Thursday, February 14, 2008

Flagpole dedication for Congressman Sam Johnson in Rowlett on Saturday Feb. 16

By Pegasus News wire

ROWLETT — Local Veterans, boy scouts and citizens of Rowlett will gather in Veterans’ Park this Saturday, February 16 at 2 p.m. to honor Congressman Sam Johnson and to dedicate the American Flag Pole in Veterans’ Park in his honor. A special plaque will be unveiled at the foot of the American Flag Pole commemorating Congressman Johnson’s service to this country and the citizens of Rowlett.

“It is my deepest honor and privilege to dedicate the American Flag Pole in Veterans’ Park to a true American hero, Congressman Sam Johnson,” said Rowlett Mayor John E. Harper. “I want everyone who visits the park to know what an outstanding representative Congressman Johnson has been for our city, our state and our nation.”

Congressman Johnson returned home to Texas after serving in the U.S. Air Force for 29 years as a highly decorated fighter pilot. He flew combat missions in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars and was a Prisoner of War in Hanoi for nearly seven years. He was released from POW camp on February 12, 1973 and returned to Texas on February 17; 35 years ago this week.

After his distinguished military career, Johnson served in the Texas legislature. In 1991, he embarked on a new mission of service to his country - representing the people of Texas’ Third District in the United States Congress where he is still serving. Congressman Johnson was the keynote speaker at the Veterans’ Park dedication in November 2003. Veterans’ Park, nestled quietly beneath the historic water tower in downtown Rowlett, was designed to be a special public space that is one of elegant dignity while sharing the history of human conflict and the growth of Rowlett.

Elements include a water runnel timeline that greets visitors as they enter the park from Main Street. A future addition to the park will be the event columns denoting in relief the conflicts that the United States has been involved in, including but perhaps not limited to, World War I, World War II, the Korean Conflict, the Vietnam Conflict, the Desert Storm campaigns, and most recently, the war on terrorism in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Source: City of Rowlett

See more stories in:

• Politics and Government > City Government > Rowlett