Of God and Country

Arthur grew up in rural Canada in the 1910s and often questioned God. He dreamed of visiting New York, a land of stars and celebrities, and eventually made the journey. However, his doubts about life's meaning followed him. Arthur's charisma impressed his friends, and he landed an acting job with a road company. Unfortunately, the company went bankrupt in 1931, leaving Arthur stranded in San Francisco. Following a series of life-altering events, such as the loss of his job, the passing of his beloved mentor and closest friend, and the death of his mother, he found comfort in the words of a kind-hearted priest. Through their conversations, he rediscovered a sense of purpose that aligned with his earlier aspirations. As World War II intensified, Father Henderson was asked to serve his country as a chaplain. Despite his aversion to conflict, he answered the call and went on to become the 'Most Decorated Chaplain' of that war. Even though war was not part of his plan, he stood tall in the face of adversity and displayed extraordinary bravery and heroism. Father Henderson's story is a testament to his character strength and commitment to serving others. A Pentagon position follows, and he helps form policy on post-war agendas like freedom of religion and human rights. When he hears a confession he can't reveal due to church and judicial law, he's thrown into a world of espionage. Caught between serving God or Country, he must choose a side, but the cost may be his life. After retiring from government, he was appointed by Pope Paul VI to restore artwork in Latin America for the church. The Church and the State were monitoring him; it was unclear who was following him. He was involved in a massive auto accident with several cars and trucks in the northern part of Mexico. A veil of suspicion surrounded his death in 1970 at age 63. It is an aspirational saga of an unsung hero. A biographical novel based on a true story. Chaplain Colonel Arthur Benedict Henderson (OFM)