LAWTON — Albert Johnson Jr.’s path to a military career began with his father.
When Johnson was a student at Lawton High School, his father pushed him to join the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program during his sophomore year.
“For those of you who know my dad, you know that that was not a request,” Johnson said. “That was a requirement.”
Johnson, who spent more than 28 years in the U.S. Army before retiring as a colonel, told his story during a Veterans Day celebration Nov. 11 at Lawton City Hall. The first-time event, which took place in the banquet hall, honored more than 160 veterans who work for the city.
Johnson said his connection to the military dated back to his grandfather; a Buffalo Soldier stationed at Fort Sill in the 1940s. His grandfather’s last position at Fort Sill was as sergeant major of the Colored Force Detachment.
“A picture hangs in my office of 69 solders, 66 of whom are colored, as they were called in those days — in the 1940s,” Johnson said. “The other three are the white officers that led them.”
Johnson said the soldiers in the photo were less concerned about the color of their skin than about the requirement to attend Picture Day. For them, Picture Day wasn’t about anything more than dressing up, showing up, having the photo taken and getting back to work.
Johnson said his grandfather’s family included six boys and one girl, and three of them retired from military service — two from the Army and one from the Air Force.
Johnson said his father had two paralyzed fingers on his left hand and was unable to serve in the military. He said in some ways, that may have been his father’s motivation for pushing Johnson to join the Army.
“He had seen the impact the military had on him and his family, and he wanted me to have that opportunity,” Johnson said.
Johnson also paid tribute to the veterans who have continued their careers in public service by working for the city. He said every branch of the military, including the Australian Army, is represented at City Hall.
The Lawton Police Department has the largest number of veterans, with 79, Johnson said. The Lawton Fire Department has 20 veterans in its ranks, and the wastewater treatment plant has 20.
Military spouses are also well represented in municipal government, Johnson said. Many military spouses work at the police department or the fire department, but some are employed at Lawton Public Library or in the engineering department.
“I trust you, as the employees of the city of Lawton, value the impact you are having on our progress and our successes,” Johnson said. “You are, no doubt, challenged daily with providing outstanding services to our community. And I trust you are fulfilled when you see successes along the way.”
Throughout the event, slides showing the veterans who work for the city flashed on a screen at the front of the banquet hall.
Veterans who are working at City Hall are still serving their community in their civilian jobs, said City Manager Michael Cleghorn, who was in the Army for 21 years before pursuing a career in public service.
“Whether you’re a police officer or a fireman or an employee with public works, or in Parks and Recreation, or any other office in which you serve, your dedication to service is a unique trait,” he said. “I applaud you for offering yourself and your service to your country, and now your community.”
The Lawton Police Department Fraternal Order of Police Lodge, the Lawton Police Officers Association, International Union of Police Associations Local 24 and the Lawton Firefighters Association sponsored the event.