33, of Houlton, Maine; assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Campbell, Ky.; died Oct. 2 at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered Sept. 30 from an improvised explosive device in Zombalay Village, Afghanistan.
To honor SFC Aaron A. Henderson , his mother, Christine Henderson retrieved this stone from their seven-generation family farm.
SFC Hendersonâs mother describes the origin of the stone and her son â
âThe stone came from the farm where I now live. The Henderson farm is 7 generation and my boys spent a lot of time here growing up. Aaron was a fun loving guy that had a lot of personality. People were drawn to him when he entered a room. He was all about family and he would do anything for anybody.â
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I am a member of Patriot Riders of America Maine Chapter 1 and participated in the Summit Project Ride on Memorial Weekend. I had the honor of carrying Aaron’s stone for part of the trip from Portland to Baxter Sate Park. I just don’t have the words to describe what a privilege it was for me to be a small part of honoring him. Thank you so much for your sacrifice and please know that Sargent 1st Class Aaron A. Henderson will never be forgotten and will be honored forever.
Ron Workman TMCS(SS) USN (ret)
Like so many other people involved with the Summit Project memorial hike last weekend, it has taken me some time to put words to the emotions and thoughts that I experienced from my participation. I know what it meant to me to honor the fallen, but expressing it in words has challenged me. First and foremost I want to thank you and your family for allowing me the honor of carrying Aaron’s memory to the peak of Owl mountain. When I was asked to carry the stone representing Aaron, I started looking for information about him to learn what kind of person he was. I was fortunate to work with two people originally from “The County” who had the privilege of knowing Aaron personally. Learning that he volunteered to deploy in order to serve with and mentor his junior Soldiers strikes a cord with me. That speaks volumes of the type of person he was.
From the moment I heard about The Summit Project, I knew it was something I wanted to be involved with. There is nothing more important than remembering and honoring those who have come before us, especially those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Having never hiked Mount Katahdin before, I did not plan on leading a group up the mountain, but when I arrived Saturday morning to find that the individuals selected to lead our group up the mountain were unable to attend, I readily accepted when asked if I would take the team lead position. I found it very fitting that I would guide and help others up the trail, just as Aaron would have sought the opportunity to lead from the front. Aaron’s presence was with me throughout the day, and I gladly shared his story with all I encountered before, during and after the hike, encouraging his legacy to live on. Thank you again for the opportunity to get to know Aaron and to ensure that he will always be remembered.
My name is Thomas Steeves I got out of the Army in 2012 and am doing the Hundred Mile Wilderness in July and cant wait to take SFC Henderson with me on my hike. It will be an honor of a life time to take this hero with me. As a vet there are no words to describe how it feels to give back to the service men and women who paid the ultimate price for us. Cant wait.
CPL Banrevy. United States Marine Corps. 0311 Infantry. 2004-2008.
I am eager and proud to carry SFC Aaron A. Henderson’s stone Saturday.
Dear Henderson family,
I got the honor to do The Summit Project with my English and History classes. We are learning about war, and the veterans that served in it. Why do we go to war? What can war do to a person? What sacrifices are they taking when they go to war? Those are only a few things that we are learning in my English and History classes. We are looking at war at a personal level, so we can get an image of what it’s like to be a war veteran. My teachers want us to get an idea of the challenges and sacrifices they take. It’s because of this project that I understand slightly what they go through. I hope I get to learn and understand more about the war veterans and their challenges.
The rock I got was Aaron Henderson’s. I went on the Bangor Daily News, Summit Project, and the Military Times to find out about him. I learned he grew up on a 7th generation farm. I can relate to that because I used to work on a farm. I volunteered to help someone with their horses and chickens over the summer.
Another thing I learned about Aaron is he is a family man. He joined the military in August of 2000. I can imagine how hard that must of been for him. If he is as close to his family as I believe him to be, he must have really wanted to be in the military.
He was in the special forces when he passed away. He died from and IED ( improvised explosion device.) He was severely injured from it, and the injuries were too bad for him to fight through. He was a brave and strong man that made a very brave sacrifice for his country. Thank you to Aaron A. Henderson for protecting me, my friends and family, and for your sacrifice to protect us.
Overall, I am thankful for his sacrifice to his country. I am glad I got to carry his rock up a mountain, and that I got to know some things about him. Even though I never met him, I know he was well loved and loves his family. I’m thankful I got to do the Summit Project, because if I didn’t, I would have never known Aaron Henderson existed.
My name is Alex Breton, Last Friday, I carried Mr. Henderson’s rock up Bradbury Mountain as part of a school event. I enjoyed learning about him and being able to carry his rock, along with sharing about him once we got to the top. The veterans that payed the ultimate price for our country will never be forgotten, and this hike was very somber as people thought about the soldier whose rock they carried. I would have loved to have met Mr. Henderson, he seems to have been a fun guy to know.
