Johnny “Joey” Jones, a retired U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sergeant, stands as a powerful symbol of sacrifice, resilience, and unwavering dedication to the freedoms that define America. As a combat-wounded veteran who lost both legs above the knees and sustained severe injuries to his forearms during a 2010 deployment in Afghanistan, Joey’s story is one of profound bravery and selflessness. His journey—from the battlefields of war to becoming a Fox News contributor, motivational speaker, and advocate for veterans—has inspired countless individuals. Yet, amidst the gratitude for his service, there is a lingering sentiment of regret: an apology to those who fail to appreciate the depth of sacrifice made by men like Joey, and a reflection on whether society truly deserves the heroes who defend its liberties.

Joey’s military career began after high school in Dalton, Georgia, inspired by the career military fathers of his best friends, Chris and Keith. Enlisting in the Marine Corps, he served for eight years, with deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan. As an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technician, Joey’s role was to locate and disarm improvised explosive devices (IEDs)—a job that required precision and immense courage. It was during “Operation Roadhouse 2” in August 2010, while clearing a bazaar in Safar, Helmand Province, that Joey’s life changed forever. After disarming over 50 IEDs in the days prior, he stepped on an undetected device, triggering an explosion that cost him his legs and left his forearms severely injured. Two of his teammates were also wounded, with one, Cpl. Daniel Greer, losing his life. Joey was airlifted to a hospital in Germany and later transferred to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Washington, D.C., where he began a long and arduous recovery.

The physical toll of Joey’s injuries was immense, but his spirit remained unbroken. Reflecting on his survival, Joey has often shared that seeing his own body after the explosion—and realizing he was still alive—gave him a profound sense of gratitude. In a 2015 interview, he noted that in war, death is a constant presence, and surviving such a catastrophic event shifted his perspective on life. His recovery was fueled by a desire to inspire others, particularly fellow wounded veterans. Joey has spoken about how visiting other injured soldiers in the hospital kept him accountable, pushing him to attend therapy daily and master his prosthetics. His resilience earned him a lifetime membership to the NRA as a Purple Heart recipient, a recognition of his sacrifice for the nation.

Beyond his physical recovery, Joey has dedicated his life to advocacy, ensuring that the sacrifices of veterans are neither forgotten nor taken for granted. As a Fox News contributor and host on FOX Nation, he uses his platform to share stories of service and to remind Americans of the cost of their freedoms. In a 2019 reflection on Boot Campaign’s 10-year anniversary, Joey emphasized the importance of celebrating patriotism while supporting military families, a mission he has championed since his early days of recovery. He has also been vocal about the need for civilians to live lives worthy of the sacrifices made by veterans, a sentiment he reiterated in a 2020 post on X, where he stated, “I work my ass off for this country… I didn’t fight two wars and lose two legs, to be told I can’t spend time with my family.” His words are a powerful reminder of the personal cost of freedom—a cost that Joey and countless others have paid.

The freedoms Americans enjoy today—freedom of speech, freedom of the press, the right to assemble—are not abstract concepts but hard-earned privileges secured through the sacrifices of veterans like Joey. As one memorial website honoring fallen soldiers notes, “It was the veteran, not the reporter, who gave us freedom of the press… It was the veteran who saluted the U.S. flag in times of conflict, who served beneath the flag and whose coffin is draped by the flag.” Joey’s service embodies this truth. His injuries are a testament to the lengths he went to ensure that future generations could live in a nation where these rights are protected. Yet, despite his contributions, there is a growing sense of frustration among veterans and their supporters that not all Americans fully grasp the magnitude of this sacrifice.

This frustration is palpable in the sentiment expressed by many who admire Joey: a heartfelt thank you for all he has done, coupled with an apology to those who are incapable of appreciating or undeserving of the men and women who defend their freedoms. In posts on X, supporters have voiced their gratitude and admiration for Joey, with one user in 2020 writing, “Thank you for serving our nation, Joey, and for sacrificing your well-being for our benefit. I am so grateful for freedom.” Another, in 2021, called Joey a “brave, courageous American hero,” noting that his sacrifices bring “tears to my eyes, a lump in my throat.” These messages reflect a deep appreciation for Joey’s service, but they also hint at a broader concern: that society often fails to honor veterans in meaningful ways beyond symbolic gestures on Veterans Day or Memorial Day.

The apology to those “incapable of being and undeserving” of men like Joey stems from a recognition of societal shortcomings. Too often, veterans return home to face indifference, inadequate support systems, or even outright hostility. Joey himself has addressed this in his advocacy work, urging Americans to “be a population worth serving.” In a 2023 interview with U.S. Veterans Magazine, he stated, “I want to serve a population that gets up in the morning and works as hard as I did to serve it. That’s all I want from it.” His words challenge civilians to live with the same sense of duty and responsibility that veterans exhibit in their service. The sentiment of being “undeserving” arises when society takes its freedoms for granted—when people fail to vote, neglect community responsibilities, or dismiss the struggles of veterans transitioning to civilian life.

Joey’s story also highlights the personal toll of service, a toll that many civilians may never fully understand. In a 2019 Fox News article, he reflected on the losses he has endured—not just his legs, but dozens of friends, as well as his father, who passed away from a heart attack in 2018. Despite these hardships, Joey remains thankful for America, a nation he describes as worth fighting for. His gratitude is a stark contrast to the apathy or divisiveness that sometimes pervades society, as seen in debates over national pride or policies affecting veterans. In a 2022 Fox News segment, Joey reacted to a poll showing declining national pride, urging Americans to remember why freedom matters and to live lives that honor the sacrifices made to secure it.

The call to action implicit in Joey’s story is clear: Americans must strive to be a population worthy of the sacrifices made by veterans. This means more than just saying “thank you” on holidays—it means advocating for better veterans’ services, supporting organizations like Boot Campaign that aid military families, and living with a sense of gratitude and responsibility every day. It also means acknowledging the failures of those who are “incapable” of appreciating these sacrifices—whether due to ignorance, indifference, or a lack of empathy—and working to bridge that gap through education and dialogue.

Johnny Joey Jones is a living testament to the cost of freedom, a man who has given more than most can imagine to protect the liberties we often take for granted. His sacrifice—his legs, his comfort, his friends—has ensured that Americans can live in a nation where they are free to speak, worship, and assemble. To Joey, we owe a heartfelt thank you for all he is and all he has sacrificed. But to those who fail to recognize the depth of his service, who are incapable of honoring the men and women who defend their freedoms, there is an apology: a regret that not everyone can rise to the level of gratitude and responsibility that heroes like Joey deserve. As we move forward, let us commit to being a nation that truly deserves its veterans—one that honors their sacrifices not just in words, but in actions, every single day.