Facing the Call

Facing the Call

Being a successful Master Sergeant select in the United States Air Force, Jessica Johnson has a riddled past with professional and personal hardships. Making sacrifices that some may consider unimaginable and doing the right thing regardless of the situation is courageous. Her courage goes beyond the expectation of the uniform and she holds her head high as her heart sinks. Jessica exemplifies bravery by putting her family and country ahead of herself despite any personal turmoil she may experience.

As she was packing her vehicle to leave for six months to a foreign country, she looked back and saw three sorrowful faces in the walkway. Jessica goes to each one and has a private conversation with each of them. Despite spending quality time with her children in the days before, she felt she needed to reassure them that she will be safe, and how much she loves them. Every bone in her body begged her to stay and not leave her babies, but she must follow her orders. When she made a commitment to her country, she gave up that option of being with her children everyday of their lives. Jessica was proud to serve, but it was hard for her to see the price her children would pay. While she was walking to her car for the last time before leaving with a weary heart, she put on her warrior face and did not let a tear fall. She had a job to do. Jessica had realized that she was showing her children that taking care of them and providing for them was what was necessary, regardless of the pain. Jessica took one last look at her home and saw no faces this time. She knew that her family was as prepared as they were going to be for her to leave to protect her country and provide for them. In the blink of an eye, Jessica Johnson transformed for a mother to a warrior.

At this present time Jessica is off exhibiting bravery each second, day and night, by being deployed. Everyone is hoping and praying for her safe return, as well as the rest of the airman she serves along side. Every chance possible she hides her fears and tears to communicate with her family and keep the connection alive through; phone calls, emails, and video chats, but there is no replacement for a hug shared between a mother and a child. Her mental and physical strengths are truly admirable for being able to do this numerous times. Jessica is more of a hero than she will ever be recognized for, since there are many others that cross these thresholds every day with this country being at war. The United States of America can only hope and pray there are more service men and women that display this amount of bravery and pride. Jessica Johnson epitomizes the courage that this great nation was founded upon and her bravery shows that it continues today.

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