In research, I learned that he was someone who liked having fun, and who had a likable personality. I also learned that he played baseball, basketball, and soccer in high school. He graduated from Hodgon High School in 1997. He also cared about his family a lot and loved to play outside when he was younger. I can connect to a lot of that myself, which makes me think that if he was alive and my age, we would have been friends.
I am honored to have had the opportunity to carry Aaron A. Henderson’s rock up Bradbury, and learn about his sacrifice and life prior. I know I speak for everyone else who went on the hike that the soldiers won’t be forgotten.
Dear Family of Aaron Henderson,
I had the honor of carrying Aaron’s stone up Bradbury Mountain in Pownal, Maine on November 14 with two other classmates. As I was climbing up the mountain in the snow and frigid air, I thought about Aaron and how he went through a lot of struggles to do what he did in the Army. It made me think about all the things our Army does for us and to help us keep our freedom, the pain they go through to protect us and let us all be safe.
To his mother Christine, I am extremely sorry for the loss of your son. Carrying his stone up the mountain was a huge blessing, and it made me feel like I knew Aaron. His bravery and his loyalty to this country will forever be remembered by me, and whoever else may get the honor to carry his stone. When I started to do some research on Aaron to get to know him, I found so many interesting facts about him. As I read on, it made me do some thinking. What if I was a mom? What if that was my kid? How would I feel? What would I do? So Christine, I just want you to know you are a brave mother, and it must hurt not having Aaron around anymore, but I can tell you this: Aaron is watching over you and your family, and he loves you very much. Your son will never be forgotten.
Sincerely,
Kirstyn Pelletier
thank you so much for honoring my Aaron by carrying his stone. As I tell everyone – he was a fantastic soldier but an even better son! Thank you for remembering this wonderful man!
It was such an experience. Your son will forever be remembered
I had the honor of carrying Aaron’s stone in a hike of Cadillac Mountain at Acadia National Park on November 22nd, 2014. I grew up in Patten, and I have many connections to the same community that the Henderson Family is a part of in Houlton, ME. Although I did not know Aaron personally, I know many people that were close to him. When given the opportunity to hike this stone up Cadillac last weekend, I gave no thought to the cold conditions or the difficulty of the hike – I thought only of how honored I was to have this opportunity. As I carried his stone up the mountain, I not only thought of Aaron and his sacrifice, but I thought of his family and friends. When people talk about Aaron, I hear stories of how much he loved life and the people he shared it with. I’ve seen his little league team come back together to honor him with the Aaron Henderson Memorial Tournament, leaving his position open for the first inning out of respect for Aaron and the hole that has been left with his loss. I’ve seen people and organizations from across the nation come together and raise thousands in donations for Wounded Warrior Project in Aaron’s name. I’ve seen a community inspired not by Aaron’s loss, but by the life he led and the impact he made during his short time here.
I have no personal stories of time spent with Aaron, but he has still made a difference in my life. I became a part of TSP through my connection to the softball tournament that is held in Aaron’s memory. Aaron’s friend, Brad Fredericks, connected me with David Cote. From there, I knew I had to be a part of TSP. Each step we take is for our fallen heroes and their families, but TSP has also made a difference in my life. I have made new friends that I now consider family and learned so much about Maine’s fallen soldiers. Aaron has impacted my life in ways that will continue to have a ripple effect for years to come. For that and many other reasons, I extend a heartfelt “thank you” to Army Sgt. 1st Class Aaron A. Henderson, to his family, and to those friends he chose to make family. Aaron continues to inspire me to be the type of person that not only does good for the world but causes others to make the decision to step outside of themselves for the benefit of others. His memory will never be forgotten, and he continues to live on through each life he has touched.
To: Kris Henderson
From: Chris Quint
22 April 2015
Dear Kris,
I wanted to write you to share my experience volunteering with the Summit Project back on March 6th.
As you know, I had the distinct honor of carrying Aaronâs stone approximately 6 miles across Portland. I didnât know what to expect when I agreed to do this. Of course I knew about the history of the Summit Project and the Living Memorial and the powerful meaning of the stones, but I didnât truly understand the impact this would have on me.
The day of the march was very cold, yet sunny and blue skis as far as you could see. We started our day by going to the Military Entrance Procession Station to pick up the stones we were going to be carrying that day. Seeing the wall of stones for the first time was moving â more so than I ever thought. It was at this point that I realized the importance of what we were doing that day â honoring the lives of these brave men and women.
At our first stop on the march those of us carrying stones honoring a soldier provided a short reflection on that soldier. When it came to be my turn, a flood of memories of Aaron came back to me. I started thinking about basketball and how Aaron was always the guy who could lighten up any situation, even cause our coach to crack a smile no matter how upset he was at us.
