Marine Veteran TJ Johnston Finds Purpose Through Operation Patriots FOB
AFTER 21 YEARS IN THE MARINES, ONE VETERAN FOUND COMMUNITY, PURPOSE AND A WAY TO GIVE BACK
STORY BY BAILEY GILLIAM
When Thomas “TJ” Johnston Jr. moved to the Lowcountry with his wife, Catherine, and their daughters, Layla, Lily and Lexi, he found a new place to call home. What he hadn’t found was the sense of belonging that had surrounded him since he was 18. TJ joined the Marine Corps after watching the attacks of Sept. 11 unfold during his senior year of high school. For 21 years the military gave him friendships, structure, camaraderie and a shared mission. Retirement meant leaving more than a career.
“When you leave the military, you don’t just leave a job,” TJ says. “You leave a community that was a part of your life since you were 18 years old.”
He found a new one at Operation Patriots FOB. Located on 268 acres in Ridgeland, OPFOB is an outdoor retreat where veterans, active-duty military, first responders and their families can find camaraderie and purpose among people who understand the experiences of service. TJ and his family grew close with OPFOB founder JR Brown, his family and many of the veterans they met there.
“OPFOB welcomed me into a community that supported my family and me through some challenging times in my life,” TJ says.
It also opened a professional door. Brown introduced TJ to Justin Harvey, owner of Premier Exteriors, where TJ returned to an industry he had first learned from his father before joining the Marines.
“Premier Exteriors gave me an opportunity when I was establishing myself here,” TJ says. “I was able to learn, build relationships and better understand the construction industry in the Lowcountry.”
Eventually TJ and friend Malcolm Claxton started Craftsman’s Vault Construction. From the beginning they wanted giving back to be part of the business.
“There is always a reason to say you’ll give back later,” TJ says. “You can say you’ll do it when the company gets bigger or when you have more money or more time. Malcolm and I didn’t want to wait.”
Working with OPFOB, Craftsman’s Vault repaired and painted fellow veteran Gene Vagelatos’ home at no cost. For TJ the project represented something larger. Not long ago he was the newcomer who needed someone to open a door. Now he can do the same for others.
“People sometimes underestimate what a connection can mean to a veteran who is transitioning to a new place,” TJ says. “Someone introducing you to the right person or giving you an opportunity can completely change the direction you’re heading, and that is what happened for me.”
That experience continues to shape his next mission.
“OPFOB helped me find a community when I needed one,” TJ says. “Now I have an opportunity to help build that community for others and their families.”
Take Action: Support Operation Patriots FOB in Ridgeland
Operation Patriots FOB is a 268-acre outdoor retreat in Ridgeland serving veterans, active-duty military, first responders and their families. Support OPFOB by volunteering, donating or participating in its programs and events.
