Perdido Key, Fla. - Event organizers have decided to postpone the ceremony of the annual event honoring fallen Korean War Veteran, Army Private Rosamond Johnson. The ceremony will now take place at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, November 11th, 2020, on Rosamond Johnson Beach. The event will remain open to the public and will include keynote speaker, and wreath laying ceremony. The ceremony will resume is annual date of the first weekend in May in 2021.
“I am thankful to our partners at Escambia County and the Perdido Key Chamber for their thoughtful collaboration on how to honor Private Johnson this year in light of the current public health modifications," said Superintendent Dan Brown. “Veterans Day is not only an appropriate day to honor Private Johnson and his sacrifice, but also a fee free day at national parks and ensures that this event will remain free and open to the public."
Dana Pagador, President of the Perdido Chamber explains "Private Rosamond Johnson, Jr. story has been told in partnership by the Perdido Chamber, Gulf Islands National Seashore, and Escambia County Board of County Commissioners for many years and is a tradition that will continue for many years to come. Out of an abundance of caution, and consideration of the health and safety of our community members, we felt it necessary to continue honoring and remembering the sacrifice of his heroic actions but at a time where community members can do so safely and without risk."
After enlisting in the US Army at the age of 15, Private Rosamond Johnson, Jr. was killed in combat two years later during the Korean War. While engaged with the enemy, on July 26, 1950, Private Johnson carried two wounded soldiers to safety and was fatally wounded while going back to save a third. On Aug. 21, 1950, Private Johnson was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart for the wounds he sustained while saving his fellow soldiers.
In honor of his ultimate sacrifice, and in recognition as the first Escambia County resident to pass during the Korean War, the recreational area became known as Rosamond Johnson Beach. The area became a part of Gulf Islands National Seashore in 1971, and the name was retained. At the beach that bears his name a memorial is dedicated to Private Johnson’s sacrifice.
Rosamond Johnson Beach is located within the Perdido Key Area of Gulf Islands National Seashore. It is one of the most popular beach recreation areas of the seashore and is open daily from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. during the summer.
About Gulf Islands National Seashore: Created in 1971, the national seashore stretches 160 miles along the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico in Florida and Mississippi, and includes barrier islands, maritime forests, historic forts, bayous, and marine habitat. Visit us at www.nps.gov/guis, on Facebook www.facebook.com/GulfIslandsNPS, Twitter www.twitter.com/GulfIslands_NPS, and Instagram www.Instagram.com/GulfIslandsNPS.
About the Perdido Key Chamber of Commerce: The Perdido Key Area Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1985 for the purpose of providing assistance, enjoyment and improvement of its member’s common business interests in the promotion of the Perdido Key Area. From its beginning with 15 members, the chamber has grown in membership to more than 400 businesses, individuals and other organizations. Visit us at www.perdidochamber.com.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
