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A Rockingham native will return for his second book signing on Sept. 20 at Leath Memorial Library.

Bill Covington, author of “War Is Not All Hell,” said the book was inspired by his 25 years with the U.S. Army, specifically his two years as a medical evacuation helicopter pilot in Vietnam.

“As strange as it may seem, there is a lot of room for humor and laughter in a war zone environment,” Covington wrote in the book’s description. “Maybe the reason is that when so much sadness and danger is all around, one seems to welcome anything that is remotely funny. During my two years in Vietnam, I often felt that humor and laughter were the major factors that contributed to having a positive attitude.”

According to the description, the book underlines the people, places and events that profoundly affected Covington’s life for years beyond his service.

“It is dedicated to those that have served and are currently serving in our military forces, and especially to those comrades in arms who paid the full measure,” Covington said. “To be sure, our many freedoms, our opportunities, and our safe living environment in the USA did not and still do not come without a price … This story is for friends, comrades and any others that have had similar experiences. I hope to shed a bit of a different light on the subject of war with an emphasis on the humor that often happens, which I believe is what gets us through. I have cherished this time and know that it had a great deal to do with developing the positive attributes of my character that I may have and the way I approach and live my life.”

Last May’s book signing for “War Is Not All Hell” elicited a good response, Covington said.

“We had at least 25 or 30 people come by and buy books,” he said, “but I had a lot of friends after the book signing that said they didn’t know me by William, they knew me by Bill.”

Covington is a 1958 graduate of Rockingham High School, where he said he played football, baseball and basketball. He currently lives in Florida.

The book signing will be held from 2 to 5:30 p.m. in the Wall Room at Leath Memorial Library, located at 412 E. Franklin St. in Rockingham. For more information, call the library at 910-895-6337.

— Staff Writer Mallory Brown can be reached at 910-997-3111, ext. 18, or by email at mallorybrown@heartlandpublications.com.