A couple of kind folks asked in correspondence if there was a fund or foundation related to the Johnsons and their fight to reopen the investigation of daughter LaVena’s death in Iraq. LaVena’s father, Dr. John Johnson, informed me yesterday that there are plans in the works for just such an organization. The working title is The LaVena Lynn Johnson Legal Foundation. The purpose will be broader than just LaVena’s case; the foundation will bring attention to other women in the military, women who have been sexually assaulted.
Dr. Johnson and some others are working on the bylaws of the organization, on a purpose/mission statement, on projected budgetary matters. Donations will be welcome when things get to that point. It’s early in the process and there will be more news to come. I will certainly post developments on the LaVena website, and perhaps here as well. If you haven’t done so already, you may want to bookmark the LaVena site or (even better) subscribe to the site’s RSS feed so you don’t miss any announcements. Thanks.
I have not heard about this case. I only stumbled across it through the What About Our Daughters? post linking it to a Salon.com blog entry about it.
I’m shocked and horrified that the case was ruled a suicide. I’m going to link this blog to mine and make a quick entry concerning this case.
I just found out about this. It makes me sick. Suicide? They weren’t even trying to make it up. This really makes me mad.
I will share information on this case with my blog readers…
Our prayers are with the family…
peace, Villager
I just learned of the story of Ms. LaVena Johnson.
I applaud your sense of justice with creating the petition and movement.
As the petition has expired, and the interest I have received by sharing the story, I created another petition targeting the house, senate and president as I saw that you have the armed services committee covered.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/56/justice-for-lavena-johnson
Thank you again.
In light and love
Danielle
Dear Danielle, thank you for starting another petition. I signed it. I hope PFC Johnson’s case is brought to justice. I am deeply saddened to think of all the other soldiers though who either don’t have a family or a support network with the energy it must take to fight this modern Army. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/09/AR2008070902169.html