A note from Lynnie

This is what is in the Alumni Newsletter:

"In anticipation, the Bay village Historical Society has committed to taking on the project of replacing the existing cupola with the replica of the original to go on top of the Community House in Cahoon Memorial Park. A brief history of the Community  House:  It began as the Cahoon Barn, then it became the city's fire department, and now it is the meeting place for many organizational  activities.  The cupola was damaged by lightning in the 1930's and had to be replaced.  This building is on the National Historical Registry.  Because of its significant history and wonderful location, right next to Rose Hill, and on Cahoon  land, the Historical society would like to  illuminate this new cupola so it can become Bay's landmark and seen from afar. "

Donations to the Cupola Fund should be made payable  to "Bay Village Historical Society Cupola Fund".  Bay Village will be celebrating their 200th year anniversary in 2010, and this is part of preserving our history.  Include your name and address for receipt and mail to

The Bay Village Historical Society,

P. O. Box 40187,

Bay Village, OH 44140.  

Mention that the donation is in Memory of our classmate, Kenny  Henninger,

Class of 1965.

 

Hi--voices from the past.  Hope you are doing well in addition to all the

updates we receive from the monthly newsletter.  Keep up the great work for

keeping our class together.

Anyhow, I was reading the new Shoreline newsletter and saw the request for

funds to replace the cupola at the community house and thought that it

might be a good idea that if anyone in our class wanted to contribute to

the fund, that we might consider a memorial contribution in the name of Ken

Henninger.  I believe that Ken was our only classmate killed in Viet Nam

and probably our only classmate killed while on active duty since 1965.

Regardless of our individual feelings on that war, or any war since, Ken

was a classmate and gave his life for our country.  Many of us had college

deferments and were able to avoid military service at that time.

Tom Lindstom

Lynnie,

It was great to read of Tom Lindstrom's idea to donate to the cupola fund in Kenny Henninger’s name.  I have sent my donation and am happy to participate.  Just one correction though, Kenny was Kenton Elwood Henninger, not Kenneth.

I fondly remember a time when Kenny, Gary Fell and I stayed out all night at the far end of the Henninger’s  expansive backyard (next to the railroad tracks).  We had just turned 16 (we were three of the youngest in our class) and decided it was time to enjoy adult beverages in significant quantities.  The 3 of us felt awful the next day but it was one of those threshold moments that is forever seared in my memory!

A more sobering thought is that after college and about a year after Kenny’s death, I was sent to Vietnam and served my combat tour in the same area of operation as the 4th Infantry Division (Kenny’s unit).  I recall that when going out on operations, I sometimes felt a closeness to where he last walked in a hostile and deadly place very far from home.  At times, over the years, I have left a short note to him (and others) on the Vietnam Wall website and, during a personal visit to the wall, took a rubbing of his name as a final reminder.  Kenny and I were friends – not best friends, just friends.  But I always felt a responsibility to think of him from time to time and to honor him in small ways.  I remember Kenny as an incredibly genuine, friendly and humble person who died performing a selfless act of courage.  I think the cupola remembrance is a great tribute to a young man who never had the opportunity to grow old with the rest of us.  A special thank you to you for organizing this thoughtful gesture and for all you do for the members of the class of ’65.

Fondly,

Jack Kostak

Hi Lynnie:

 

I will definately be sending a donation in Ken's memory. I,too, am an ex Vietnam veteran and am receiving assistance from the Cleveland Veterans Administration Hospital . I have been to the Wall and rubbed Kenny's name along with others that I knew. It is truly a moving experience and one that I will never forget.

 

I have also visited Kenny's grave many times. He is buried at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery in North Olmstead. There is also a Vietnam web page on US MIlitary.com which has a section pertaining to the Wall. I looked up Kenny and wrote a short note to him.

 

This is an excellent idea to give this in memory of a man who gave his life for his country.

 

Hugs to you,

 

Dick Hauzer

Lynnie, this is special beyond words. It is sometimes very difficult to put into words how much a person like Kenny meant to so many people. He was a true friend to each and every person he touched in his short life. I (and many of Kenny’s friends) have many fond memories of our high school days…he was such a big part of that time in our lives.

Again, a deep and sincere thanks for being the catalyst behind this wonderful tribute. The website is truly exceptional.

Take care.

Bob Hasselo 9-11-09

 

 

Payable to:  Bay Village Historical Society Cupola Fund

P.O. Box 40187

Bay Village, Oh 44140

Let us not forget Sergeant Kenton Elwood Henninger, casualty of the Vietnam War. As a member of the Army Selective Service, SGT Henninger served our country until March 7th, 1969 in Binh Dinh, South Vietnam. He was 21 years old and was not married. Kenton died from small arms fire/grenade. His body was recovered. Kenton was born on September 19th, 1947 in North Olmsted, Ohio.

SGT Henninger is on panel 30W, line 063 of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. He served our country for one year.

Bill Papenbrok setting up Kenny’s memorial

Jody Krueger , Bob Lucas, Kenny’s Cousin

Bill, and Dick Hauzer at work on the July ceremony