Wednesday, Jun. 03, 2009

Firefighter’s memory to be honored with run

ARCHER LODGE — When Andrew and Melissa Johnson got married, they didn’t give their guests keepsakes — like bubbles in bottles or birdseed in bags.

Instead, the couple donated money they would have spent on mementos to the N.C. Fallen Firefighters Fund.

“That was kind of the mentality Andrew had — helping other people,” Melissa Johnson said.

Andrew Johnson, a Raleigh firefighter and a captain in the Archer Lodge Volunteer Fire Department, died last December in an accident. He and a fellow firefighter were hunting near Archer Lodge, and as they were turning off Buffalo Road on their ATV, a vehicle struck them from behind. The other firefighter survived; Andrew died.

To honor his memory, Melissa is staging five-kilometer and one-mile runs in the Archer Lodge community, where the couple lived. The event will take place June 6 at the Archer Lodge Fire Department. Money raised will go to the Fallen Firefighters Fund, the same group the Johnsons helped when they got married. Money will also go to the Raleigh Firefighter Relief Fund and to a training center for the Archer Lodge Fire Department. That training center will be called the Andrew Johnson Training Grounds.

In Archer Lodge, Andrew Johnson liked to help out the less-experienced firefighters, said Brian Bunn, Andrew’s cousin and a captain with the department. Johnston County’s only fire-training center is at Johnston Community College. It’s only fitting that a new training center in Archer Lodge be named after Andrew, Bunn said.

And while the money will go to groups Andrew Johnson cared about, the event has special meaning for his wife. Melissa and Andrew used to run together to stay in shape.

The couple met as students at Enloe High School in Raleigh. Melissa ran cross country; Andrew played varsity baseball. Melissa went on to earn a degree from N.C. State University, and she now works as an engineer. Andrew was working toward a degree in fire science from Coastal Carolina University.

After they got married, the Johnsons started their life together in Archer Lodge, living near Andrew’s cousin, Bunn. Andrew was active in Powhatan Baptist Church.

Melissa still runs. Sometimes Bunn goes with her, along with his wife and kids.

“I lost my best friend,” Melissa said. “He was my future.” Melissa hopes the race in Archer Lodge will become a yearly event. “Keeping his memory alive is really my focus,” she said.

Registration for the races will be from 5 p.m. till 8 p.m. Friday or before the events Saturday. The one-mile run, which costs $10 to enter, will begin at 8:30 a.m. Saturday; the 5K race, which costs $25, will start at 9.

For more information, or to register online, go to www.aj5k.com.