John Hennen Obituary

Hennen, we've missed you. I've lost friends and family over the years, and convention usually directs us to speak highly of who we ate remembering, and I have heard many people led by good intentions distort someone's character in an effort to be nice. But, your character, when spoken of to this day, commands reverence, gratitude, and respect.
A couple of weeks ago, almost all of 1st Platoon got together for the weekend for the first time in 14 years. Everyone seemed to get a lot from it. And conversations naturally found their way to stories involving missions with you and Johnson. You were a great team.
I could go on with stories, but that would just be self-serving. I simply want to express my gratitude to the impeccable timing by which you guys would happen to be compromised just in time to recover the sniper element, turn off the BFT, and cruise over to Camp Taji for a hot dinner.
Thanks for everything.

11 years ago my father passed away and noyhing will ever be the same without him. he was a great man for all i can remember. RIP dad

Hello,
We would like to express our deepest condolences and also let the Hennen Family and friends know that we will be sending Care Packages to troops in Afghanistan this week and we'll be dedicating several of these to your loved one. Each package will carry the name, photo and the hometown of John M. Hennen US Army Sergeant 1st Class. We realize that this is a small tribute, but we do this with all respect and sincerity and we want you to know that it is made possible by thousands of like-minded individuals from across the American youth hockey community. We will not forget. May God Bless you and keep you strong.
Sincerely,
Charlie Gili & Family
On Behalf of the US Hockey Players Support Our Troops Campaign

In recognition of the 6th anniversary of the passing of SFC John Hennen. We will always be grateful to him for his service and sacrifice.

To the family and friends of Sgt. 1st Class John Hennen:
It has truly been my honor to sign John's guest book these past few years. Unfortunately, due to complications from my Multiple Sclerosis, this may be the last message I'm able to write. Please forgive me and know that John will always be remembered in my home.
With love and respect ~ Peggy

John,

Even though we never met I feel like I've known you for a long time. You have a great mother who loves you more than anything. Thank you for giving your life to protect us here in the U.S. and abroad. God bless you and keep you.

You or so missed You or a true HERO..... RIP IN GOD. GARDEN

Miss you bro. Not a day goes by that I don't replay the day you were taken from us. Keep watching over us all

Thank you for all you have given so that I may live with the freedoms I enjoy daily. Freedoms I take for granted. I will do my best to realize these privileges come with a cost. Even though I dont know you, I can say I love you...and thank you...you gave all you had to give...I am unworthy. Blessings to your family.

Mr. & Mrs. Michael Stelly

To the family and friends of Sgt. 1st Class John Hennen:
Always remembering John. "Some gave all."

June 17, 2011
To the family and friends of Sgt. 1st Class John Hennen:
Please accept my remembrance of John on the anniversary of his passing and know that he will never be forgotten.

There are always things that happen from day to day that remind us of you! Your heart, & your humor were the biggest & the best things about you. We will always have those infamous John moments to remember & laugh on. Thank you for being such a great friend, solider, & father, you will never be forgotten & always be missed.

Memorial Day is quickly approaching....I love and miss you so very much and I want to tell you THANK YOU FOR MY FREEDOMS. Until we meet again my son, my angel, my heart....love forever, Mom

To the family and friends of Sgt. 1st Class John Hennen:
Remembering John on the anniversary of his passing. May our fallen heroes never be forgotten!
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org

Hey Hammer. Just wanted to tell you I was thinking about you today and always. You were a great soldier and I hope that your son grows up to be just like you. I have so many memories of us in Iraq that I will never forget you. Take care bro.

I ride with your name on my back alson known as THE HAMMER

To the family of Sgt. 1st Class John Hennen:
John gave the ultimate sacrifice and will be held in the hearts of Americans forever. I cannot and will not let our fallen heroes be forgotten. My deepest sympathy to you. "Some gave all."
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org

Holding you all in my thoughts and prayers.


The Wind on The Downs

“I like to think of you as brown and tall,
As strong and living as you used to be,
In khaki tunic, Sam Brown belt and all,
And standing there and laughing down at me.
Because they tell me, dear, that you are dead,
Because I can no longer see your face,
You have not died, it is not true, instead
You seek adventure in some other place.
That you are round about me, I believe;
I hear you laughing as you used to do,
Yet loving all the things I think of you;
And knowing you are happy, should I grieve?
You follow and are watchful where I go.”

(Written by Marian Allen during World War l )

Two lines that I wish you to keep near your heart…….

“You seek adventure in some other place.
That you are round about me, I believe”


I did not know John, but I am remembering
his service. He is my hero. !

