subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Thu, Dec 04 2008 

Published: August 15, 2008 03:21 pm    print this story   email this story   comment on this story  

Sale to benefit Vietnam veteran

Judd Morse Staff Writer

Ada A benefit garage sale will be held on behalf of Vietnam veteran Lonnie Johnson this Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The garage sale will be held at the Chickasaw Nation Gym, behind the Tribal Headquarters building. Proceeds from the sale go toward funding a kidney transplant for Johnson.

Johnson served in the military during the Vietnam War, and was in-country from 1968 to 1969. While there, Johnson said he and other troops were exposed constantly to the herbicide commonly known as agent orange.

“They flew over them with airplanes when they would spray them with the jungle,” said Johnson’s wife Pam. “He carried it on his back, too, spraying it. It was in the water, the food, you name it.”

Johnson said that the chemical would be sprayed constantly to try and eliminate the jungle foliage. But every time it rained, the agent orange would wash away and have to be reapplied.

This meant constant exposure to the hazardous substance.

After his time was served in the army, Johnson returned to the U.S.

The couple moved to the Latta area in the early 1970s, where they’ve been ever since.

In 1982, Johnson was diagnosed with kidney failure. Doctors estimated that he’d have to start undergoing dialysis to clean his blood within five years.

Instead, Johnson went an amazing 20 years after that initial diagnosis before undergoing dialysis treatment.

He attributes this incredible feat to a combination of healthy living and top-notch physicians.

Since then, Johnson has been on dialysis for over eight years. A little while ago he received a donor kidney, but it failed soon after the operation.

After the transplant failed, Johnson was placed back on the kidney donor list. He’s now at the top of the list for another transplant.

In the meantime, the Johnsons have recently obtained a home dialysis system, allowing the veteran’s blood to be cleaned without leaving the house. The purification process is done daily, and takes around two and a half hours.

While social security covered much of the cost of the first transplant operation, the Johnsons still have to pay a deductible of over $900 every three months.

Proceeds from the benefit garage sale will go toward making that deductible payment, covering a host of additional medical costs associated with Johnson’s recovery and saving for an eventual second transplant when it comes.

print this story   email this story   comment on this story  

Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.



Photos


Lonnie Johnson wears his combat infantryman hat while undergoing dialysis. The Combat Infantryman badge is worn by soldiers who engage in direct enemy combat. Judd Morse/ (Click for larger image)

monster
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Premium jobs

#42624
MIXER DRIVERS
Class A or B CDL
with air brakes,
start at $13.74/hour,
truck driving exp.,
& goo
...>MORE

#42823
THE CHICKASAW NATION
is accepting application for the following:

• Lawn Care Specialist-Ada/Ardmore ...>MORE

#41813
Burger King Now hiring part time & full time positions. Starting wage $7./hour. Day & evening shifts available.
App
...>MORE

42848
The Town of Roff is accepting applications for Public Works Authority Clerk position. Call 580-456-7223....>MORE

#42657

Child Advocate Coordinator
22nd Judicial District CASA, Inc. is now hiring for the position of Child Advocate
...>MORE

42886
Opportunity - Progressively growing company is now seeking a career driven individual for our Ada location. Starting pay...>MORE

42890
Big Five Community Services seeks employees to work with individuals with developmental disabilities in Ada and surround...>MORE

42776
THE TOWN OF ASHER is accepting applications for Police Chief. Starting salary will be $30,000 a year plus some benefits....>MORE

42696
Want to be Your Own Boss? Farmers Insurance Group is willing to invest $65,000 into your developing agency & your future...>MORE

42567
USPHS/DHHS/IHS - WEWOKA INDIAN HEALTH CENTER
FT/PT CONTRACT POSITIONS AVAILABLE
(with possibility of Federal E
...>MORE

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2008. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index