Utah family has 5 on active duty

HOLLADAY — Many Utahns are paying close attention to events in foreign lands these days, but perhaps none more than Paul and Marilyn Johnson of Holladay.

The Johnsons have not one, not two, but three sons serving as combat engineers with the Utah National Guard in Iraq. A fourth son is now headed for a tour of duty in Afghanistan. And their son-in-law, married to the Johnsons' oldest child and only daughter, is also fighting in Iraq.

"I'm preoccupied with the events of the world right now," Paul Johnson said. "It is tough. It's darn tough."

No doubt about that, with four of the Johnsons' seven sons currently in harm's way. Of the other three, two have previously served in the military and the third wanted to serve his country but was rejected for medical reasons.

All seven of the Johnson boys and their brother-in-law are Eagle Scouts. And while father Paul did not serve in the military, mother Marilyn feels the urge to serve grew from her sons' experiences as Scouts and the deep love they developed for their country.

"They've always been taught they have a duty to their country," she said. "They know how important it is."

With three boys and a son-in-law already in Iraq, the Johnsons learned a few months ago their youngest son, Chris, had been assigned to Afghanistan as a sergeant in the Air National Guard. Mom figured that was a bit much for one family and thought she probably could call her congressman and win permission for Chris to stay home.

But her youngest, age 22, would have nothing of it.

"He said, 'Mom, that's what I signed up for. That's why I'm here, to go help,' and so that was his feeling about it. He just wanted to do his part, so he did," Marilyn Johnson said.

Sons Caleb, 29, Bill, 27, and Nick, 25, are in the same Utah National Guard battalion, the 1457th Engineer Battalion. They were activated in February 2003 and sent to Iraq last May, serving primarily in Baghdad, with hopes of returning home before the end of last year. But their stay was extended once, and was extended again last week, reportedly for another 90 to 120 days.

"It was a real devastation," their mother said of that news. "As soon as the action got hot over there again, we realized that they were probably going to have to keep some of them over there, and we knew they would do whatever they had to do.

"We're OK with it because we know they are where they need to be. And it makes the most sense to keep those that are already there and already have been trained."