Minister Loses Home To Fire

Alabama Mobile But father of soldier killed in Iraq is getting help from friends.

by Steve Alexander

Published: Thu, September 25, 2008 - 9:03 pm CST Last Updated: Thu, September 25, 2008 - 9:44 pm CST

Friends of a Mobile minister who lost his son in the Iraqi war are coming to his aid after yet another tragedy.
The Reverend Howard Johnson and his wife lost almost everything they owned in a house fire last month.
But this weekend, friends are holding an event to help them recover.
On August 25, fire destroyed Reverend Johnson's home while he and his seven year old grandson were inside.
Reverend Johnson said, "I made an attempt to go to him, but the smoke and heat pushed me back and then I really became alarmed."
Fortunately, Johnson and his grandson weren't hurt, but there is emotional pain.
Johnson is the father of Private First Class Howard Johnson the Second.
Private Johnson was killed in Iraq in 2003.
His military service awards and other special keepsakes were all destroyed in the fire.
Reverend Johnson said, "My wife and I both had a bronze star each and we had a purple heart each. We lost that."
Also gone is the American flag presented to Reverend Johnson at his son's funeral.
First, Reverend Johnson lost his son, and then he lost many of the memories.
But he says he hasn't lost faith in God.
Reverend Johnson said, "Its not bothering me at all because, I know, just like the Lord gave that, He'll give something us. I still believe He's good."
One of Reverend Johnson's fellow ministers is sponsoring an the evening of encouragement in his honor.
It will take place this Saturday, September 22 at 6:30 pm at the Truevine Missionary Baptist Church at 1850 Dr. Martin Luther King Junior Avenue in Mobile.

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