On Stage in San Antonio, Texas performing "We Are America"
The Hoppers
with Congressman and Mrs. Sam Johnson
Congressman Johnson was honored at the Texas GOP Convention with the
Lifetime Achievement Award. A highly decorated pilot, Johnson served in
the
U. S. Air Force for 29 years. He flew combat missions in both the Korean
and
Vietnam Wars and while flying his 25th combat mission in 1966, he was
shot
down over North Vietnam. He spent nearly seven years as a prisoner of
war,
half of that time in solitary confinement. Congressman Johnson and his
wife,
Shirley, have a powerful Christian testimony - their story is told in
his
autobiography, Captive Warriors.
Staff Sgt. Eric Alva spoke at the convention. He was among the first casualties
of the War in Iraq. On March 21, 2003, while serving with the 3rd Battalion,
7th Marines, Alva stepped on a landmine. He broke his right arm, and his
right leg was damaged so badly it needed to be amputated. However, his
sufferings have not dampened his mind and spirit. Although before his
injuries, Alva was an avid skier, marathon runner, and scuba diver, Alva
is proud of his service, and told the delegates: "Not one day goes
by that I regret what I did. Of course my life will never be the same,
but I am blessed because I came home." He has been fitted with a
swimming leg and a running leg is being built for him – he’s
determined to run another marathon!
The Hoppers with David & Cheryl Barton backstage at the Texas Republican Convention in San Antonio. David is the Vice Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas, as well as founder and president of a national ministry called WallBuilders (www.wallbuilders.com).
