Springfield Pa. is suburban Philly.
Thank you for this post, Tribune7.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nearing the end of a two-week leave, Major Johnson spent a day prior to Thanksgiving break with students. His youngest daughter, Suzanna, a senior, is a student of Tom Brientnall, who felt Johnson's firsthand experience would broaden the knowledge of his American Government classes...
... Johnson explained the role of a chaplain is as a military pastor to soldiers, and a guarantor of the right to free expression religious beliefs. He also gave pictorial context to conditions in which servicemen in Afghanistan live and operate....
"You may be passionately antiwar," he said, seeing only two hands raised in a group of more than 100. "I'm passionately antiwar, but I support the military. It is an honorable profession before God."
...Fairly good, Johnson said of the film, "Black Hawk Down." But he clearly stated any portrayal of soldiers as "bloodthirsty" is off the mark. He also stressed to the students the courage and bravery of soldiers who were "only a few years older than you."
When questioned about what he does, Johnson responded, "I routinely help soldiers with personal problems in life."
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Ping. Y
These trips to the schools give the kids a rare glimpse into another world. They are invaluable.