The silent call is answered when a Philadelphia veteran needs a car to continue his service to the community, and he is overcome with emotion by the tremendous gift!
William Penn didn’t know Lance Corporal Leonard M. Johnson when he founded and named the city of Philadelphia, but he chose it because it translates to “Brotherly Love.”
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Now, though, in 2022, Philadelphia resident Leonard “Len” Johnson surely reflects the spirit that Mr. Penn had in mind!
Leonard Johnson is a veteran of the Vietnam War. Enlisted at 18, he was injured in 1967 during a firefight. Multiple shrapnel wounds caused Lance Corporal Johnson to lose the use of his left foot, and he has since lost mobility in his right leg. However, his injury has not stopped him from serving others!
The US Marine Veteran is active in a variety of volunteer activities, including helping veterans who are incarcerated, assisting disabled veterans with claims related to military injuries through his work with the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), and delivering toys to children at Catholic Workers Orphanage. He’s been working with DAV for 50 of his 74 years!
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Lance Corporal Johnson, though awarded several recognitions, demonstrates incredible humility. He’s received a Purple Heart, a Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, a Good Conduct Medal, a National Defense Medal, a Combat Action Ribbon, and a Presidential Unit Citation.
But he’s not resting on those accomplishments. He’s out serving his fellow man every day!
So, when TrueCar asked DAV National Service Officer Joseph Kaufman for a nominee for their 8th annual DrivenToDrive initiative, he knew just the veteran who needed a car. He could think of no one more deserving than Leonard! To honor the sacrifices of military men and women, DrivenToDrive provides vehicles equipped to support their mobility needs.
In celebration of Veteran’s Day, TrueCar, along with DAV and AutoNation, presented Leonard with a beautiful 2023 Chevrolet Traverse! Leonard’s older car, with over 300,000 miles on it, can now be retired. Still, Leonard has no intention of quitting his labors of love, saying, “I feel good knowing that I can finally retire my 20-year-old car and continue my service to the community with this donation.”
Mike Darrow, President, and CEO of TrueCar, echoes those sentiments. “We’re honored to have the privilege to celebrate Marine veteran Lance Corporal Len Johnson, who not only served in Vietnam but continues to serve various communities, including his fellow veterans. We’re thrilled to be able to help him continue his mission by awarding him this new vehicle.”
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Well done, Lance Corporal Leonard Johnson! Mr. Penn would be proud!
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5
h/t: Good News Network
Featured Image Credit: Youtube/TrueCar
Hally is a freelance writer, blogger, and mental health advocate. A former school counselor, Hally works for a nonprofit that distributes tax dollars to mental health and prevention education providers that serve her county's kids and families. She's a contributor to a devotional and two essay collectives, and she shares resources and wisdom regarding parenting teens, mental health, faith, adoption, and more at http://www.hallyjwells.com where she strives to "Dig Deep and Reach High." She and her husband have three adult children and one rascally beagle pup. Hally loves travel, her book club sisters, personality tests, and a great glass of iced tea.