Billy Long gives thanks to our heroes

(From Seventh District Congressman Billy Long)

I lost a dear friend and we all lost a true American Hero on Wednesday May 27th; Col. Sam Johnson was 89 years old. Each of his fingers ran in three or four different directions and he walked with a severe limp, all the result of the daily beatings he received from his captors during the seven years he spent in the Hanoi Hilton as a POW during the Vietnam War.

Sam served in the United States Congress for 28 years before deciding not to seek re-election and retiring in January of 2019. I had the honor and distinct privilege of serving alongside Sam for 8 of those 28 years. 

Although he went through the security check point at Reagan National airport three times a month, one day a TSA agent was giving him a hard time in the body scanner where you are required to raise your hands high above your head. 

“Raise your hands higher,” the agent barked at Sam. Sam snapped back, “this is as high as I can raise them.” At which point I stepped in and said, “he was beaten for seven years - leave him alone; he’s a Congressman and an American Hero!” 

I never met a kinder or gentler man than Sam or “Sammy Baby” as I called him - he loved it and would always get that twinkle in his eye when I would address him as such. 

Col. Robert Sam Johnson was the embodiment of the Heroes we take time to honor every Memorial Day. If you want to truly understand Sam Johnson, pick up a copy of his book Captive Warriors, and no, you cannot have my signed copy.

Last weekend, our nation paused to remember the brave men and women like Sam who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our great nation. 

Unfortunately, we were unable to celebrate these heroes at the U.S. Capitol and Arlington National Cemetery was closed to only family due to the Coronavirus. 

Our subdued celebrations serve as a stark reminder of how vital our essential workers and frontline heroes are, and I encourage you all to join me in giving thanks to the men and women fighting a different kind of war on our nation.

We owe a great debt to all of the doctors, nurses, firefighters, police officers, first responders, and hospital staff who have put themselves in harm’s way day in and day out caring for COVID-19 patients. 

These men and women have gone above and beyond the call of duty, often working with few breaks and serving as emotional support systems for both patients and their families since loved ones are not allowed inside the hospital. We have all heard the heart-wrenching stories of doctors trying to comfort a critically ill patient or delivering heartbreaking news over the phone to the families of those who did not survive. 

We have become all too familiar with tales of the devastating toll this pandemic has taken on the healthcare workers themselves as they became sick or struggled to cope with the heartache of losing patients. What our healthcare professionals and first responders have witnessed in recent months and sacrificed to keep us safe is unimaginable, and I am eternally grateful for their service to our nation.

Across the country, farmers, ranchers, producers, and grocery store employees have worked tirelessly to ensure that our shelves are stocked during this pandemic and that our stores remain clean. These men and women have worked grueling hours to meet an often-overwhelming demand so that our families would not go hungry or without the cleaning supplies needed to keep our homes safe. We are also grateful for our postal workers, truck drivers, and fulfillment center staff for working long hours to fulfill online orders and to the restaurant employees who have continued to make hot meals available, especially for essential workers who may be too tired or busy to cook themselves.

These courageous men and women have all answered the call to serve our nation in this unprecedented time of need and have the love and support of a grateful nation. It is because of these frontline heroes that this virus has met its match and will be defeated. I am incredibly grateful for all of our frontline workers and to the millions of Americans who have stayed home to help flatten the curve. We are a strong nation and I have no doubt that we will emerge from this stronger than ever.