Today my walk was dedicated in honor of:
Navy Veteran Forrest N. Johnson, Age 91 of Pleasant Hill, TN.
Died Oct. 25, 2018
AT the age of 17 Forrest went to Wabash College on the Navy’s WWII V-12 program, and later attended McCormick Seminary in Chicago, where he earned his Master of Divinity degree. He ministered in congregations and served in other capacities in several states and even in Tokyo, Japan, NY, IL, TX, CT and his final 14 years were spent at Uplands Village Retirement Community in Pleasant Hill.
He had many talents and interests. He acted in national television commercials and for fun worked at the Pasadena Playhouse, studied with Lee Strasberg in New York, and was a summer actor at the Tamworth, NH,”Barnstormers” theater where he had roles in “Life With Father” and “Lion in Winter”. Passionate about social justice he spent his New York and Connecticut years involved in both the anti-war and Civil Rights movements. In 1962 he participated in Dr Martin Luther King Jr’s Albany, GA, Campaign , where he was arrested with Dr. King while praying on the courthouse steps.
In his retirement ages he enjoyed reading, walking, and being entertained by his grandchildren, and writing books. He is the author of several self-published volumes of stories, and a play about Thomas Merton whose life and work he greatly admired.
We had a great walk this morning. First we stopped at Boats & Harbors downtown to see the big boat anchor in the window. I thought it was only appropriate since Forrest served in the Navy. Then we stopped at the war memorials down town. I want to thank everyone who honked and waved in helping me honor this hero. It was amazing.
He will NOT be forgotten !
