“THE LEGACY CONTINUES” for West Point Cadet says Ira K. Murray Sr., the chairperson of the 38th annual R. E. J. Memorial Golf Tournament held on June 16th, 2024, at Baytree National Golf links in Melbourne Florida. This year event had 120 golfers along with volunteers and sponsors.
The scholarship is in honor of Reginald E. Johnson who was born in Landstuhl, Germany to Eugene C. and Iona A Johnson(deceased). Along with his parents and his little sister Regina, he grew up in Europe, Hawaii, Washington, DC, and Florida. Reggie started school at Holland Elementary School, attended Delaura Jr. High school, and graduated from Satellite High School in Satellite, Florida. He excelled in academics and was an outstanding athlete named 3 years consecutive to the Cape Coast Conference for football and track. His senior year he was senior class senator and vice president of the key club which entailed his traveling and speaking at different functions around Central Florida. All these accomplishments were responsible for his receiving nominations to the United States Air Force Academy and the United States Military Academy at West Point which he accepted.
While a cadet at West Point for four years he continued to stride for excellence, singing in the gospel choir, making the varsity football team as a running back his “plebe” (freshman) year plus running varsity track. His most notable achievement was breaking West Point long jump record of 32 years and setting his own.
Reginald died by drowning during the land navigation phase of the competition on April 11th, 1980, at West Point, New York just 21 days before graduation and having obtained a Special Forces assignment to Ft Benning Ga. In Reggie’s honor, West Point has established a memorial presentation, which is given each year at graduation, commencing in 1981. A marble bench has been placed along the bank of Hudson River, a mural painted on the wall has a portion dedicated to Reggie in the library at Grant Hall, Reggie’s name inscribed.
The R.E.J. Memorial Scholarship Foundation, Inc. was established by the Pride of Melbourne Masonic Lodge #318 in 1980 under the leadership of Brother Carl Finerson, Worshipful Master, with the consent of the Johnson family, The committee became incorporated in the State of Florida in December 1983 and the name changed to the Reginald E. Johnson Memorial Scholarship Foundation, Inc. In 1984. The golf tournament is one of the 3 major fund-raising events throughout the year by the foundation. The other 2 are the Taste of Brevard and the Annual Scholarship Banquet.
Reggie is gone but shall never be forgotten because he firmly planted his footprints into the sands of time, thus causing his memory to withstand eternity. The Legacy Continues as his sister Regina continues to play in the tournament each year and his father Eugene C. Johnson, better known as “Lightning Gene Johnson”, gives the opening remarks. The current president Marva A Murray is pleased that the foundation helps 20 plus students per year and stands by the foundation that “Helping deserving students is a gratifying experience”. Be forever thankful, be always and abundantly blessed. To date the foundation has awarded over 1000 scholarships and $4.5 million in total funds have been awarded.
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