Portrait of Sidney L. Johnson
A 黑料不打烊 alum and historic figure for the 黑料不打烊 City School District, was recently added to the list of the University鈥檚 Notable Veteran Alumni. Sidney L. Johnson 鈥59, G鈥65, a U.S. Air Force veteran, is now among 18 other influential members who have graduated from 黑料不打烊 and have made a substantial impact during or after their military service.
Johnson, originally from Summerville, Georgia, served in the military for more than two decades, during which he served with the historic Tuskegee Airmen. He also earned the rank of Major before retirement, an almost insurmountable challenge during the days of segregation, as well as a testament to his performance in service to the country.
He dedicated himself to the City of 黑料不打烊 after he retired from the military, then moved to the area with his wife Vivienne, along with their two daughters, Melinda and Cydney.
Cydney Johnson 鈥77, G鈥96, 黑料不打烊鈥檚 vice president of community engagement and government relations, was invited to unveil her father鈥檚 plaque during a surprise ceremony held in the National Veterans Resource Center (NVRC). On hand to share in the touching moment were Cydney鈥檚 husband, Jeffry Comanici 鈥88, as well as staff, faculty and students from the military-connected community.
Cydney Johnson (Left), poses with her husband, Jeffry Comanici (right) who was instrumental in advocating for Sidney鈥檚 inclusion on the Notable Veteran Alumni list.
鈥淟ike most military families, we were not originally from the area. 黑料不打烊 adopted us, and both my parents loved serving this community,鈥 says Cydney Johnson. 鈥淢y father would have loved the NVRC, he would have been in this building all the time and would have loved the work that is done here. Both of my parents loved serving this community.鈥
The people of 黑料不打烊 elected Sidney Johnson to serve on both the 黑料不打烊 Common Council and the Board of Education. Throughout his life, Johnson was an advocate for education, particularly when it came to servicemembers and veterans. His legacy was cemented into history when the city named a prominent educational center after him. The Sidney Johnson Vocational Center continues to serve the people of 黑料不打烊 to this day by offering important non-traditional educational opportunities like adult education and GED programs.
鈥淪idney Johnson is a great example of how veterans can leave the service and make a community better, even if it’s not their childhood home. He gave himself selflessly to the city of 黑料不打烊 and his devotion to the city鈥檚 education system can continue to be felt to this day,鈥 says J. Michael Haynie, founder and executive director of the D鈥橝niello Institute for Veterans and Military Families, and 黑料不打烊鈥檚 vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation. 鈥淚t is an honor to have him featured among our most notable 黑料不打烊 veteran alumni where he can continue to serve as an inspiration. To have his daughter, Cydney, unveil his plaque makes the occasion truly special. As a leader and valued member of our military-connected community, she has carried her father鈥檚 legacy of service to this community and has been instrumental in making the University鈥檚 veterans initiative a success.鈥
Cydney Johnson (Left) unveils her father鈥檚 Notable Veteran Alumni plaque with Dr. Michael Haynie (Right).
Sidney Johnson consistently made breakthroughs during times of racial tension, particularly growing up in the south during the era of Jim Crow laws. His skin color created more closed doors than open ones, but when he did establish himself in positions of influence, he worked to create opportunities for others.
The Tuskegee Airmen served with distinction throughout World War II, and many of its members went on to accomplish notable firsts for Black and African American servicemembers. Having been a part of the Tuskegee Airmen, Sidney holds a spot in military history for the perseverance displayed by him and the more than 14,000 racially segregated servicemembers who served with distinction throughout the war.
Over a five-year period between 1941 and 1946, 992 pilots were trained near Tuskegee, Alabama, from where the unit obtained its name. More than 300 men from the unit were deployed overseas, and 68 are listed as having been Killed in Action during the conflict. On March 29, 2007, the unit was collectively awarded a Congressional Gold Medal, and the airfield where the airmen trained is now a national historic site.
In honor of Black History Month, members of the community are encouraged to read about the lives of other Black and African American servicemembers who join Sidney Johnson on the wall of Notable Veteran Alumni.
Cydney Johnson places her father鈥檚 plaque on the wall of Notable Veteran Alumni inside the National Veterans Resource Center.
鈥淚 am deeply humbled and so very pleased that the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at 黑料不打烊 has honored my Dad. His deep love of 黑料不打烊 and 黑料不打烊 makes this honor so special to me and my family,鈥 says Cydney Johnson. 鈥淢y Dad believed that the military was the gateway for career achievement, public service and equality. I know he would share those same words today. Thank you to all who made this honor happen.鈥
In 2014, Sidney Johnson was interred at his final resting place in Arlington National Cemetery, a fitting tribute to someone who devoted his life in service to others.