Aaron seemed to bounce as he walked, as if he was so incredibly eager and excited to get to wherever it was he was going. He was a true friend to those who were close to him and he would always stop to say hi to those of us who only saw him on occasion.
I am honored that I was able to carry Aaronâs stone on this march. I feel like I am part of keeping his legacy alive and ensuring that his sacrifice is never forgotten.
Cordially,
Chris Quint
On May 9, 2015, I had the honor of carrying the memorial stone for Aaron during a Hero Run 5K event in Presque Isle. Present at the event was Aaron’s mother Christine, who shared a few stories and memories of her son. Aaron was an unassuming man who most often put others before himself. A willingness to listen, to share and to help were part of who Aaron was. He loved the outdoors and was proud to talk about place he grew up in. When his fellow soldiers from away visited or saw photos they understood what home meant to Aaron. During his 12 years in service to his country, Aaron earned numerous commendations and praise.
The man he was will never be forgotten, and neither will the sacrifice he made.
Respectfully, Don
For the family of Aaron Henderson,
On May 24th, 2015 I had the extreme honor of carrying Aaronâs Summit Project stone up Owl Peak in Baxter State Park. I have volunteered for numerous hikes and adventures with stones over the past year and every one of them I hold special in my heart. This hike was a little different for me as I was asked to be the assistant team lead for Team Red and not just âalong for the hikeâ.
Our team was the first to leave base camp and hit the mountain. We had all been training hard and mentally preparing for our hike, but I found something on the mountain that day I had hidden deep inside me. It was the leadership, friendship, and compassion that Aaron was known for. Always lending a hand to those who needed help and an ear to listen.
In every hike I try to push myself harder physically to go faster and further than the last, but this one ended up being more mentally rewarding. Our team did have an inexperienced hiker on it and we ended up going slower than we had anticipated, but none of us will ever fault her for it. Infact, we all banded together as a very strong team and helped one another to make it up as a team. This is what Aaron was all about.
Everything I have heard and read about him attests to the strong leader he was. His personality was modest, compassionate, and devoted. Many have described him as a kind and generous man that would help out anybody that needed it. My role of ATL on our team put me in a position to help lead us up all the while helping out the other hikers who needed it. I buddied up with our hiker who was having problems and channeled everything I heard about Aaron. I opened my hand to help, was there to offer advice, and provided a good listening ear. I am very happy to say she is looking for her next hike and I made a new friend that afternoon.
Aaronâs sense of duty is admirable. He was highly decorated and strived for the best out of himself. I would like for you to all know that Aaronâs standards and strengths will be living on for a long time in our entire team. Through hardships we learn through each other.
When we reached the summit I had rehearsed a speech to give with his stone. Once the team had assembled and I started hearing the stories of the other fallen soldiers I started to go blank. Once the line reached me to give Aaronâs story I had a hard time speaking. All I could remember was the love Christine had for him and that she would hate for him to be forgotten. As I looked out over the vast green of Maine that day I envisioned him and his brothers as children playing on the family farm. The words I spoke that afternoon were from my heart due to the outpouring of raw emotion I had for you all.
Aaron will never be forgotten. He is loved and we learn from his memory each day to be better people and humble. To always lend the extra hand to those who need it. Thank you for being part of The Summit Project and letting us all carry your burden for a little while.
Much love,
Scott Stitham
We all realize men and women are fighting to keep those who wish to harm us at bay. We all see their ranks, the hats, the parades, the vet license plates, the soldiers who fought and came home who served our country and some of us do our best to thank each soldier for their service. For their sacrifice of life and limb for us…..but there was always some part missing. Some void separating the soldiers who served and the civilians left behind. What is that bubble between us? The Summit Project hike in Acadia has taught me what that void was between us and them – It’s those who didn’t come home. The silent presence we cannot see to thank comes to life again and opens our eyes for a second to see the flickering veil between here and there. In a split second the veil is lifted and the life once lost becomes truly palpable.
I had the honor of getting to know Sargent First Class Aaron Henderson. “How do I connect with someone I haven’t met? How do I get to know someone I never knew?” I started wondering how anyone whom I had never met in person would ever learn who I was – Loved ones. By the voices of those who knew him, who loved him, who are still on earth to share his life and his soul to those left behind. I wrote to Aarons mom to ask her some questions and researched google to find out who Aaron was from those who loved him…and what I found was a spirit still very much alive and speaking clearly to me. A spirit so real and so mirroring my own, I immediately felt connected to a man I never met in person. Aaron had a personality so similar to my own. A spirit so humble and wanting to shift the attention onto the person he was with instead of himself. Well…this is a classic case of me as well. Flood a person with questions so the focus is off of you in a conversation. How would Aaron treat my stone if we were reversed in this journey….
