thedrifter
06-18-07, 06:21 AM
Photographer’s son heading to Iraq
By Staff Reports
Father’s Day means a whole lot more when you know your son will be fighting in a distant land.
Earlier this year, Clayton Johns, 25, the son of a Daily Herald photographer, received his marching orders. He is a corporal in the U.S. Marines and is stationed at Camp Pendleton, Calif.
“Being in California and being in the Marines, it’s really hard,” Johns said. “You miss out on a lot of holidays.”
Johns, who is able to visit home about twice a year, joined the Marines four years ago. He will leave Columbia Wednesday to fly to California and will deploy June 29.
In the meantime, Clayton Johns is trying to push the deployment to the back of his mind and focus on family and friends. His father, Thomas Johns, who also served in the armed forces, is a weekend photographer for The Daily Herald.
Serving in the Marines has provided countless opportunities and a sense of belonging, the corporal said.
“Nobody is ever really ready to go,” he said. “You’ve got to put yourself in the mindset that we are going over there to do a job.”
Story created Jun 17, 2007 - 16:52:41 EDT
Ellie
By Staff Reports
Father’s Day means a whole lot more when you know your son will be fighting in a distant land.
Earlier this year, Clayton Johns, 25, the son of a Daily Herald photographer, received his marching orders. He is a corporal in the U.S. Marines and is stationed at Camp Pendleton, Calif.
“Being in California and being in the Marines, it’s really hard,” Johns said. “You miss out on a lot of holidays.”
Johns, who is able to visit home about twice a year, joined the Marines four years ago. He will leave Columbia Wednesday to fly to California and will deploy June 29.
In the meantime, Clayton Johns is trying to push the deployment to the back of his mind and focus on family and friends. His father, Thomas Johns, who also served in the armed forces, is a weekend photographer for The Daily Herald.
Serving in the Marines has provided countless opportunities and a sense of belonging, the corporal said.
“Nobody is ever really ready to go,” he said. “You’ve got to put yourself in the mindset that we are going over there to do a job.”
Story created Jun 17, 2007 - 16:52:41 EDT
Ellie