At 11 a.m. on Sept. 3, after more than two years of work by the Greenville Ruritan Club, the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1108 – Appalachian Mavericks and the Johnson Family, the SPC 4 Everette R. Johnson Memorial Bridge will be formally dedicated. The bridge is located near Greenville on State Route 122 in Monroe County. Johnson was killed in action in the Vietnam War on Feb. 7, 1968. The designation was made by the West Virginia Legislature during the 2016 regular session.
SPC 4 Johnson had only arrived in Vietnam three weeks earlier, on Jan. 22, 1968. He was stationed at Fort Lee, VA. He was married to the former Sue G. Loan of Richmond. VA, and they were expecting their first child, a son born in August of 1968. He was named Everette Robert Johnson, Jr. in honor of his father.
Johnson was born in Beckley on Nov. 7, 1947, but lived the most of his life in Monroe County. He spent his entire school career at Greenville School in central Monroe County and graduated from Greenville High School in 1965.
Surviving him at the time of his death, in addition to his wife, were his unborn son, mother, father, an older sister, Darlene Johnson, and three younger brothers, Wayne, David and Maury Johnson. Also surviving were both paternal and maternal grandparents and a large extended family of cousins as well as many friends.
He was buried on Feb. 16, 1968, on the eighth birthday of his youngest brother and the 69th birthday of his paternal grandfather, William Robert “Bob” Johnson.
This is only the second bridge to be designated by the West Virginia Legislature as a Memorial Bridge in Monroe County, the other being the Ensign William Campbell Bridge in Alderson crossing the Greenbrier River. Campbell was a Korean War Veteran.
The Everette R. Johnson Memorial Bridge is located on State Route 122, approximately two miles east of Greenville and 2.75 miles west of the junction of Route 122 and U.S. 219. The dedication will be held at the bridge.
A small parade near the bridge is planned. Following the dedication, a reception will be held at the Greenville Ruritan Community Building. (In case of inclement weather, the dedication will also be at the Community Center.) Everyone is welcome to attend. A special tribute to all veterans, active and reserve military, who are in attendance, is planned.
For more information contact Maury Johnson at maurywjohnson@yahoo.com or call 304-832-6085.