I started the day off being greeted by other families I had met up at Katadhin in the springtime for TSP when I was a stay behind photographer. A warm family welcome before picking up Aarons stone. A stone from the family farm…a generational Mainer like myself. Deep roots to home. To family. To faith. I’m not one who is going to shy away from faith or God in this write up….I believe God has a way of using nature to mimic what we are experiencing emotionally in our lives. We are all so connected to the land we come from…we try so hard to not be with manmade wonders, but our roots are with the land. So I was not surprised our journey with TeamKEBO had an array of weather changes while we climbed to the top. An emotional trek.
I was afraid of not being respectful if I was too excited or happy on the hike, but it was clear early on that our team wanted to remember we are here to experience all of the joy life can give us together. All the laughter our soldiers gave their lives for us to keep. A team ALL of our soldiers would have connected with immediately.
When we exited the bus that dropped us off at the trailhead, a slight misty rain started falling on us immediately after our team photo was taken. The rain making our hike a little slower at the get-go so as to not fall and have an injury.
I decided halfway up the mountain I wanted to hold Aarons stone close to me while I hiked and took it out of my backpack to hold it in my hand. Our team leader let us know we could all go at our own pace and he would continue to go up and down the mountain to make sure and do a headcount, but our team wasn’t ones to stray far from each other. Stopping to enjoy the beautiful fall hike and take in the leaves or the misty fog hitting the waters edge, or stopping for snacks and a water break, perhaps a team photo “Making memories!”. We never wanted to be far away from each other as a unit. A quality I see the men and women we were honoring would instinctually do as well.
The moment we reached the halfway mark up the hill, the rain stopped, the sun peeked out and a beautiful full arched rainbow hit the sky over the Atlantic ocean. The journey started in sadness, but ended in a promise of light. The second the rainbow came out, I felt like something lifted off of us. Not just the symbolic nature of the cloud, but the presence of something greater reminding us we aren’t alone on this journey. Aaron’s stone started out heavy and cold on me, but by the time we were nearly at the top, the weight of the stone was almost like an extension of my own body. It shocked me. It had become my own body temperature..I know I was holding the rock in my hand, but the more I held it, the more it just became part of who I was…it just became part of me.
At the summit, we all gathered around to share who we had with us. Each person explaining the life of the soldier who could no longer speak for themselves, and one by one the veil was lifted on that void between the living and the left behind. Each soldier shifting from a cold stone into a tangible presence joining our circle, becoming part of each of us and our own life stories…joining us in our memorial.
Back on the bus and to base camp to give the stones back to the families and patriot riders, TeamKebo sat at the back and when we rounded the corner and saw the firetrucks blaring. In the spirit of our team….a big portion immediately jumped into the service role “What’s wrong?? Something happened…We need to help!” and another team on the bus reminded us it was our hometown greeting. Nothing bad, but happy. We all sat back and watched outside the foggy bus windows at the big group of smiling faces, clapping our return and waving american flags. As I sat with Aarons rock on my lap, it hit me so hard……”This was HIS hometown greeting he never able to come back to receive.” and for the first time that day, the tears fell down my face. For a split second, I felt like I was viewing thru my eyes a part of his life he should’ve been receiving, just a second on that bus with the blurry faces of Americans holding him up in honor, a man they didn’t know and yet cheered on like a warrior….I knew I had seen beyond the veil and looked directly into the soul of a man who laid down his life for his friends.
âHe was all about family and he would do anything for anybodyâŠpeople were drawn to him because he showed compassion and kindnessâŠâ As a parent, I know what those words mean and I know where they come from. These words were etched in my mind and heart as I received the memorial stone of Sergeant 1st Class Aaron Henderson this past Memorial Day weekend.
My name is Alain Ouellette and my wife Louise and I make our home in Fort Kent. Aroostook County is a special place for us because we chose to return to our home to raise our five children.
As I carried Aaronâs memorial stone to the summit of Owl Mountain, I was reminded of Aaronâs family life and it clearly brought to light the very traits we as parents all strive to instill in our own childrenâŠa deep attachment to oneâs home and family, a genuine interest in those around, and a personal commitment to serving a cause greater than oneself. The embodiment of all such attributes were what made Aaron special to his family and all those who had the privilege of knowing him.
While I did not have the honor of meeting Aaron, I did work albeit for a brief time with his father Dallas, when he served as a board member of SADC. A quiet man, but one with deep convictions about the future of southern Aroostook and what he felt made it such a special place. I believe Aaron carried these very traits in every aspect of his brief life on this earth.
To have had the privilege of carrying Aaronâs memorial stone is one I will remember fondly. I end my personal tribute to Sergeant 1st Class Aaron Henderson with a prayer⊠Dear Father, keep close to Your heart all of the brave soldiers that have fallen in the line of duty; they are heroes in heaven now, but we must always remember their unselfish sacrifice here on earth; may God protect them, Amen.
