POCATELLO — Jordan Johnson was only 17 years old when an elderly woman approached him at an airport and saw him in uniform.

”She looked me in the eye and told me she wanted to shake the hand of a hero,” Johnson told fellow service members at the Bannock County Veterans Memorial Association’s annual Veterans Day luncheon at its building on North Johnson Avenue Tuesday morning.

At the time, Johnson felt unworthy of being called a hero. But the encounter stayed with him throughout his 12 years of service in the Army National Guard, including a deployment to Iraq from 2004 to 2005.

”At that time I wanted to live up to that,” Johnson said. “Throughout my career that was always in my mind. That moment in a distant airport with a stranger I had never known, someone I would never meet again, settled on my heart.”

A Pocatello Police Department corporal, Johnson was the guest speaker for the event honoring local veterans. He also served as the grand marshal for Saturday’s fourth annual Pocatello Veterans Day parade, waving to onlookers from the Bannock County Sheriff’s Office armored Bearcat.

Johnson opened his remarks by thanking the veterans in attendance before discussing what the phrase “thank you for your service” means to him.

”Every time it is uttered we are reminded of the need for defenders for those to provide for the future,” Johnson said. “We’re also reminded at the same time of the sacrifice that comes with that service.”

Johnson achieved the rank of sergeant during his military service from 1999 to 2011. His deployment to Iraq created lasting connections.

”I formed many brotherhood bonds with people that will last forever,” Johnson said of his deployment.

When Johnson returned from Iraq, another encounter with strangers left an impression. At a Texas airport, a crowd had assembled to welcome returning service members.

”A group of strangers who I had never met and would never meet again had gathered to welcome us,” Johnson said. “They wanted to show their appreciation and gratitude.”

Among the crowd was a Vietnam War veteran who thanked Johnson for his service.

”I didn’t have the words to express to him how much I appreciated what he did,” Johnson said.

Johnson reflected on his military career as providing him with a brotherhood and accomplishments he could take pride in. It also allowed him to honor family members who served before him.

”I could look at people like my uncle, my grandfathers and others who served before me and in my small way give my service to thank them for what they had done,” Johnson said. “I had always looked up to them for what they had done.”

Since joining the Pocatello Police Department in 2006, Johnson has continued his service to the community. He worked primarily in patrol early in his career and has since served as a detective and school resource officer. He currently serves on the SWAT team, Honor Guard and as an arrest control techniques instructor.

During his Veterans Day remarks, Johnson said every service member makes sacrifices, entering potentially dangerous situations so others can continue living their lives safely.

”All that put on the uniform sacrifice in some way,” Johnson said. “Regardless of the time period they served, regardless of where they were called or where they weren’t called.”

Johnson concluded by expressing gratitude to the veterans for attending and said he felt humbled to speak to them on Veterans Day.

”Thank you for your service,” Johnson said.