A 777-word article written by Kim J. Clark Aka Expanding LoveKim is the mother of a veteran who loved his country and was willing to lay his life down for the freedoms in which he believed. She is the Founder and CEO of The DeMarco Project, a non-profit organization. Her life’s mission is to save veteran lives and improve the quality of life for traumatized military service persons. If you would like to support her in this work, please donate to www.TheDeMarcoProject.org or The DeMarco Project Facebook page.
 
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     Dr. Dion Johnson, a Desert Storm and Desert Shield Army Veteran had a phenomenal career during his Army Military Police Corps service.
     Dion joined the military because of irreconcilable differences with his college track and field coach. The coach felt every sprinter should be on the football practice squad. Dion, a high hurdler, and quarter-miler had other plans. Although he attended Grambling State University on an athletic scholarship, his first love was biochemistry. Eventually, Dion left school and returned home. He struggled to raise money for tuition and decided to enlist in the Army. 
     His 12-year military career began with the 786th Military Police Corps Battalion (Bn) at Fort McClellan as PFC (Private First Class). After he became squad leader of his platoon, the Company Commander had noticed he had leadership skills, spoke with him, and asked why he was not in the ROTC. The Commander wrote Dion a letter of recommendation. As a result, he received a two-year scholarship to Eastern Michigan University through the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC). He took full advantage of the opportunity: reservist attending school and Cadet Officer in the military. 
     Dion graduated from Eastern with a Bachelor of Science in Public Law and Government. At the same time, he became a Commissioned Officer at the onset of Desert Storm. 
He served the 301st Military Police (MP) Prisoner of War Camp Inkster, MI. He then became a Cadet Officer of the 783rd Military Police Battalion. Dion was promoted to 2nd & 1st Lieutenant 300th Military Police Prisoner of War Command and was Captain at the end of his enlistment.