On Sunday, May 28 2017, I had the honor and privilege of carrying the stone and story of Army Sergeant First Class Aaron A. Henderson up to the summit of Owl Mountain in Baxter State Park. Aaron, originally from Houlton, Maine, paid the ultimate sacrifice on October 2, 2012 while deployed in Afghanistan. He was a man with many noble traits, among them humility, selflessness, and leadership.
Aaron was the perfect soldier. He thrived on learning and achieving, and he strived to master any certification the Army offered to him. Underwater rescue, ranger, airborne qualified, special forces â he excelled as a Green Barret and was very well respected in his field. Despite all his success, Aaron was incredibly humble. Until his passing, his family wasnât even aware of the many honors and awards he had earned throughout his years of service. With his humility came selflessness. Aaron was the type of person who was concerned about those around him over himself. If he asked you how you were doing, he genuinely wanted to know. If a conversation put him in the spotlight, he was always able to find a way to spin it and place the focus on others.
Aaron is best described as a leader: someone who instills in his team camaraderie, confidence and courage. Aaronâs nickname in the Army was âGlue-manâ because he was the one who always held his team together. At their low points, it was Aaron who spoke out to his teammates and made jokes to lighten the mood, unifying them and reminding them that they had and could rely on one another. Aaron also felt strongly about supporting the men and women below him. As an experienced soldier with multiple deployments behind him, Aaron was known to step up and join extra missions to teach and to ensure the younger teams felt well prepared for the field.
A leader is someone who inspires others to be better versions of themselves. Aaron did that in the Army, and he is still doing it today. As I remember all I learned about Aaron, I will strive to mimic his humility and altruistic nature. I will think of him and tell his story frequently, and I will ensure that he is never forgotten.
Thank you, Christine, for allowing me to honor your beloved son at Baxter. It was a Memorial Day weekend I will not forget.
Always,
Clare
On July 6, 2017, I had the privilege of hiking up Cadillac Mountain with eight other women, all carrying stones of beloved soldiers. I was honored to carry the rock of Sargent First Class Aaron Henderson.
I am proud to have grown up in Aroostook County. I chose to carry Aaronâs stone with me because I know what County people are like. As I read more about Aaron, I found out what an outstanding young man he was.
I love that when he would ask someone how they were, he truly listened to the answer. I was moved by his courage and bravery and his willingness to do another tour because he felt he could make a difference. I was impressed by his humility, and the fact that he knew he did his job extremely well was more important to him than telling everyone about his many decorations and honors. I was brought to tears by the line in his obituary âHe was easy to loveâ. It was clear to me that he was loved by so very many.
Our hike took place on a beautiful summer day. We met many people on the Cadillac South Ridge Trail. We had taped flags to our backpacks so many people asked us why. All were grateful for our hike and The Summit Project, but they were most grateful for the service of your son. At the top of the mountain we placed the rocks in a circle and each of us spoke about our fallen hero. It was a solemn, moving moment.
I am so appreciative of your sonâs sacrifice and of your familyâs sacrifice, too. Thank you, and God bless you.
On 14 October 2017, I had the honor to carry the memorial stone of Aaron Henderson up Cadillac Mountain at the annual TSP event at Acadia National Park. Having the opportunity to carry his stone at one of the two major annual TSP events so close to his âangelversaryâ was an amazing experience for me.
Just over 5 years ago when Aaron was killed fighting for a cause he truly believed to be just in his heart, I was also deployed and remember well calling my father to tell him about Aaronâs passing as I didnât want him to hear about it on the news. We chatted a bit about our memories of him from years ago before his military days. Dad mostly remembered him as a stellar athlete, good man, and a model student. I remember most the rivalry on the soccer field as he played for Hodgdon and I played for Houlton. Everyone I speak to, always has such fond memories of him.
Prior to the event, I was able to reconnect with Aaronâs mother, Christine, and talk with her about her son. I asked one thing that she would like to share that maybe she hadnât previously said. She told me that Aaron had accomplished so many things in his career but she knew of very few until after he had passed. She reminded me that we need to celebrate our accomplishments while we can and to share them with the ones we love. I found this an important bit to share and have continued to remind others since the day she reminded me. All too often we get caught up in our daily lives and forget to celebrate our accomplishments, no matter how small, and that a little recognition goes a long ways.
I want to take a moment to thank Christine for taking the time to talk to me, and TSP for having the vision to honor Maineâs Heroes and to allow us to take part in ensuring that we continue to remember and that they will never be forgotten.
-Donny
On 27 May 2018 had the honor of carrying Aaron’s stone up the Owl trail in Baxter State Park. It was a beautiful day and a great experience to climb with a group of individuals who had come together for the sole purpose of honoring Maineâs Fallen Heroes. When we reached the summit we sat in a circle and shared our stories of how our Honorees had lived. It was quite an experience! I wish I could say more but so much has been written about Aaron already. From a personal perspective Iâll tell you that for me, a prior service Army NCO whoâs spent most of his career taking care of Soldiers, I felt it was my duty to carry Aaronâs story.
