Pentagon Victim Memorialized With Tree
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Pentagon Victim Memorialized With Tree

A living memorial was dedicated in the memory of Burke resident Lt. Col. Dennis M. Johnson, who was killed in the attack on the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001. His widow, Joyce Johnson, joined local politicians, military leaders and friends on Saturday, Sept. 7, at Burke Lake Park to memorialize Johnson with a tree and plaque at the park where he jogged frequently.

"This is where we spent our weekends quite often. It was nice and relaxing and he would get his military run in," said Joyce Johnson.

Supervisor Sharon Bulova (D-Braddock) was behind the effort, along with the Fairfax County Department of Parks and Recreation and American Forests, who donated a Tidal Basin cherry tree. Boy Scout Troop 1345 from Terra Centre presented the colors, and retired Army Gen. Roger Thompson, who knew Johnson, was there as well.

"Dennis was tall and strong. This tree will symbolize that. The tree will be a symbol of who Dennis was," he said.

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors chairman Kate Hanley (D) looked on as well.

"Those who plant trees in memoriam are also optimists," she said.

U.S. Rep. Tom Davis (R-11th) talked about the change resulting from Sept. 11.

"Sept. 11 changed the Earth for all of us, but not nearly as much as it did the Johnson family. Freedom that we have in this country does not always come easy," he said.

A plaque was present at the ceremony, but the actual tree was not, due to the drought. It will be planted at Burke Lake inside the main gate when the conditions are right.

"It's not here, as you can see. It's being protected and nurtured," Bulova said.

American Forests initially gave Johnson a tree, but it was not big enough to meet park service standards, so they gave her another one of adequate size. According to Johnson, American Forests is donating one tree for each victim of the terrorist attacks.

"A tree will get planted for all the victims," she said.

The Johnson family lived in Burke for three years starting in 1991 and moved back in 1998. They had been married 22 years. The two Johnson daughters did not attend the ceremony. It was difficult for Johnson as well.

"It took me a long time [before] I could just come here and walk," she said.