The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
General Wilson returns to his park
Advocates for adults to help youths succeed
Lorain’s youths will have many chances to succeed in life, and the city’s adults must do what they can to help them, said a native son who grew up to become a leader in the armed forces.
Retired Army Gen. Johnnie E. Wilson, 73, a 1961 graduate of Lorain High School, and his wife, Helen, returned to his hometown for the June 3 celebration of the 25th anniversary of the city park dedicated to him.
In a mixture of memory of the past and optimism for the future, Wilson said the park, Fulton Homes, Mount Zion Baptist Church and a number of South Lorain adults, all contributed to his achievements.
Recalling his youth in South Lorain, Wilson noted he and children then would listen to the neighborhood adults — and face punishment at home if they ignored the discipline down the street.
Residents have lost some of that around America, “so we have some work to do,” Wilson said.
It seems like a short time since
the park dedication in 1992, Wilson said. His name adorns the water tower visible from anywhere in the park.
“And since then, I have always hoped that the young people who live in this area, and play here in this park, would look up at that tower, and in some small way, be inspired to be the best that they can be,” Wilson said.
In the ceremony, the Rev. Dr. Shirley Howard read “A Living Legend,” a poem she composed about Wilson.
Quoting another of her poems, “Living Legend in You,” Wilson urged the young people to remember Howard’s words: “Never give up or give in; and you will discover that in this life, you can win.”
But those young people can’t succeed alone, Wilson said.
“It will take the collective efforts of all of us adults to provide the necessary support, and believe me, it does take a village to raise a child,” Wilson said.
Young people had their chances to participate.
The Lorain High School Army Junior ROTC Color Guard, made up of students Matt Gannon, Sandro Marrero, Alyssa Hall and Sam Dandrea, presented the colors. Mia Hilko, a student of General Johnnie Wilson Middle School, led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Lorain County Raging Raptors Youth Football and Cheer Team, for boys and girls ages 5 to 11, uses the park for their home field, so the team had players present flowers to Helen Wilson. Her husband said he never saw them play, but he heard they could beat the Cleveland Browns, prompting laughs and applause from the crowd.
“We know he loves kids, we know that he loves the community,” said Evelisse Atkinson, president of the Raging Raptors football group. “We just wanted to be here to let him know that we’re doing our best to pay it forward and take care of his park.”
The youths took their turns with presentations by Lorain Mayor Chase Ritenauer, Ward 5 Councilwoman JoAnn Moon and representatives from Sen. Sherrod Brown and Marcy Kaptur. The Body of Christ Choir sang the National Anthem and Pastor Donald Young of Mount Zion Baptist Church said the opening prayer.
In the picnic that followed the rededication, Wilson was joined by five of his 11 siblings.
Thomas Wilson III, of Lorain, manned the grill to cook hamburgers and hot dogs. Brothers Paul Wilson, of Lorain, Gene Wilson, of Atlanta, and Craig Wilson, of Euclid, and their sister, Deborah Wilson-McLilly, of Lorain, mingled and made the crowd feel like everyone was an honorary Wilson.
Wilson left the podium to shake hands with Mollie Little, who turns 90 today, and he gave shout out to Callie Gibson, 93. The women both knew Wilson from his boyhood days.
“It shocked me. I haven’t seen him in … Oh, Lord have mercy,” Little said afterward.
“I think he’s making wonderful progress,” Gibson said. “We’re so proud of him and the wonderful progress in his life.”
Karen B. Wootten, 70, brought a scrapbook of photos and newspaper clippings about Lorain, including Wilson. She asked Wilson to sign it, and he did, just below where he signed the book in 1992.
“It’s just terrific,” she said. “I just love when he comes to town, because everybody gets together and they have a good time, laughing and talking and reminiscing.”