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| Johnnie Daniel, Washington Parish, Louisiana, Citizen of the Year |
Years ago, I
wrote Their Adventurous Will: Profiles of
Memorable Louisiana Women, a book that highlighted the contributions women
have made to the culture and society of Louisiana, and a friend told me that I
should do a companion piece about memorable Louisiana men. I haven’t followed up
on that idea, but in the ensuing years since the remark was made, I've showcased some memorable men in my blogs. Last week, I learned that Johnnie
Daniel, my second cousin, who lives in Franklinton, Louisiana, was named “West
Washington Parish Citizen of the Year,” and I think that he’s a man who
deserves kudos for achieving this honor.
Twenty-nine
years ago, Johnnie, an outstanding athlete who excelled in his favorite sport,
baseball, slid into first base head first and broke two vertebrae, an accident
that left him paralyzed from the chest down. At a rehab center in Jackson,
Mississippi, Johnnie was told that his parents, Sara and John L., would never
be able to take him home and do the things that were needed for his health and
stability. However, his parents wouldn’t accept that verdict. Despite their own
health reverses at times, they’ve managed his health care with astonishing
results and encouraged him to become a contributing citizen in his home town.
Johnnie has the
Greenlaw penchant to write (our maternal ancestors), and for many years he has
written articles ranging from human interest stories to reports of Town Council
meetings for The Era Leader, his
hometown newspaper. He also managed the former family-owned business, Johnnie’s Sport Shop, and pursued his early interest in baseball by sponsoring a
youth league baseball team, a softball team, a boys’ all-star team and a girls’
all-star team. Johnnie became a regular at the baseball park where he cheered and
supported the teams that he sponsored instead of lamenting about his own
inability to play. From the photograph of Johnnie, readers can see that he’s an
avid LSU Tiger fan and often attends ballgames in a specially-equipped van
driven by his father. Once, when we were exchanging editorial comments about a
story, Johnnie had to stop our email exchange in midstream to watch an LSU
football game – the writing of his story was important, but his interest in athletics
is always paramount.
The natural
consequence of Johnnie’s work in the field of recreation was his interest in a
115-acre recreation complex that will provide a facility for young people and
adults in Washington Parish, Louisiana. Johnnie became chairman of the
Recreation District 1 board, and as Citizen of the Year, he was honored for
helping to develop public awareness of a recreational complex that has the
possibility of being a major economical boost to the town, as well as a major
improvement to the athletic facilities for youth and adults, according to Dennie
Fowler, Vice-Chairman of Recreation District l. The first phase of construction
of the complex should begin at year’s end or in early 2013. Johnnie has written
a series of articles lobbying for this development, has spoken in behalf of the
facility, and also uses the Internet to promote the project, typing with a
pencil strapped to his wrist.
During the years
since Johnnie’s accident, I’ve visited him in the home of his parents and
observed firsthand their tenacity as a family determined to move past an
unfortunate sports accident. Johnnie’s brother Mike has also been a member of
the supporting family team that encourages Johnnie’s vision to help young
people – there’re no whiners here, just a tightly-knit unit of forward-looking
people!
In addition to
Johnnie’s civic activities, he builds websites and spends time with his niece
Katelyn and nephew Jon Michael.
Regarding his Citizen
of the Year honor, Johnnie says “I was shocked…and I’m very humbled to receive
it.” I might add that Johnnie often says he’s blessed, and his wide smile underscores
his words!
