The veteran is about to graduate from high school
Will Henderson, 56, learned in the military how widespread poverty and hunger are. And he made it his mission to help feed as much as he could.
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A hometown hero will take the stage to graduate from high school this week after a 39-year delay.
Will Henderson, 56, was just 17 when he joined the army. He is a veteran who has done more than just serve his country in the military.
“I’m going to wear my army uniform and give him that, plus my high school diploma,” Henderson said. “When I graduate from high school, I’ll give it to my mom and say, ‘Hey mom, this is for you and you have to keep it.'”
Henderson said he served six years on active duty and six years on reserve. He was stationed in many places including Fort Benning, Ellington Field and Iraq. And will not be long in going on stage to finally receive her diploma.
In the meantime, Henderson continued to serve others, including saving co-workers at a grocery store by disarming a gunman.
“I got a job at HEB on Kostoryz. A guy came shooting, so everyone ran to the back of the store,” Henderson said. “And I saved everyone in the store. I got a good newspaper article out of it.”
Henderson said what he learned during his hiccup in the military was just how widespread poverty and hunger were. And he’s made it his mission to help feed as many people in his hometown as possible.
“I feed about 10 to 20 families a day. I drive my truck to drop off groceries, people often donate them,” Henderson said.
One of the presenters for Henderson’s graduation is also a veteran.
Sean Wilson is the senior naval science instructor at Moody High School.
“He’s from the Army. I’m from the Navy. But we still have that spirit of service and community that I wish for everyone.”
Henderson continues to help with his own organization here in town.
“I have a thing called veterans who feed the hungry. And I deliver food, bags of food and knock on their door. They open it and I’m like ‘here’s some food’ And you know, it’s touching and it makes me cry. They’re so happy that we have food.
And we thank Will and all like him for their continued service.
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