My final thought is to tell you about a picture of Aaron that I found during my research and spoke about up on the mountain. The picture shows Aaron in his combat gear, leaning back against a berm, hot, dirty, sporting a full beard and the look of total focus on his face. Right in the middle of his chest was the Maine state flag patch stuck to his gear. I think that picture summed up your son the most.
On 9 September 2018, I had the honor of carrying Aaron’s stone on the 911 heroes run in Bangor. This was my first experience with the Summit project and Travis Manion. I was so deeply moved by all of the posters with the pictures and brief descriptions of the fallen lining the sides of the river walk in Bangor, that I was compelled to join in this event. I noticed the Summit tent with the memorial stones when I was registering for the 5k run and Betsy gave Aaron’s stone for me to carry.
Something came over me while I was holding Aaron’s stone. Somehow I ran faster than I had in years and stayed close to the runner carrying the flag throughout the 5K. Even though I never met Aaron, it seemed like his spirit was running with me.
When I later researched Aaron, I realized that his personality was very similar to my late Father. A fun loving guy who was all about family and would do anything for anybody who needed help. Aaron truly was a remarkable man.
Aaron was also remarkable in his service to our Country. He volunteered for Special Forces and Green Beret assignments and successfully completed many special training courses. His multiple military medals and awards are a testament to his character.
I am thankful that the Summit project has given ordinary people the chance to better understand and show respect for our fallen heroes.
I sincerely appreciate your son’s and family’s sacrifice for our Country. My thoughts are with you. May God bless all of you.
Bill
On September 29th, 2018 I had the honor and privilege of carrying the stone and story of Army Sgt. 1st Class Aaron A. Henderson at Acadia National Park. Aaron served our nation for 12 years during which he spent time in Japan, Jordan, Iraq and Afghanistan. He achieved remarkable success in his military career. He completed Special Forces training and became a Green Beret and received, amongst many other accolades, a Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart. However, from what I understand, listing all of Aaronâs decorations would not be representative of his humble personality.
I never had the opportunity to meet Aaron or his family but there are a few words that are consistently used to describe him. First, Aaron is remembered for his great humility despite being a great soldier, leader, athlete and student. Despite his accomplishments, Aaron was not one to call attention to himself but was, instead, genuinely curious and concerned about others. In fact, even Aaronâs closest family members were unaware of many of his military achievements until after his passing. Aaron is also remembered for his selflessness as a soldier, leader, friend, son and brother which might be best exemplified by his volunteering to deploy in order to mentor junior soldiers. His selflessness also earned him the nickname âglue-manâ for his ability to bring a group together and put a smile on peopleâs faces no matter the situation.
Hiking Aaronâs stone at Acadia for my first TSP event was truly an honor in a way that I cannot fully articulate to someone who has not experienced it. Having read about Aaron, other TSP heroes and the experiences of past hikers, I thought I had an idea what to expect. In reality, I was completely unprepared for how powerful and emotional the experience of sharing these heroesâ stories was. Our team brought together unique perspectives and points of view ranging from those of civilians like myself, to those of veterans, to those of Gold Star families who continue to grieve after a loss that simply canât be returned. Although it is devastating to hear someone share the experience of losing a loved one and the emptiness it leaves behind, I think itâs important that we listen to these stories and remember that behind every Gold Star is a network of people whose lives will never be the same. I would like to thank Aaronâs family for participating in TSP and sharing the story of their loved one so that people like myself can do our best to learn about, appreciate and pass on the spirit an incredible man. On this date 6 years ago, Aaron paid the ultimate sacrifice. I canât begin to imagine the pain it caused then or the pain it leaves behind today but I what I can say is that there are people out there that think about him and remember what heâs done for all of us. Thank you.
Chris,
Yours are eloquent words about a terrible loss. I am extremely proud of you. Love, Dad.
On November 10, I had the honor and pleasure to hike Blue Hill Mountain with an incredible group of people carrying Aaronâs stone, his memory, and his story with me. I couldnât have been more proud to have been a part of it. All the while I carried Aaron, a comment made from a friend and fellow soldier stuck with me â âAaron was a bad ass and a gentlemanâ. What a complement to receive. From what I have learned about Aaron, he would have done anything for anyone in need. He clearly fought for his country with the same attitude of which he lived his life. Not long after the hike, I received word from one of my friends that he, too, new Aaronand had grown up with him in the town of Houlton. He put me in contact with Aaronâs sister and we were able to have a brief exchange .
She thanked me for remembering âour Aaronâ in this way, but the honor was all mine. To Aaronâs family-his story and life will stay with me. Although I did not have the pleasure of knowing him, I feel as though I do now.
