PERSONAL PUBLICATIONS
Adirondack Cabin Stories:Fifty Years in the Wilderness - 1960-2009
Copyright © John Henningson
September 11, 2009
All Rights Reserved
ISBN: 9780983957911
Library of Congress Control Number: 201 1917961
PREFACE
This is a book of short stories based on the experiences of the Henningson family and a group of friends who have worked, fished, skied, snow shoed and hunted together on the edge of the Siamese Ponds Wilderness Area in the Northwest Corner of Warren County, New York for over 50 years. The events took place between 1960 and 2009.
Many of these stories are about hunting white-tailed deer in the wilderness. To be successful, hunters under these conditions need to develop a broad array of skills and become comfortable with the habitat. For the main characters in these stories, the Henningson brothers Peter, Art and John, hunting wasn’t just sport. Rather it reflected a complex set of values developed over time and nurtured by our father, Arthur Senior. In fact, Art, John, Sister Judy and their “adopted” sibling, Jim all attended the New York State College of Forestry at Syracuse University. There, we learned the ecological foundations of modern, science based, wildlife and forest management practices. Consequently, our ingrained values were further buttressed by our professional training. In addition, the camp and associated outdoor activities became a unifying factor in times of stress or family turmoil. The wilderness was a balm to sooth the angst of modern day life.
However, beneath all this, is a love story about our love of a wild unspoiled wilderness and those who share that affection with us.
This book is dedicated to Art and Marjorie who gave us a set of values to support us in difficult and troubled times, a deep and abiding sense of family love that transcended sibling rivalry and a place in the wilderness.
I would like to express great appreciation to my siblings and friends who have shared their experiences and written portions of the book. Further, the book is greatly enhanced by Brother Arthur’s illustrations. Finally, I want to thank my sister Judith for taking on the tedious job of reformatting and editing this conglomeration of thoughts and memories.
A Reluctant Warrior: 1968-1974 - A Vietnam Veterans Memoir
Copyright © John Henningson
September 12, 2012
All Rights Reserved
ISBN: 978-0-9839579-0-4
Library of Cionbgress Control Number: 1-821750741
PREFACE
This is a memoir about my experiences in the US Army from my enlistment in 1968 to my final discharge from the inactive reserve in 1974. Between 1970 and 1971, I spent 10 months in Vietnam.
Although I was commissioned a Field Artillery Officer, I spent most of my time in Vietnam with the infantry. One of my first assignments was the artillery forward observer (FO) with Bravo Company1st of the 52nd Infantry Regiment. Later I served as the battalion artillery liaison officer (LNO) with the 2nd Battalion 1st Infantry. Both units were embedded in the “Americal“, 23rd Infantry Division.My tour carried me throughout I Corps in northern South Vietnam from the foothills west of the Batangan Peninsula in Quang Ngai Province to Khe Sahn along the DMZ in Quang Tri Province. Whenever possible I have given the grid coordinates for specific locations (ie.YT abc xyz). Further, I have illustrated the stories with sketches and included maps, photographs and glossaries in the Appendices to give greater meaning to the text.Although the stories are true, my memory has faded regarding some of the details. It is difficult to be precise about names, dates and locations. As time passes, events may tend to get warped or embellished in one’s mind. I suspect that this is common with war stories.
Some who have made a career of military service may find my description of military life irreverent. I mean no offense and have nothing but the greatest respect for those who choose the military as a career. They are more able to deal with the rigidity and impersonal aspects of that calling than I was capable of. However, I remain seriously concerned about the power of the military-industrial complex using overseas interventions to support the commercialization of the military.
Certain events are painful to recall. However, I believe that my experiences, although not unique, should not be forgotten or left unrecorded. Hopefully they may help others find meaning in their experiences and give pause to those who send soldiers into harm’s way.
I have compiled these memories in honor of those colleagues, brothers-in-arms, who were less fortunate than I am and paid the ultimate sacrifice or are still suffering from their physical or mental wounds. In this I include my son Bill who survived the attacks on 9/11 and yet soldiers on with his own “battle scars”.
WHERE THE FLOWERS WENT
In
Poetry and Pictures
Copyright © John Henningson
June 1, 2015
All rights reserved
ISBN: 978-0-9839579-2-8
Library of Congress Control Number: 1-2434949991
Preface
Previously I have written two memoirs, one about my family’s Camp in the Adirondack Mountains of NY and the second about my experiences in the Army. As a result, I have learned the value of writing as therapy. I suspect that reading and reflecting on the meaning or feelings behind the actual text may also be therapeutic to the reader. Similarly, I have found that creating poetry is not only more creative but also more expressive than prose.
This short volume builds on the prose in my second memoir, ”A Reluctant Warrior – 1968 t0 1971”, which chronicled my service as an Army Artillery officer including a tour in I Corps in Vietnam. The intent is to go beyond the direct recitation of events but rather to express how those events or experiences affected me then and continue to affect my thinking and feelings today.
It is my hope that this book of poetry and related art will help others to better understand the experiences of combat veterans or others that may suffer from similar trauma. Further I hope that it may encourage others to become direct advocates for veteran rehabilitation programs and to provide the resources necessary to restore the self-esteem and productivity these heroes deserve.
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