Senator Johnson Recognized By Ohio Veterans Of Foreign Wars

COLUMBUS—The Department of Ohio Veterans of Foreign Wars named State Senator Terry Johnson (R-McDermott) their Legislator Of The Year due to his dedication to improving the lives of Ohio's veterans.

"I am honored to have been named the VFW's Legislator Of The Year," said Senator Johnson. "As Chairman of the Armed Services, Veterans Affairs and Public Safety Committee, I have made it a priority to improve the lives of Ohio's veterans, active-duty military, and their families."

Commissioned into the Ohio Army National Guard while a fourth-year medical student, he attained the rank of colonel in just 12 years. A senior flight surgeon and an Ohio Army National Guard State Aviation Medical Officer, Dr. Johnson was deployed overseas multiple times, including two tours in Iraq and one posting in Kuwait. He ended his military career in 2011 as the Army Guard's State Surgeon, at the time the highest position attainable for a medical officer.

Senator Johnson has had several pieces legislation passed through the senate. These include two pieces of legislation signed by the governor: Senate Bill 39, which provide for informational poster on veteran benefits and services, and Senate Bill 257 from the 135th General Assembly, which allowed active-duty military to participate in the homeownership savings program. Senate Bill 179, which would verify veteran status of imprisoned individuals, has been passed by the State Senate.

During his time in the Ohio House of Representatives, Colonel (U.S. Army, Retired) Johnson was the long serving chairman of the House Veterans Committee. In his present role, he is Chairman of the Senate Armed Forces, Veterans Affairs, and Public Safety Committee, where he continues his work in support of all veteran organizations including the Veterans of Foreign War, of which he is a life member.