Our weekly series Remembering our Veterans continues with the story of Sam Johnson, a 30-year veteran of the U.S. Army.

His military career ended 11 years ago, but his mission to serve and help others has never hit a detour.

The West Point graduate decided in the late 1970s that his mission in life would be to serve his country.

"I always thought it was sort of my destiny to be in the military," said Sam. "I got to get up and put that uniform every morning, proudly. I got to look at it and say I'm doing something worthy. I'm proud of my service, and I think the best Americans serve. I'm proud of the veterans that are out there and we want to help them in anyway we can." 

He's helping by serving as the chairman of the board for the Pittsburgh Warriors Hockey Team, a squad made up of veterans in need after completing their tour of duty.

"We were tired of watching veterans get medicated, go sit on their couch, get lonely, get desperate, get depressed, and then get suicidal," said Sam. 

Since the Warriors program started in 2018, Johnson has watched veterans grow and manage their stress levels.

"We're about helping as many veterans we can, growth is a good problem to have for us," said Sam. "Every time we get a veteran on the ice, that's another veteran we know we're helping through movement. We truly say it's made an amazing difference. There's something about putting a veteran on skates, and watching them struggle how to figure out how to move in a different way, knowing that the brain is working through which muscle fibers to turn up and turn off. They're creating new pathways in the brain, which allows them to deal with their PTSD issues much better." 

Sam will be in Erie on July 23-24 for the inaugural Bay Frog Open. A two-day fundraiser that will benefit veterans, first responders, and their families by supporting the Uncommon Grit Foundation.

Former NHL stars will be on hand to participate in a charity hockey game and silent auction. There will also be a one-mile swim, taking place from Presque Isle to the Erie Yacht Club. For more information, check out BayFrogOpen.com.