Excerpt from remarks Congressman Spencer Bachus delivered at a ceremony awarding a posthumous Silver Star award to Pfc. Johnathon Millican of County Line. The ceremony was held on July 28 at Locust Fork High School. Pfc. Millican died in Karbala, Iraq on January 20 when he fell on a grenade during an insurgent attack on a government compound, saving the lives of his fellow soldiers.
The actions of Johnathon Millican embody the same scriptural passage that we’ve heard at funerals of many of our veterans. It is: Greater love has no man than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.
Johnathon’s life was short, but his legacy will stand.
His father shared with me a conversation he had with Johnathon just before he graduated here. Many of Johnathon’s classmates were planning for college. Others had lined up a job. Still others were talking about how they were going to spend their summers, the things they were going to do.
Johnathon had already made another decision. He was going to enlist in the Army. The call to duty to serve his country was strong in the aftermath of 9/11.
Johnathon knew there would be personal sacrifices involved. He knew the fight would not be easy. In fact, his father reminded him that it could be dangerous. Johnathon accepted that. But Johnathon believed in the mission. From Iraq, he posted an observation on the Internet which I wish everyone in this country would observe.
The quote is, “You don’t have to love the war but you have to love the warrior.”
One definition of warrior is “someone notable strength of spirit.”
Johnathon resoundingly demonstrated those qualities this past January 20th, when insurgents broke into the government compound in Karbala.
I think it is Johnathon’s valor and our concern for all our young men and women in the field that brings us together. The Silver Star Award has given each and every one of us an opportunity to thank Johnathon and his family in a tangible way for his service and his courage. I very much appreciate each and every one of you who have come out this morning to show your love, your compassion, and your gratitude to Johnathon and his family.
It’s a struggle to find the right words at a time like this. I think it’s best to go to the soldiers in the field. Let me read from the email sent to me this week from Iraq by Captain Tom Morris, who was Johnathon’s commanding officer.
“As a commander of troops in combat, losing your soldiers is harder than losing family members. Speaking at Johnathon’s memorial service was the hardest thing I ever had to do.
“It brings me great pleasure to know that he is being awarded the Silver Star and that there will be a memorial at his high school in his honor. I believe the most important thing to do is to tell his story to those who do not know it, especially those who attend his school.
“I will always remember him, especially his deep southern accent and that he was a country boy who was the toughest there was and that nothing really bothered him. I can only hope that I can be as strong, both mentally and physically, as he was.
“He will be missed, but never forgotten. He was my solider, friend, and fellow paratrooper.”
Hero is an overused word these days. It’s used to describe a TV actor or football player. There is a difference between fame and worthy accomplishment.
The reason we need to tell Johnathon’s story is so people, especially our young men and women and boys and girls, do understand the difference between celebrity and heroism. The students who go past the memorial here at Locust Fork High School will know that a real hero walked their halls.
To conclude, a passage from Corinthians (16:13) is appropriate for Johnathon and all of the soldiers who protect us. It reads:
“Be on your guard, stand firm in the faith, be men of courage, be strong.”
These words apply perfectly to Johnathon, and why he is deserving of the Silver Star being presented to his family today.