Hometown Hero: Garn Henderson

People often ask themselves if they are a hero to anyone. Others try to decide who their hero is. Well, I have my own personal hero I want you to know about. His name is Garn Henderson.

We married young and broke, but were very in love. We thought that was all we needed. In early 2004 when we found out we were having a baby we realized love wont pay for the child we were about to bring into the world. He had been in the National Guard for 6 years, and was great at what he did.

We had talked to a recruiter about going active duty, and when we heard about the baby, he called and made him put a rush on it. Not long after we joined we got word that he was to deploy. He left when I was 7 1/2 months pregnant. He missed his little girl being born, but luckily got to hear her little voice only hours after she was born. And thank goodness for the military he got to see her through web cams.

So he left right after we were married for 3 months, again before the baby was due, and then left ahead of us to set up our new home in Texas when we got our orders, and missed her first word. Sure he has missed a lot, but always makes up for it. Our little girl is a daddy's girl, and he couldn't love anything or anyone more. So I guess I was wrong. I think in some form or another, you really can live on love.

My hero doesn't realize what a special man he is, and he is so modest. But I realize it, and so do many other people. It means the world to me when people find out my husband is in Iraq and they say to thank him for what he is doing, and their prayers are with him. Then I know, he's not just my hero. He has never complained about what he does, he just says its going to be ok. Garn is a true American soldier.

Here is a picture of him the day he met his daughter.

Shariese Henderson