In honor of our departed classmates several visits to sites at Arlington, West Point and across the nation.
See images and a video of the visits at sites outside of Arlington and West Point at:
video – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTxlfR0j7xg
images – http://www.west-point.org/class/usma1964/fallenclassmates/graveside%20visits2/
See the video of members of the various Academy Glee Clubs perform in memory of our
classmates resting at West Point at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gtkjWS_au0
Next year is the 50th anniversary of
our Plebe March Back. It is our turn
to join the incoming plebes as they
march back to the barracks. The
event will probably begin on
Monday, August 9, 2010.
See Bob Weathers messsage at:
www.west-point.org/class/usma1964/plebehike.htm
“First Posting” is the story of a “soldier’s wife”. The story shares the intimacy and emotions of a woman, Sarah Holloway Johnson, transported from the comforts of suburban Boston and a growing social standing through the emptiness of separations and frequent anxieties to solving the challenges of molding a life in an unknown milieu of customs, culture, expectations and limited rewards. While Sarah’s story begins in the 1890’s, her story continues in the lives of today’s “soldiers’ wives”. Sarah had no intention of marrying a soldier. She had no intention of living in a house without an indoor toilet. She was accustomed to the helping hands of maids and servants. She had unlimited opportunities. But a chance encounter at a Saint Patrick’s Day Charity Ball in New York City changed her life. The story pulls on the emotions of its readers. Sarah falls in-love with West Point Cadet Jonathan Johnston who is about to become Lieutenant Johnston. She is bright, attractive and one of Wellesley’s first female graduates, They agree to marry, but her father, a successful Boston Lawyer resists and gives a reluctant approval only when he learns that a marriage would be delayed at least a year while Jonathan goes West for “Indian Duty”. Her father believes that she will find a more suitable husband during this time and his reluctance will be resolved. But Sarah prevails. The two eventually marry, and she, leaving family and friends behind, travels west, alone, with all of her possessions packed in two trunks and a suitcase. Sarah is warmly welcomed at Fort Riley and is determined to succeed. But the summer’s blistering heat and the winter’s frigid storms, the modest accommodations, and the structured social settings are challenges. Soon after arrival, opportunity knocks. The local school does not have a qualified teacher. She cannot be paid because there is no money. But, with the help of volunteer assistants, the school prospers, and Sarah becomes an informal community leader within the very formal and structured Fort Riley community. While the school and community satisfy emotional and intellectual needs, Sarah remains focused on her growing family, which soon includes two sons as well as a husband. But, as she grows comfortable with this balance in her life, events happen. An epidemic of Scarlet Fever threatens all of the Fort’s children including Sarah’s, and the 1893 financial crisis not only destroys much of her father’s net worth, it also impacts on the post and local community. She weather’s these storms as a heroine, and normalcy returns for her. But, regrettably, as her life settles back into a comfortable cadence with increasing responsibilities – including children, husband, job, and personal growth – Lieutenant Johnson receives “orders” which will move Sarah and her family far from Fort Riley to a different post and life. She will need to start again. Besides over thirty years of military service, the author graduated from West Point and received a Master’s from Harvard University. He knows the emotions, processes, and adventures of the story’s characters. The story of all of the Sarah Holloway Johnsons, past and present, needs to be told. “First Posting” begins their tale. Amongst other book sellers, the novel is available on-line from “Barnes & Noble” and “Amazon”. ISBN: Soft cover 978-1-4415-0619-1 Hardcover 978-1-4415-0620-7
SYNOPSIS
A personal diary and history from the parade fields of West Point to the 101st Airborne Division and the 1968 Tet Offensive in Vietnam. This book is not only a very personal story it is also a unit history and a selective history of the Vietnam war from the first deployment of U.S. troops to the end. The author’s own experiences are presented in context with other historical battles and events that shaped the war, with most of those battles and events involving West Point classmates and friends. It’s all here: a time-capsule history, the battles, the tactics, the emotions, the pride, the pain, the comradeship, the songs, the letters, the girl back home.
“I've been told, one of the things every man should do in life is write a book. This book is dedicated to those who didn't survive to write their own.”
AUTHOR’S BIOGRAPHY
The author graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in June 1964. The author served with the 101st Airborne Division initially at Fort Campbell in 1965, and later in Vietnam in 1968. Between those tours he served with the 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), Special Action Force Asia. He resigned from the Army as a captain after serving 6 years. Work on the manuscript began in 1986. The “first edition” of the manuscript was completed in 1988 and has been shared with other members of the 2/17th Cavalry and friends since then.
SOME OF THE BEST COMMENTARY
Lt. Gen. (Ret) Julius Becton (Commander 2/17th Cav): “Thoroughly enjoyed it. Right on."
Joe Mastriani (West Point '64): "It was terrific. I can picture it.”
Ed Sims (West Point '64): "Truthful and honest. I had trouble getting through parts of it – the
part about Claire Thurston."
Dr. Dave Vockell (Surgeon 2/17th Cav): "I kept picturing you. It was like you were telling me
the story.”
Lionel Ingram (West Point ‘63; A Troop, 2/17th Cav): “Important from both a personal and
historical standpoint. Thank you."
Joe Rozelle (B Troop 2/17th Cav): "I enjoyed it very much. I read it in one sitting. It hit me
very strongly – brought back memories I was afraid to deal with. For me it was a lot like
therapy.”
Loyal Nixon (2/17th Cav Maint. Officer): “Excellent. Right on target. Brought back vivid,
vivid memories. Had me laughing and crying. I think it's terrific.”
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Lieutenant Years 1964-1966
Fort Campbell, Ky to Bien Hoa RVN Oct – Dec 1967
Song Be and the Tet Offensive Jan – Feb 1968
The Tet Counteroffensive in Hue and Thua Thien Province
Epilogues
The End of the Tunnel
West Point Reunion 10/20/84
The Vietnam Memorial 6/27/87
A SEARCHABLE ELECTRONIC VERSION OF THE FABULOUS jOHN WARD bOOK (2007) CAN BE FOUND IN TWO PARTS AT:
www.west-point.org/class/usma1964/wardbook/wardbios.pdf
www.west-point.org/class/usma1964/wardbook/wardphotos.pdf
Images taken during the spring 2009 ski trip to Aspen may be seen at:
vIEW THE LATEST INFORMATION ON THE UPCOMING REUNION AT:
