22 Pontoon^ & Deck Boat July^2017 http://www.pdbmagazine.com
WITH FAMILIES ACROSS THE NATION GATHERING
UNDER SPARKLERS, FIREWORKS, AND PATRIOTIC-
THEMED DESSERTS ONCE AGAIN, IT’S EASY TO
SEE THAT INDEPENDENCE DAY IS STILL ONE
OF THE FAVORITE HOLIDAYS TO CELEBRATE. No
one would argue that we could be where we are today
without the incredible actions of our brave servicemen
and women. The hard part is remembering how much
service and sacrifice went into our country’s freedom
after the last Fourth of July firework goes off and we
all head home once again.
So let’s take a moment to reflect beyond the
fanfare and glam of the holiday and honor the
very lives that were changed and, in some
cases, tragically lost to bring us to this point.
We’d like to share the stories of some of our
nation’s veterans who also happen to be big-
time boaters. So if you recognize anyone in
these pages out on the docks, make sure to stop
and shake their hand. We have so much to be
thankful for because someone else was willing to serve
for our great country.BY AUSTA COOK AND JOSEPH BJORK
VINCENT HENNING
When Vincent retired from the US
Air Force in 2004, he brought more
than memories of his service home with
him—he brought a 20-foot Smoker Craft
as well. After he made the trek from
New Mexico to Washington state with
his pontoon in tow, fellow boaters at the
lake were quick to take notice. Being no
stranger to leadership, Vincent now finds
himself a pioneer for pontooning in the
Northwest.“No one in the Northwest had hardly
ever seen a pontoon up here before and I
had all kinds of folks asking me about it!
It made me feel like a real pioneer and
ambassador for the pontoon boat hobby
up here,” he jokes.
After 20 years of service in Aircraft
Maintenance, it seems that in things
both great and small this retired
Master Sergeant continues to exercise
a powerful influence through his own
example, in the air and on the water.After 17 years of piloting his Smoker
Craft, Vincent still owns the same
pontoon to this day.