Grissom part of colonel's memories Published June 2, 2006 By Lt Col Gary Lockard 434th ARW Public Affairs GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind -- Not only were The University of South Carolina, Grissom, Yokota, Wright-Patterson, the Pentagon, Mountain Home and Langley stops along the way during the distinguished career of Col. Shelia Henderson, they are also on the itinerary of an American Flag being flown in her honor. Colonel Henderson is chief of the budget division at Air Combat Command and will retire in November 2006. The flag is flown at one location and then forwarded to the next base. “In preparing for retirement, I took time to reflect on the people and places that have brought me to this point,” explained the colonel. “I have had an awesome Air Force career and wanted to retire with memories of each of my duty locations etched into my mind. The flag flying allows me to carry the memories of all the great Airman and civilians I have had the opportunity of working with throughout my entire 26 years of AF service.” To make this project work, Colonel Henderson contacted budget personnel at each location to see if they would help. The response was overwhelming and the flag was soon on its way. The colonel included a personal check to cover postage and mailing for each leg of the journey so there is no cost to the government. “I think it’s a great idea,” stated Mr. Michael Ayers, 434th ARW comptroller. He was the point of contact at Grissom who received the flag, made arrangements with Security Forces for it to be flown at the base flagpole and then boxed up the flag and sent it on its way to the next destination. “Being with the active duty Air Force for eight years and another 20 plus in the Air Force Reserve, I look at it that we are all family. I look at it as helping a family member.” After graduating from the University of South Carolina in 1980 and receiving her commission from the school’s ROTC program, 2nd Lieutenant Henderson arrived for duty at Grissom. At that time, it was an active duty base belonging to the Strategic Air Command. “As a newly commissioned 20-year old officer, an assignment to Grissom Air Force Base was simply a dream come true,” said Colonel Henderson. “I felt a sense of belonging, both from my Air Force family as well as the community. In addition, this experience provided the rock solid foundation that has sustained me throughout my entire Air Force career.” While at Grissom, she served as an audit officer with the Air Force Audit Agency and lived in the local community of Kokomo, Ind. “The people—kind, caring and warm hearted. They fully supported the military and reached out to make us feel like family,” explained the colonel in describing what she most liked about Indiana. “The state was awesome…..loved the small town flair of Peru and Kokomo and the fact that we were so centrally located that I could enjoy Indianapolis, Dayton and Chicago.” “I especially enjoyed the small town atmosphere and the great relationship the base had with the local communities. I made countless friends, fell in love, met my then husband, was wined and dined by him every Friday night at the Red Lobster in Kokomo and got married in Peru.” The colonel’s next assignment was Yokota Air Base, Japan, where her daughter was born. From there it was Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, --where her daughter was baptized; Langley AFB, Va., Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, --where she commanded her first squadron; the Pentagon, and then back to Langley. After her retirement in November, the colonel plans to take some time off to relax, do some traveling and spend time with family members and friends. She then plans to return to work in some capacity supporting the Department of Defense and the war fighters. “”Please pass on my sincere thanks to Mr. Mike Ayers for making the Grissom leg of the journey possible,” said Colonel Henderson. “I am truly honored and humbled that so many folks, most of whom I do not know, have taken time out of their extremely busy schedules to honor my request. Lastly, please pass on my sincere thanks to the entire Grissom family and the community for showing a young lieutenant the heart of our country and for giving me the right start!”
