Sunday, 7/26/2020

“Donna”

5 rounds of:

60 high knees

30 burpees

20 bench dips

10 air squats

namesake photo

Background: This hero workout is dedicated to Staff Sergeant Donna Johnson (she/her) who joined the North⁠ Carolina Army National Guard in 2006 and was a⁠ member of the 514th Military Police Company based in⁠ Winterville, North Carolina. In 2007 and 2008, she⁠ deployed to Iraq and was deployed to Afghanistan in⁠ 2012.⁠

On October 1, 2012, in Khost, Afghanistan, SSgt Johnson was killed in action when an insurgent detonated a suicide vest while they were on dismounted patrol.⁠

Before deploying in 2012, SSgt Johnson married her⁠
long-time partner, Tracy. However, upon her death, the⁠ Army did not consider Tracy as her next of⁠
kin. When the Army representatives arrived to inform⁠ SSgt Johnson’s family of her death, Tracy presented⁠ their marriage certificate and asked to be part of the⁠ military escort that would welcome her wife back to⁠ U.S. soil. Since the discriminatory policy of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was still in place, her request was initially denied. ⁠

Ultimately, at the request of SSgt Johnson’s mother, Sandra Johnson, the Army granted Tracy’s request.⁠

SSgt Johnson has received numerous awards and decorations and, most recently, had a National Guard Center named in her honor

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