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Other Side

i'm over on the other side
where life and death softly divide.
left my skin and bones behind
now i'm over on the other side.

can you feel me there with you?
my breath is gone but i'm not through.
loved you then and i still do
from over on the other side.

i can fly. really fly.
below the earth ... all through the sky.
tell em all i did not die.
i'm just over on the other side.

it's good here on the other side.
the sweetest songs...the bluest skies.
thank you for the tears you cried
but it's good here on the other side.

i can fly. really fly. below the earth...all through the sky.
tell em all i did not die.
i'm just over on the other side

the world is smaller than a needle's eye.
where life and death softly divide.
when you leave your skin and bones behind
i'll be waiting on the other side.

i can fly. really fly. below the earth ... all through the sky.
go tell em all i did not die.
i'm just over on the other side.

Song lyrics by Don Conoscenti
C Desert Muse/SESAC
www.donconoscenti.com
(Used with permission)

“I hope it brings great comfort to any and all.
Peace on you. DonCon” 4-2008


The Other Side –
http://tinyurl.com/3o8gol



Sincerely,

Deb Estep ~ Ohio
Proud Air Force Mom and MIL

Remembering The Fallen – Blog
http://tinyurl.com/3z8p55

Angel and soldier drawing I have shared here.
http://tinyurl.com/6gey8b

John,
Thinking and praying for you on the 1st anniversary of your passing into eternal glory. May God hold you in the palm of His hand. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends", John 15:13.

SFC John Hennen was my only brother. I miss him dearly. I never knew this site existed until tonight. I just had the sudden urge to put his name in the search bar and this out of many sites came up. I just want to say thank you to every person that commented on him and for all of the condolences. He was and still is too many a great man. He was the best father to his son. He was such a jokester that at times I still wish for my phone to ring at 3am just to hear a cheesy John Joke. I know that will never happen again and it saddens me that there are many other soldiers out there that could get their lives taken away as well. Again thanks to everyone.
Little Sister of SFC John Hennen

Miss Susan,

I am Chase Edwards Aunt Renee, and we met at the Memorial Ride on Saturday. It was an honor to meet you and to have you participate in the ride for Chase. My thoughts and prayers that God grant you peace and strength, are with you always. I hope to see you again next year for the 3rd annual ride.

The Land of the Free, Because of the Brave

Proud aunt of PFC Chase Edwards, USMC
KIA 06Apr2006
chasememorialride.com

Susan & Paul,
I know I don't keep in touch as much as I should, but I want you to know that not a day goes by that I don't think of John and you guys. I know this situation is difficult for everyone and we are all still grieving. I'm still working through my emotions and am taking things one day at a time. I hope you are too. I carry you and your son in my heart, even though I haven't been able to show it right now. Just know that I love y'all as much as I loved him.

I would like to thank everyone for their support and prayers during this horrible tragedy. We love and miss John more than words can express. John died protecting the freedom that we all enjoy. He was a very proud and dedicated soldier. He was proud to be ranked among the most elite men of our Country...THE AMERICAN SOLDIER.
Our UNDYING Love,
MOM & DAD

I miss you Brother.

I wanted to say that I am sorry for the pain that you have to endure. I am enduring the same pain in a different way. I am the wife of SFC Henderson, Christopher killed in the vehicle with SFC Hennen. Our 8 year old daughter, Kayley, and I would like to express our deepest compassion to you and also we realize there is nothing that can be said to make it any easier. If you ever need anything please feel free to contact me. Sincerely Jennifer (Jenna) Henderson (Wife of SFC Henderson)
and Kayley Sharp-Henderson (daughter of SFC Henderson)

To everyone who has written about John, may God Bless you all. John was an oustanding person all the way around. He is my grandsons, John Michael Hennen II, dad. John is missed so much. My grandson lives with us, so I personally know that his dad (John) is right here with him. We miss him and love him so very much, and again thank you, all of you very much

There is nothing that I can say or do to take away the pain or bring you peace in your time of sorrow, but I will offer you and your family my heart felt condolences. I also offer you my prayers that in time the pain will easy and the memories of your HERO will carry you through each day and night. I want to thank your HERO, for his/her selfless act of becoming a member of the armed forces, his/her willingness to defend the United States of America, all that we hold sacred and for the sacrifice that will forever be etched in the memories of all those who knew him/her. Though tears can never bring him/her back, we hope that our tears express our gratitude for the sacrifice that he/she made and our sorrow at his/her passing. I believe for every fallen HERO there is a star shining brightly up above to remind us of the precious gift we were given.

Your mission on earth is complete and you are now a member of GOD’s Heavenly armed forces. Stand down brave warrior and take your rightful place in Heaven with all the HEROES who have passed before.

