Vol. 49, No. 11, September 2020
Serving the Greater Stuttgart Military Community
www.stuttgartcitizen.com
Back to class, amid COVID-19
Photo by Rick Scavetta, USAG Stuttgart
Liam Hall and classmates from Ms. Lori Smith’s second grade class at Patch Elementary School, learn the importance of wearing masks and physical distancing to combat the spread of coronavirus as school begins, Aug. 24, at Panzer Kaserne in Böblingen, Germany. For more back to school images, turn to page 8.
Blinded in one eye, runner and Navy veteran perseveres By Rick Scavetta U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart On New Year’s Day, when Dustin Johnson left U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart to continue his run across the globe, he left behind hundreds of community members inspired by his cause — raising awareness of suicide in the military and among veterans. Johnson, a Navy veteran, overcame a suicide attempt and lost a friend to suicide. By the time Johnson reached Stuttgart, he’d already run across South America, half of North America and most of Europe, roughly 6,000 miles in 190 days. Thousands of people followed Johnson as he continued, running more than 30 miles per day across Europe and back in the States. Online fans were shocked to recently learn of Johnson’s new challenge — he was shot in the face with fireworks on Independence Day and blinded in one eye. Severe pain and sunlight sensitivity caused Johnson to get his damaged eyeball removed. He remains determined, however, to help others — especially service members and veterans. “Someone out there may see me struggling. If I give up on myself, they may give up
on themselves,” Johnson said. “So, if I keep fighting and I can push through, then maybe I can help someone who doesn’t have anyone else to lean on.” September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. By not giving up, Johnson hopes service members and veterans who hear his story look at what he’s overcome and find inspiration. “During these tough times we are presented with two choices. Stay down or get up. Be a victim or a hero,” Johnson said. “Adversity will be present throughout our whole lives. I refuse to be held down as a victim, I will rise as a hero.” Meeting the Stuttgart Military Community On Dec. 31, 2019, USAG Stuttgart community members first met Johnson and learned of his past at an event held by the USO and the local VFW post. In 2017, after three years serving as a Navy plane captain aboard three aircraft carriers, Johnson left the military. Within six months, he missed the camaraderie and became unhappy, depressed and numb. When his house burned with all his possessions. Johnson was devastated and attempted suicide.
Photo by Jason Johnston, TSC Stuttgart
Dustin Johnson, a Navy veteran and long distance runner who raises awareness to suicide among military members and veterans, runs at the Killesberg park on New Year’s Day.
While recovering, Johnson took advice from doctors and friends. He developed a new goal, to use running to help others. In May 2019, he began running, first in the U.S., then in South America. (Details of his run are on StuttgartCitizen.com) By Nov. 1, he arrived in Europe, running across Portugal, Spain, France and Belgium before heading to the U.S. military communities in Germany. He spent Christmas at U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz before his 107-mile run from Ramstein Air Base to Stuttgart. In Stuttgart, Christy Price and her husband Jim welcomed Johnson into their home. Her own son had left for basic training and maternal instincts kicked in, she said. She wanted Johnson to have a safe place to rest, decompress and get home-cooked meals. During his stay, he became like one of the family. “He’s incredibly centered and knows what’s important to him,” Price said. “He decided to make his life positive and share that positivity with the rest of the world, to let them know they are not alone.” Supporters treated Johnson to Swabian fare and joined him for a fun run in a local See RUNNER, page 5
