HOULTON, Maine — Before Dan Halverson of Caribou left his house to go to Houlton on Monday morning, he called his father, an infirm Korean War veteran, and asked if he wanted him to bring anything back.
His father knew that Halverson was heading to Houlton to help honor Sgt. 1st Class Aaron Henderson, 33, a U.S. Army Special Forces soldier who died in Afghanistan last week and whose body was returned to Aroostook on Monday. Halverson’s father asked him to stop by his house on the way out of town.
“When I got there, my father, who lives on a fixed income, handed me a $10 bill,” Halverson, his voice choking with emotion, said Monday. “And he said, ‘Stop into a store and buy some flags to hand out to the kids along the street, so they can help welcome him home properly.’”
And so that is what Halverson did. After handing out the flags, he joined hundreds of others who stood along a route that stretched through Houlton and Hodgdon, watching silently as the hearse carrying Henderson’s body passed by.
A motorcade containing family members, vehicles from several branches of law enforcement, firetrucks from multiple towns, motorcyclists from veterans organizations, and more vehicles organized at the Houlton International Airport. The procession, led by the hearse, then weaved through many local streets in Hodgdon and Houlton in an effort to drive by places that meant something to Henderson.
The motorcade passed parks where Henderson played as a child, the church where he worshiped, the gymnasiums where he shot hoops, and the family home on White Settlement Road in Hodgdon before ending at Bowers Funeral Home in Houlton.
Henderson died Tuesday, Oct. 2, at Bagram Air Force Base in Afghanistan from wounds suffered in an improvised explosives device attack on Sept. 30 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
He was a 1997 graduate of Hodgdon High School, joining the Army three years later. He was a Special Forces communications sergeant in a company headquartered at Fort Campbell, Ky. This was his fourth deployment in support of combat operations.
Henderson completed three deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom before his most recent deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
He earned numerous awards and decorations, including the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart and Meritorious Service Medal. He has a large family and extended family in the Houlton and Hodgdon areas.
His funeral will be held Wednesday. Visitation begins at noon in the gymnasium at Houlton High School. The funeral, with the Rev. Randall Burns officiating, follows at 2 p.m. Interment with full military honors will be at East Hodgdon Cemetery.
Local schools will be dismissing students early so they can attend the services.
Kim McDonald, who grew up in southern Maine but moved to Houlton a few years ago, said she did not know Henderson, but was proud to bring her two children out Monday to “watch a hero come home.”
“I think that it is best to teach your children when they are young how you are supposed to treat our nation’s veterans,” she said. “I want them to know that this is what you do. You attend ceremonies on Memorial Day and Veterans Day. You fly the flag. You say thank you. I am proud to see all of the people here today. He deserves it.”
Thank-you to all of you who were able to go and pay tribute and honor a fallen American hero for those of us who could not…..it is awesome to see the American Flag displayed along the motorcade route…..Please rest in peace Sgt. Henderson, thank-you for paying the ultimate price for my freedoms…..
In proud and tender remembrance of Sgt. 1st Class Aaron Henderson, U.S. Army Special Forces soldier from Maine, who last week paid the ultimate price in defence of democratic freedom … Sir you are remembered and honoured by a Maine and US admirer here in the UK … Requiescat in Pace … your duty’s done, stand down and stand easy … may your friends, family and comrades find comfort knowing you died in our defence … Don Buxton, Rotherham, UK
As a USAF combat veteran, I thank you Mister Buxton, for your words. It is indeed a comfort to know that we continue to have a tremendous bond between the United States and the United Kingdom, our staunchest ally. We, humorously are, two peoples separated by a common language.
I would offer that Kim McDonald, quoted in the article, said it best:
“I think it is best to teach your children when they are young, how you are supposed to treat your nation’s veterans. I want them to know that this is what you do. You attend ceremonies on Memorial Day and Veterans day. You fly the flag. You say thank you. I am proud to see all the people here today. He deserves it.”
Thank you Ms. McDonald, and thank you Mr. Buxton.
Thank you Sgt. 1st Class Aaron Henderson, U.S. Army Special Forces for your honorable service to this Great Nation. The people of this Great Nation are so very proud of you. Its time now to rest and be at peace. My family will keep your family in our prayers; we will not forget your service and the price you paid for our freedom.
This is a tragic situation. My heart goes out to the family. An Army soldier whose service is honorable with the ultimate sacrifice paid, all can agree to that, but there is a disturbing thought to many of us that this soldier should have not been placed in this situation. A war with no realistic end game in sight, politicians unable to find an exit, we have been here before and to many of us its haunting repetition of circumstance is troubling and awakening a dialogue that needs to happen for the families of the thousands of other soldiers still potentially in harm’s way.
David,
This is not the time nor place for such comments !!!!
I understand you feel that way. I have tremendous empathy for the family, but out of my concern for the other families of those still there I disagree. When would be better in your opinion, next week with another 10 fallen soldiers, next month with another 30, or next year with another 100. It is well past the time.
I knew his father. His hearse passed his father’s office.
This is how ALL fallen soldiers should be welcomed home, period. Sgt. Henderson, thank you for your service and sacrifice. Citizens of Houlton, thank you for your patriotism and respect.
Sad, very sad.
“It’s not going to to look like a win, smell like a win, or taste like a win.” Major General Bill Mayville on Afghanistan. “This is going to end in an argument.”
A sad day for a fallen Hero.
This soldier received the homecoming he deserved for his sacrifice, people gave their respect, and honored this man in the light of day. I feel for the families whose sons & daughters had to return home under the cover of darkness.
It’s past time for us to bring all these men and women home.
So proud to see the community I was born and raised in come out in support of a fallen hero. Thank you Sgt 1st class Henderson for your ultimate sacrifice. May you rest in peace.
I salute SFC Henderson AND the fine people of Houlton, Maine for showing respect and honor for such a deserving soldier. RIP