Dennis Johnson
U.S. Army, Vietnam
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Dennis Johnson volunteered for the draft at the age of 20. Originally, he hoped to join a childhood friend who was in the Marines, but instead joined a separate branch—the Army.
He was deployed to Vietnam in August of 1968 and returned in September of 1969.
When he got home, Johnson struggled with drugs and alcohol as he attempted to leave his war experiences behind him. His struggle affected all parts of his life, contributing to two failed marriages, and damaged relationships with his six children.
In recent years, Johnson says, he has come to terms with his time in Vietnam by becoming politically active against war, and by volunteering to help other veterans.
Most recently, he has become a major advocate in Milwaukee for homeless veterans, leading outreach efforts, raising money, founding shelters, and connecting veterans with help.
Dennis Johnson lives with a ghost from his Vietnam past.
Dennis Johnson's former brother-in-law, Frank Platt, suffers from post-traumatic stress. The unemployed Vietnam War veteran keeps his shades drawn and his bedroom windows covered with cardboard. Platt was trained as a medic during the war despite being unable to stand the sight of blood.
Dennis Johnson collects donations for his Homeless Veteran Initiative of the Milwaukee chapter of the Veterans for Peace, which he helped start in 2008. Johnson helps connect veterans to social services.
The Moving Wall, a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., is displayed outside Lambeau Field in Green Bay. A welcome home ceremony for Wisconsin Vietnam Veterans was held in May next to the Green Bay Packers' stadium.
A warehouse in Milwaukee where homeless veterans often stay. The Homeless Veteran Initiative has opened three homeless shelters in Milwaukee. Johnson and others look for veterans spending the night in parks, abandoned buildings, underpasses and streets.
Eight veterans were sleeping in the warehouse during a morning visit by Dennis Johnson early this year.
Dennis Johnson looks for homeless veterans. He assists them in getting benefits and finding some a place to live. "I've tried to make amends," he said.
