Published: August 20, 2008 09:29 am            

A sacrifice honored

Fallen Rio Vista soldier awarded Bronze Star

RIO VISTA — Dozens gathered at American Legion Post 648 Monday to honor Staff Sgt. Johnnie V. Mason, a 101st Airborne Division soldier killed December 2005 in Al Mahmudiyah, Iraq. Family members and friends joined fellow service men and women as residents to mark the presentation of Mason’s posthumous Bronze Star Medal with a V device to Mason’s father, Rodger Mason, and stepmother, Georgia Mason.

Mason, 32 at the time of his death, graduated Rio Vista High School and went on to join the military.

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Hubert Couch representing Fort Hood presented the Bronze Star to Mason’s parents during a ceremony held at the American Legion Post in Rio Vista. The burial guard unit from Fort Hood honored Mason with a 21 gun salute.

Mason received numerous commendations during his military career. From June 2005 he worked in Iraq disarming several bombs a day, according to a Texas House of Representatives Resolution honoring Mason. State Rep, Rob Orr, R-Burleson, sponsored the resolution.

After sending members of his unit to take cover, Mason died when an explosive device he was attempting to disarm exploded.

“Right after it happened, we heard he was in a Humvee,” Rodger Mason said. “But I later learned he was working with a bomb-dispach truck, which he helped design. There were five other men there, one of his team members and four working security. Johnnie’s last words to them were, ‘It’s a trap. Take cover.’”

The loss of Mason still hurts, Rodger Mason told those present.

“The past two and a half years have been hell, even when it comes to the mention of Johnnie’s name,” Rodger Mason said. “They say it gets easier, but, let me tell you, it doesn’t. And it never will.”

Mason was buried with full military honors in Arlington Memorial Cemetery.

Barney Barnhart, a former Boy Scout scoutmaster to Mason, delivered the closing prayer praying for fewer of these awards and ceremonies in the future honoring fallen soldiers.

Mason is survived by his wife Brook Mason of Clarksville, Tenn., his stepdaughter, Ashley Bradley; his stepson Adam Bradley; and his stepsister, Norma Hawk of Cleburne.

        

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