Councilor Lydia Edwards and the City Council voted unanimously Feb. 12 on a resolution that starts the process of getting her name placed at the memorial for her son, Edward, who was killed in Vietnam and remembered with a hero square in Charlestown.
The new resolution by Councilor Edwards honors Florence Johnson for her service to the National and Gold Start families. A veteran from World War II, she was also a tremendous advocate for Gold Star families following the death of her son, Edward Johnson, during Vietnam in 1967. He was killed in action during his service.
Florence Johnson died in 2014, and was honored after her death by many from Charlestown and across the nation.
“This resolution starts the process to allow her to permanently join her son and place a memory in her name under her son’s Hero Square sign in Charlestown,” said Councilor Edwards. “It’s a small token of appreciation for Flo Johnson for everything she did for veterans and Gold Star families throughout her life. It’s important that we recognize all of our veterans, especially the women who joined in 1944.” According to Edwards, Johnson dedicated her life to veterans and Gold Star families after the death of Edward Johnson, holding roles such as the President of the Massachusetts and Rhode Island Gold Star Mothers, membership in the Abraham Lincoln Post #11 G.A.R. of Charlestown, Past Commander of American Legion Bunker Hill Post #26 of Charlestown, and Honor Society of Women Legion 20-4.