On November 11, 2018, I had he honor and privilege of carrying Army Sgt. 1st Class Aaron A. Henderson’s stone during the Veteran’s Remembrance 4-miler run in Ellsworth. During those four miles I had the chance to reflect on the ultimate sacrifice that this young man made to defend our country and preserve our freedoms. It is because of extraordinary individuals like Aaron that we are able to sleep peacefully at night. I will never forget this experience and we must never forget Army Sgt. 1st Class Aaron A. Henderson. Thoughts and prayers to his family.
I had the honor and privilege of carrying Aaronâs stone on December 28, 2018 at the Millinocket marathon and half.
As we woke in the slate gray early morning hours and began to don our running gear, we checked the weather to confirm the forecast of frigid cold temps. Two years earlier in Millinocket, it was a similar situation and I vividly recalled how relentlessly brutal the wind was along the course. Even for a seasoned, Vermont runner, that day is stuck in my mind’s eye as the coldest I have ever been. Brilliant sunshine and sub-zero temperatures awaited again today.
As I prepared my running vest, I was so proud to take the extra step of displaying Old Glory on the back for all to see. Pulling my jacket’s zipper as high up as I could, wishing it would continue up and over my chin, my running partners and I walked out the door knowing what to expect again this year.
Outside, I leaned my small frame into the wind as I made my way to the start line. With Aaronâs stone in my pack, I toed the line, I knew today’s weather would be similar to years past, but the race itself would be very different..
Aaron made the ultimate sacrifice for his country. A thought I kept in mind during the entire race – for me, a short one, ‘just’ a half marathon… 13.1 miles. Even in Millinocket’s breath-stealing temperatures and wind, I was overwhelmed with pride to be carrying this stone. I normally forego aid stations with the exception of thanking volunteers. Typically wearing my vest, I am self-supported with all the ‘fuel’ and fluids needed for a run. But on this day, I stopped at each of them to mention Aaron’s name and chat briefly about the Summit Project. We also paused to take in the beautiful site of Mount Katahdin and my eyes welled at the thought that the service, bravery and ultimate sacrifice of Aaron, and his brothers & sisters in arms, are what provide us the freedom to run these races and take in the natural beauty of our land. Moving on from that vista, I started to smile again and offered High-Fives to all those who came out to cheer us on – so many little ones! Momentarily, I put away my emotions to finish this race strong and dedicate myself to this task as a nod to the unwavering dedication of our fallen heroes. It was my turn to represent Aaron, as he had done for all Americans.
Crossing the finish line, I realized I had barely noticed the cold . I felt the warm feeling emanating from inside of me. I noticed my chest puffed out a little more than usual. And in that moment, I was excite to write this essay to express my feelings on this day – of sharing my immense pride in this opportunity. Thank you for the honor of allowing me to be a small part of the Summit Project and take Aaron’s memory on this journey. Thank you for the honor of allowing me to carry this American hero’s stone across the finish line.
On the day I found out I would be carrying the stone of Sergeant first class, special forces group, Aaron A. Henderson of Holton Maine I started my research. Immediately I knew he was in no way an ordinary man in the military. His commitment was above and beyond. Coming from Holton Maine, he excelled in everything he did. From re-enlisting four times, being the best of the best and having the back of anybody he was with. This country, this state of Maine, this town of Holton and most importantly his family will be missing a most extraordinary young man. It was heartwarming to hear that his memorial service had the whole community there in a big way. That he is honored and remembered with a softball tournament and a 5K race, with all the proceeds going to his military brothers, shows even in spirit, his legacy continues and he continues to inspire!
I am most sorry for your loss, but most grateful for his commitment. He must never be forgotten, never!
On June 5th 2019 I had the privilege of carrying SGT. 1st Class Aaron A. Hendersonâs stone. I carried it along with my JROTC class from Nokomis Regional High. On the trek up tumbledown mountain I wanted to stop and quit before reaching the summit. But that is not what he would stand for. He gave his life for freedom so the least I could do was honor his sacrifice and the bravery he went through by climbing 3000â. From what I read Aaron was a man’s man; he didn’t shy away from doing what his country asked of him.
I had the honor and privilege of hiking Aaronâs memorial stone at the TSP event at ANP. It was a beautiful day with perfect weather for our accent of the Tarn trail. Iâve hiked quite a few trails and this one is fairly difficult with long steep climbs that are strenuous and as I got tired I just kept going and thinking how Aaron pushed himself to succeed in the Army.
Aaron and I had lots in common from our love of sports and the outdoors to working on a family farm as kids. I feel as though if we had ever met we would have became friends.