I made a special promise to LE RON A. WILSON, a dear family friend who joined the Army with three other friends, one of whom is my son (Le Ron was killed in action on 07/06/07 at the age of 18) on the day he was laid to rest as I touched his coffin, that I would never forget him nor would I forget those that gave their lives for our country before him, with him and after him and so when I came across www.legacy.com, I thought what a great way to keep my promise to Le Ron, so I will continue to leave tributes in each guest book until the day there is no longer the need to leave these tributes to a FALLEN HERO.

REST IN PEACE, HERO, YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!!

PROUD MOTHER OF A U.S. SOLDIER
Currently stationed in Germany
Althea Barrett(Queens, NY)

My deepest sympathy to the family of SFC John Hennen. Please take comfort in knowing that your son died a true American hero. My heart goes out to you during this devastating time. I share in your grief. My little brother, CPT Joshua E. Steele was in the humvee with SFC Hennen. Please feel free to contact me if you need support.

PEACE

To the Hennen Family,

God blessed you with a tremendous son, and I will always treasure the time I was able to serve with him and for his courage and strong sense of duty.

Respectfully

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOURS. I HAVE JUST LEARNED OF YOUR GREAT LOSS AND WISH TO EXPRESS MY DEEPEST SYMPATHIES. PLEASE KNOW THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT HERE WHO DO CARE AND YOUR HERO WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. HOLD TIGHT TO YOUR TREASURED MEMORIES THAT HIS SPECIAL SMILE MAY CONTINUE TO SHINE. I PRAY THAT PEACE WILL FIND YOU ALL SOMEDAY. GODSPEED AND SEMPER FI.

A PROUD MARINE MOM

My heartfelt sympathy to the Hennen family in the loss of John. I did not know John, but my heart is broken and I am saddened for your loss of such a fine young person and hero. May God bring you peace in your heart as you reflect on all the wonderful memories you hold so close. Please know that you are in my heart and prayers. My heart was touched by the many wonderful/beautiful things written about you. John you are my hero and you will NEVER be forgotten.
I send each of you a hug from the most inner part of my heart.
Love and Peace
Tom

"To live in the hearts
of those you leave behind
is never to die"
~Robert Orr~

SFC Hennen's Family,
I wanted to say thank you to SFC Hennen for his friendship to SFC Henderson (also in the humvee and killed that day). I am his wife and I know that all in the humvee that day will always be heros in our eyes. Our 8 yr old daughter thinks that all in the vehicle that day went to heaven and became stars to watch over us each day and night because they were stars on earth. All I know is that all of them will be stars for us always. If you ever need anything please let us know. Jennifer Henderson and Kayley

Sgt. 1st Class John Hennen
you are my hero
may god keep you in his arms forever.

We can't imagine what you have been going through since being notified of the death of your Warrior. The Military and families all over the USA and world are grieving with you and praying for you. What a very brave individual you have in your family that would give up a life for their homeland and its people so they can remain free. Your Freedom Fighter has served the Country above and beyond the call of duty, let no one ever tell you different. With the mission now completed your Warrior has been redeployed to Heaven to sit on the right hand of the Supreme Commander and Chief. The Father above has John in his arms and will give him peace as well as eventually easing your pain and suffering. God speed to you and Sgt. 1st Class John Hennen, our HERO. We are so proud of them that are willing to sacrifice for this great Nation, THANK YOU.

Army Retired

We are deeply saddened at the loss of this brave young soldier, a hero. May God comfort and embrace you as only He can. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
In loving memory of our nephew
Lance Cpl James R. Davenport KIA 11/22/06 Anbar Province

To the Family and Friends of this Soldier:
I will stand in grief with this soldier's family to honor him. For every fallen HERO there is a bright star that shines in the evening sky to remind us of the cherished gift we were given – even if for too short a time.
My heart breaks again as I sign yet another guest book of another courageous young soldier who gave their life so selflessly. I wish I never found myself in a position to have to sign another guestbook for the rest of my life, but I promised Brent that neither he nor any like him would be forgotten and so I will continue until the day there is no longer the need.
We lost our son SFC Brent A. Adams on 12/1/05 and it seems like yesterday. I wish so badly there were things I could say to you right now to make the pain you are feeling go away, but I know first hand there simply are no words that will bring you the comfort and peace your heart aches for. Just know that you are not alone. My heart, thoughts, and prayers are with you all as you go through this tragedy moment by moment and as you mourn this loss.
We don't know each other, will probably never meet, but will forever be united in the loss of our Heroes. We have, unfortunately joined a group none of us wanted to join, an ever-growing group of families in this situation. May God grant you peace and strength to get through this and be able once again to smile at a memory rather than have only the tears that flow so easily now. To be so proud of your loved one and so saddened at the same time is a mix of emotions very difficult to deal with as our hearts both burst with pride and pain together.
I am sorry that I never knew your soldier personally. While they can never be replaced, neither will they ever be forgotten. You must trust that sometime, someday the loving memories you have will help to sustain you and help you go on. This courageous soldier will forever be your Angel watching over you all for the rest of your lives. It's what brings me some measure of peace and comfort and I hope it will you as well.
To his family and friends in pain, I offer this comfort: When you find yourself in that dark sorrowful place, think not only of how you will miss him, but instead recall the years, days, hours and minutes gifted to you by his presence. The one thing that cannot be taken from you is your wonderful memories that now will mean more than ever.
If you ever want to talk, I'm only an e:mail away and would love for you to tell me more about your Hero.
God Bless this soldier and family who gave all and God Bless legacy.com for setting up this site where families can so quickly share their condolences and prayers with others like themselves.
Proud Parents of SFC Brent A. Adams, KIA, 12/1/05, Ramadi, Iraq
Pam and Bill Adams, Lancaster, PA

