and deter seaboard threats and surface to surface threats.
When Johnson is not on assignment, he takes every opportunity possible to come home and visit his friends and family. Over the Terrell Homecoming Week last month, Johnson returned to Terrell to speak to the students of Gilbert Willie Sr. Elementary School, where both of his parents, Pamela and Nathan Clowers are on staff. Johnson shares that wherever his journey with the Navy takes him, his hometown, and the people who occupy it, are always close to his heart.
“Terrell is a great place to grow up,” said Johnson. “While there may not be a lot to do, it is the people that make a small town great. I know without a doubt that helping defend this nation, and our sweet town, is my dream job.”
Thank you for your service and sacrifice Seaman Avery Johnson!