By Breanna Becker
Every veteran has a story. Some are celebrated in history books, while others are carried quietly for decades, tucked away behind memories too painful to revisit. Each represents a life shaped by service, sacrifice, and experiences most civilians will never fully understand.
Retired U.S. Army Captain Dr. Stephanie Hennessy (Niceville, FL) understands this reality firsthand. Her 21-year military career began with 11 years of enlisted service in military intelligence before she transitioned into her final decade as a licensed clinical social worker. In May 2026, she completed her PhD in industrial-organizational psychology, furthering her lifelong commitment to understanding human behavior, resilience, and the experiences that shape us.
Today, Hennessy brings those perspectives together through an unexpected calling: children’s literature.
Her Veteran Adventure Stories series introduces young readers to the extraordinary lives of ordinary people who answered their nation’s call. Her purpose extends beyond preserving military history. She wants children to understand the humanity behind the uniform.
“Why do we say thank you for your service?” Hennessy asks. “What have they contributed to our country that is missing if we don’t continue to tell their stories?”
Her three illustrated books explore courage through distinctly different experiences.
Charlie Plumb follows a Kansas boy whose dreams of flying lead him into the Navy, where he becomes a fighter pilot, survives being shot down over Vietnam, and endures nearly six years as a prisoner of war.
Gregory Gadson tells the story of a young athlete whose football ambitions lead him to West Point and a military career. After losing both legs in Iraq, Gadson discovers that perseverance, leadership, and purpose are not defined by physical limitations.
Her third book, Eric Cobb Jr., explores perhaps the most tender form of courage: loyalty.
Drafted into Vietnam shortly after losing his father, Cobb served alongside Moose, a military working dog trained to detect enemy soldiers. Together, they navigated the dangers of war, developing a bond rooted in trust and survival.
During Hennessy’s interview with Cobb, he shared painful experiences he had carried for more than 50 years. His account left her wrestling with how to honor his truth without overwhelming young readers.
She spent months considering how to tell his story.
That deliberation reflects a conviction at the heart of her work: Children deserve honesty, delivered with compassion.
Hennessy has encountered resistance from educators concerned about exposing children to frightening subjects. Yet she believes avoiding those conversations entirely risks losing something far more valuable.
Understanding courage requires understanding what makes courage necessary.
Her commitment to authenticity extends to the books themselves. Despite the financial demands of publishing, Hennessy continues working with human illustrators rather than replacing their artistry with artificial intelligence.
Her dedication is gaining recognition. Her first two books were named finalists in the Military Writers Society of America’s 2026 awards competition. Both are also carried by military museums in Pensacola and Fort Walton Beach.
As communities recognize Veterans Day this November, Hennessy’s work reminds us that honoring service requires more than a moment of gratitude.
It requires listening.
Behind every uniform is someone who was once a child with dreams, a family, and a future they could not yet imagine. Their service may have changed the course of their lives, yet their humanity remains the most important part of their story.
Through the eyes of children, Hennessy is ensuring those stories are not forgotten. Because gratitude begins with understanding, and remembrance begins with a story.
(All of Dr. Hennessy’s published children’s work can be found on Amazon.com.)