Sgt. 1st Class John Hennen & Family:

Know in your heart that you are a true hero and will never be forgotten. All gave some, some gave all. Rest in peace. You will be missed by everyone’s life you have touched.

To the family, as the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life’s routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family, friends, and all Americans for the sacrifice of one of your family members for our freedom. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May you find comfort in the loving embrace of our Heavenly Father.

To the Hennen family, please know that Sgt.1Class John Hennen will always be a hero. I pray that the days ahead will bring you peace and comfort. Thank you for allowing him to protect all of us.

Please accept my deepest sympathy for the loss of your Hero, and my sincerest gratitude for his service. May God grant you peace and strength

The Land of the Free, Because of the Brave

Aunt of a Hero
PFC Chase Edwards, USMC
Lake Charles, LA
KIA 06Apr2006

To you and your family, you have our deepest sympathy in the loss of your loved one. As Americans, we appreciate and Honor John's dedication to keeping us safe.
Our prayers are with you and may God give you comfort.
Sincerely,
Ray and Gloria Shanklin
Massillon, Ohio

Rest in peace among the angels.

My prayers and thoughts are with you.
I know how you feel losing a "HERO",Becoming a "Gold Star" Mother myself on 25 March.. The sacrafice our sons and daughters are making on a daily basis should tell us all..These young HEROS knew full well what they were doing and did it proudly When you hug your loved ones tonight.... Remember... We also hugged ours and now they are protecting you..We.. as Americans need to make the "Ultimate Sacrafice" by supporting all our military(HEROS)...the Proud Mom of SGT. Jason W. Swiger
5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne,Fort Bragg, N.C. KIA 3/25/007

Father we entrust our brother John to your mercy. You loved him greatly in this life: now that he is freed from all its cares, give him happiness and peace forever. Welcome him now into paradise where there will be no more sorrow, no more weeping or pain, but only peace and joy with Jesus your Son, and the Holy Spirit forever and ever.
May God hold John in the palm of His hand. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. My deepest sympathy.

As the mother of a son (my only child) who is enlisted in the Army, I want to send my condolences.

REST IN PEACE MY FRIEND, TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS MAY THE MEMORIES OF THIS WONDERFUL SOLDIERS LIFE FILL YOUR HEARTS WITH BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES
GOD BLESS YOU

My Deepest and Most Heartfelt Sympathy goes out to the family of Sgt. 1st Class John Hennen, with a Multitude of Thanks for this Brave Young Soldier's Courage, Dedication and Service to our Country and for Freedom.

The price John and his family have paid, Will Never Be Forgotten. May he Rest Safely now, in God's Care and may the Peace of God be with the Hennen family.
I am the Sister of such a young hero, who made the Ultimate Sacrifice in Vietnam, many years ago

"Surely He hath borne our grief,
and carried our sorrows."
Isaiah 53:4

May you find comfort and strength, in the beautiful memories of times spent with John.
Quietly and gently, may healing come, with each new day.
You are in my thoughts and my prayers.

To the family of John, my grief for the loss of you son is felt. I know what it's like to loose your child in war as my son was killed in action too. It feels that your heart has been ripped from you and you don't understand why this happened to your child. I've felt all you will feel in the coming days and weeks and though I’m not close in relation to area, but I am very close by email. I offer any support to you and your family that I can. It's with the Grace of God that I've gotten through each day and with His healing love and comfort that I've been able to once again sleep at night and not cry each day. Believe me I do know how hard it is. May God continue to heal you and your family and contact me when and if you are ever ready, even if it's to vent or cry. In memory of my son SPC Harry (Buck) Winkler III KIA 11/12/06 Samarra, Iraq with the 2-505th PIR 82nd Airborne Div