I have known SSG Ryan T. Johnson since I supported him in Afghanistan in 2004-05. We have met 3 times, most recently in June 2007 when I visited him and his family in Iowa before he deployed to Iraq (for which he volunteered).

  Ryan is supposed to be home on leave right now, but instead he gave his leave time to a 19-year-old young man who was having problems dealing with his deployment. All leaves for this unit had been cancelled for March and April, so without Ryan's unselfish gesture, the other soldier wouldn't have gotten to go home. Instead, Ryan won't be coming home until his tour ends, hopefully by June.

  Obviously, Ryan's family was crushed with disappointment that he wouldn't be home--but SO proud of him for putting one of his men first.  I keep in touch with his mom and grandma as well, and we all think he exemplifies the terrific qualities found in our troops!!

   Ryan will be 30 years old on March 21st. I would love to have him receive as many birthday greetings as possible!  Please contact me if you have any questions about him!  I have asked him to update his AS page as I think his address may be expired (he says he doesn't need anything!)  but I'd be willing to send any birthday cards etc. to him on your behalf  if you send them to me.  (as Susan MK is also doing for her contact, Eric.)

Thank you!

Count me in! I sent you a PM...

 

I just checked and he is still listed as an active contact.  Would you prefer for us to send the cards to you or would you like us to send them directly to him?

 Donna

Jen, I PMd you--thanks!  Donna, you can handle it either way, I will send out my boxes to him around March 7th,  so if you want to send something to me I'll get it to him. Or, just request his address and mail directly to him--whichever works best for you!  PM me if you want my address. Thanks so much!!

Thanks for that, Cheryl, I've requested his address.  What a special person!

 Nancy 

Hi Cheryl.

Ryan and I have the same birthday. I have requested his address. Thanks for sharing his story with  us.

 

Stacy

Thanks to all of you I've been hearing from through e-mails, PMs, and this thread....I know your generosity will help make Ryan's b-day special despite the circumstances.  He is of the opinion that 30 is SO OLD--I'm sure we can set him straight!      I really appreciate your help!!

You may want to send him a " birthday box",,,I did for Seabee contact: cake, can of frosting, cans of soup  for lunch,little pointy birthday hats, some balloons, etc! A few games to play,,such as MAD LIBS and some puzzles. And I got the best present- a photo of the guys wearing those silly little hats and smiling! Oops, and yes I did include the candles which I did not know were considered a no-no. I will check his post for address and send a card, my contact was thrilled and shocked to get all those cards, it made his 3rd birthday tour in Iraq a little better.

  Hi Cheryl,

I've sent a PM requesting your address. I'd be honored to send a birthday card to Ryan.

Thanks for allowing us to help let him know 30 is still young.

Hugs,

Sharon

Cheryl

  Ryan sounds like a very special young man. Please send me your address so that I can mail a card to you for his birthday. It would be great to deluge him with mail on this special day!

Thanks,

Hillary

Hi Cheryl-I'll request his address & send a card!

Jo

Sending you an email, I would love to send him a card. I will be 30 soon and everyone is reminding what a big birthday that is...however I might start counting backwards.

I just saw this thread and will request Ryan's address and send some B-Day goodies.  Our family has scads of March birthdays, including my 3 sisters and 2 kids,   one on the 21st!   Bet he's gonna be surprised!!

 Thanks for letting us know,

Anita

My family is full of March Bdays also.  9 I do believe.

I start out the month on the First, my mom on the 11th and my dad on the 21st..

I have Ryans Address in my email and i will see if I can get a few Cards made for him.  My girls are 7 and 8. They  are getting used to me requesting them to draw a picture or color a picture for our troops..

Well get an envelope in the mail before the first complete week in March...

 

Robert

Thanks to all of you! Ryan will love stuff made by your girls, Robert--he is great with kids!  He is going to be so amazed when all these birthday wishes start coming in from people who should have no idea when his b-day is!!    Can't wait to hear his reaction!!  Happy birthday to all of you who have upcoming celebrations in March!!