On Nov. 1, the third annual “National Author’s Day” celebration begins with the book launch of “Kinship: Stories of Norwich High School, the Draft, and War” by noted author and historian Edward J. “Ed” Erickson. This non-fiction anthology is about the Norwich Senior High School Class of 1968; its parents, teachers, and mentors; and the 25 class members who served in the armed forces of the United States. It is also a story about how residents of Norwich and Chenango County dealt with military service and Selective Service (or “the Draft”) from 1940–1973.
“In anthropology, kinship is the web of social relationships that form an important part of the lives of all humans in all societies, although its exact meanings even within this discipline are often debated,” Erickson said. “Every person in this narrative is connected in some way to the Norwich Class of 1968. Military service and ‘the Draft’ exerted an ever present and pervasive presence in American society from World War II through the end of the Vietnam War.”
Erickson, a veteran of Desert Storm, Bosnia, and Iraqi Freedom, asserts that the Norwich Senior High School Class of 1968 was at the epicenter of a generational intersection of shared experiences revolving around “the Draft” and war. Depending on the availability of sources, many narratives shared are extensive, but some are very brief. All are connected to Erickson’s graduating high school class. The book recounts the military experiences of 177 World War II and Korean War veterans, and the 25 veterans of the Norwich Senior High School Class of 1968.
Discounted pre-order sales for “Kinship: Stories of Norwich High School, the Draft, and War” can be made at https://tinyurl.com/KinshipStories now through Oct. 23. Pre-ordered copies will be available for pick-up during the book launch. The Chenango County Historical Society (CCHS) will begin selling books at the full cover price that day as well.
Sponsored by Clear Path for Veterans, the “Kinship” book launch will be held on Nov. 1 from noon to 1 p.m. at the SUNY Morrisville Norwich Campus, 20 Conkey Ave., with complimentary lunch provided. Erickson will offer brief remarks and be available to sign copies. To register for the book launch, email info@ChenangoHistorical.org by Oct. 25.
“National Author’s Day” is a free community celebration sponsored by the SUNY Morrisville Human Services Institute in collaboration with CCHS. In addition to the book launch, festivities feature four guest author presentations and an evening reception to honor writers of the annual CCHS Journal.
First established in 1939, CCHS is the area’s premier heritage museum dedicated to celebrating local culture – its unique traditions and noteworthy stories. CCHS programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. Visit www.ChenangoHistorical.org for more details about this and other museum programs.