Joey Lenz Memorial Highway Dedicated in Willis

WILLIS, TX -- Margie Taylor’s mission to honor her son’s legacy is half-way done. United States Army Specialist Joey Lenz’s death in early February 2022, a result of a medical camouflage on the part of the U.S. Army Medical Corp at Fort Hood, Texas, could have been prevented had health safeguards been in place for soldiers. Following her grief, Margie jumped into action in several ways, with an effort to enact federal legislation as a part of Joey’s legacy, to protect warfighters' health yearly with annual check-ups, as a way to determine significant changes to their baseline physical results that service members undertake in their initial entry into their service branch. Taylor also wished to recognize Lenz, a Willis High School graduate, for his sacrifice with a piece of FM 1097 from I-45 in Willis to Lake Conroe to be dedicated as the ‘Army Specialist Joey Lenz Memorial Highway.’ This past Friday, Taylor scratched the road project from her list, as numerous Montgomery County Elected Officials and Dignitaries, and supporters of Our Nations military showed their support for Taylor, and her son’s legacy at Entergy’s Lewis Creek campground in Willis, to unveil a road sign in his honor, in the first public event held at the facility in many years.

Following the posting of the colors by the Sons of the American Revolution (Revolutionary Education), the National Anthem sung by Debbie Glenn-Cross, the Pledge of Allegiance and the Texas Pledge led by St. Rep. Will Metcalf, Army Veteran Cory Strouth played Taps in Remembrance of Specialist Lenz, to honor his sacrifice to Our Nation, and his untimely death that is destined to save lives in the future for those who serve in the Armed Forces.

County Judge Mark Keough served as Master of Ceremonies for the event, introducing officials from the federal, state, and local levels, as well as first responders. Keough also thanked Entergy for providing their campground and reservoir for the event, which was a very pleasant setting with the trees and water in the background, and of course the weather played its part in the early morning Sun. The Judge praised Taylor for her passion in her unexpected cause thrust upon her, and its impact on those who serve actively in maintaining America’s strength around The World. He recognized all Veterans in the attendees and asked them to stand.

State Representative Will Metcalf praised Margie’s bravado for her fireball spirit in making things happen in regards to the highway memorial, while Commissioner Precinct 1, Robert Walker’s sign shop was happy to do their part in taking the state’s legislation to fruition in the actual creation of the roadside markers that were unveiled on FM 1097 in Lenz’s honor. A duplicate sign was made for Margie and her husband Jeff Taylor, and while Walker requested a smaller keepsake for the couple, the sign shop did a Texas small replica, the same exact size as the roadside markers.

In Washington, Taylor was even more aggressive in pressing the congressional flesh to make a real effort for trackable military healthcare. The Joey Lenz Act of 2025, introduced by Congressman Morgan Luttrell, for medical conditions that present themselves to our warfighters while still in uniform, and although the legislation is still in the works, confidence is high that the bill will be passed and signed into Law in the future. Of course, with Margie’s tenacity it's just a matter of time. Holly Arbuckle from Luttrell’s office, and R.W. Bray, representing Senator Ted Cruz, each spoke fondly in working with Taylor, and relaying their efforts in getting the bill moving through the halls.

Judge Keough introduced Margie, sharing her impressive resume for career and causes she cares about. Taylor immediately turned to her husband Jeff, and identified him as a rock in her life, noting that he keeps her in line and on mission in all of her efforts.

“Protect, Prevent, Honor, Serve. That’s the promise our soldiers live by, but when I tell you this story, you will see the truth,” said Taylor. “They protect us, but who protects them?”

Margie read a narrative she created about Joey, and the struggles he endured in his final days at Fort Hood, suffering from a hidden illness that would eventually take his life. The gut wrenching story is one of an oversized heart, two to three times its normal size for a man, and very elevated Tricomin levels, indicative of possible NSTEMI heart attack(s), the case where the coronary artery is not totally blocked. Eleven months prior to his passing, Lenz was in the base hospital diagnosed with heart issues he remained unaware of, but at the same time was prescribed anti-anxiety medications, contraindicated to those with conditions involving the heart.

Joey was just 32 years old in 2022. He was a big believer in kindness, helping anyone who needed assistance. He was a Christian, unashamed of his purpose, giving of his fellow soldiers who maintained families. Joey’s favorite band, Blink 182, helped him as a calming influence, as is music’s purpose. Taylor relived the horror of the day in February 2022, with Margie in The Woodlands at an event, having received a call from a neighbor reporting Army soldiers at her residence.

“I rushed back home knowing that there was only one reason to have soldiers at my house,” said Taylor, relaying that she had spoken to Joey the previous evening at 9:30pm. “He told me he was going to bed because he had to be up at 0300 hrs for duty at the motorpool.”

Taylor was reassured she would be called by her Son the next day. The call never came. In a frantic call from her oldest son, he said, “Mom … Joey died.” Her pastor was called, and when arriving at her residence, two Army soldiers said to her, “We regret to inform you Ma’am, that Specialist Joey Lenz will not be coming home.”

It’s a horrifying moment for any Mother to be told that the boy she raised, the man he had become, her son, a beloved piece of her life, his life, as precious as it is, had just been snuffed out. Taylor spoke boldly of her Son, proudly proclaiming his ups and downs, victories and defeats, still fighting for him in death, with a Mother’s spirit to uncover the truth of the story of his passing, not convinced in the Army’s story in their explanation of the event.

It took four months for Taylor to receive the autopsy report on Specialist Lenz, which was available only a week following his death. In sifting through his medical records she uncovered evidence of the issues with his heart, of which he remained oblivious. The medications prescribed were detrimental to his condition, and the lack of testing and care were all factors leading to his death. The real tragedy was the Army’s insistence in avoiding the truth of Specialist Lenz’s death. Margie was later told by soldiers who knew Joey that the Army’s Criminal Investigation Division (CID) informed his unit's soldiers to remain quiet about his death. In addition, the run-around that the Army gave Taylor just to prove she was Joey’s Mother was a hassle, as well as requesting his medical records, which had to go through the court of Judge Claudia Laird in Conroe; where again she had to prove she was Specialist Lenz’s Mom.

Now, years after Joey’s death, Margie still hears lies, and attacks on her, and her son’s character; but her mission to honor her son’s memory remains firm. Taylor is driven, and her goal will not be denied. She is not only fighting for justice for Joey, but for thousands of other service members, who later developed unknown sicknesses or cancers. And if it were annual physicals and EKGs, medical records taken throughout their service terms, future options for treatment of medical issues can be taken much earlier thus preventing much less pain and discomfort for seasoned warfighters or Veterans.

“I am proud of my Son,” said Taylor as she concluded her speech. “I just hope he is proud of me.”