I my eyes ,from everything I read, Aaron was truly a humble person and a man of GREAT VALOR! Hopefully someday I will meet some of his family at a TSP event and learn more about him. I have a feeling there are MANY great stories and memories to be heard. Iâll carry Aaronâs memory with me all over this great country of ours and speak of him and all the other soldiers from Maine that Iâve hiked and learned about. MHANF
On Saturday & Sunday, November 9th & 10th, I was honored to carry the stone and story of United States Army Sgt. 1st Class Aaron Henderson for the Veterans weekend Blue Hill Mountain hike and Ellsworth YMCA Veterans Remembrance 4 Miler. When I found out I would be carrying Aaronâs stone and story, I began my research and was totally in awe of Aaronâs incredible accomplishments. As I was putting together my notes to share with the hiking group, I wanted everyone to be aware of the amazing soldier (and human) Aaron was and how his life impacted the people he came into contact with in such a positive way. I started listing Aaronâs military awards and commendations and soon realized that my fellow hikers might freeze as I read them all, so I emphasized that Aaron was a highly decorated soldier. It was very heartwarming to learn that Aaronâs nickname was âGlue Manâ and how he was known for his ability to hold his team together. It was apparent that Aaron was a strong and dedicated soldier who earned the respect of those around him. I took special note that Aaron grew up on a family farm and had a great appreciation and love for all things âoutdoorsâ. I also grew up on a family farm and imagine that Aaronâs willingness to work hard to get things done came naturally to him because of that. It was very humbling to learn about a young man who was bright and brave and could have done anything he set out to do and his choice was to join the Army to serve and protect our country. I have great respect for all who serve or have served in our armed forces. Aaron will always be an American Hero and we all owe him our gratitude and respect beyond measure. We also owe your family that same measure of gratitude and respect. My heart breaks for your loss. #mhanf
Dearest family and friends of Aaron –
I am struggling to find the words to sum up my experience with Aaron, his stone, and his story. I think this struggle stems from the fact that I know our time together is not officially over! This year I was blessed with the honor of carrying the stone and story of Aaron, but our amazing Memorial Day weekend at Baxter State Park was snuffed out by the craziness that is Covid-19. I had done my research, prepared my summit top words, and was so very ready to get my hands on that stone. Aaron was to join me and my amazing team on the Rainbow Lake trail. I was the assistant team lead for this hike and I can’t tell you what an amazing team and trail we had. I have hiked that trail before and it is magical, green and lush, and oh so perfect to really get lost in your thoughts about your hero. Apparently this simply was not meant to be! However, that didn’t mean that I wasn’t going to fulfil my promise to honor Aaron. As soon as I heard that BSP was a no go I immediately started trying to think of how I could make this happen! I started in early May by doing some short rucks with a little weight in my pack, so I could start othe feel the physical presence. I have two children and they wanted in on this so they started walking with me, carrying a pound or two in their packs too! We would talk about the Summit Project and what we were rucking for. As the weeks passed I came to the conclusion that over Memorial Day weekend the kids and I would hike up Blue HIll Mountain, and in my pack I would carry 33 pounds to represent the age Aaron was when he gave the ultimate sacrifice for our great country!
And so on Sunday, May 24th, the day we should have been hiking as a group, I loaded up our packs and we headed for the mountain. My kids proudly carried their packs wth their water and snacks and an additional 5lbs each and I tossed my pack on my back with the 33lbs and we headed up the trail. We took the well known and “easy” service trail as I know we would all quickly feel the weight we rwere carrying. The mountain was busy and we gathered a lot of looks as we all had flags on our packs waving in the breeze and I carried an 8×10 print of Aaron’s stone. We had some educational moments along the trail after were greeted by a tribe of little girls who very exuberantly wished everyone they saw a “Happy Memorial Day”. I smiled and waved and we carried on up the trail. On the next little break I took that as the perfect opportunity to further educate my son (almost 7) and daughter (8.5) on the meaning of Memorial Day and what we really were there to do. We continued on after our break and reached the summit where we were met with clear blue skies and warm sunshine. We took some time to kick back and enjoy the beautiful view, have some snacks, and regroup. We took turns taking pics with our American Flags and the picture of Aaron’s stone. At one point a wonderful woman cautiously approached us (at a safe distance) and asked if we would like a family picture, she could take it with her phone and text it to me. As we chatted about what we were doing she noted that she thought she may know a man that played a role in the Summit Project, his name was Dave. Yes, we managed to run into a woman who knew Major Dave! After our little rest we loaded up and sought out a quiet spot away from the other hikers where we sat down and had our circle. My kiddos sat so quietly and listened so well as I told them all about Aaron, his service, his sacrifice, who he was as a man. At the end we listened to our favorite version of our National Anthem and had a long moment of silent reflection on Aaron and all the others who we honor on Memorial Day. The three of us were quiet as we started back down the hill. The circle is always emotional, but to share this with my children was an experience like no other. About half way down my son was tired and had an ankle that was bothering him, my daughter chimed in and reminded him of the pain she thought Aaron and his family had experienced, my boy stood up a little taller and carried on, without complaints. It was at that moment that I realized that I was meant to share Aaron with my children on that mountain. I had been so very sad to not be with my TSP family that weekend, to not get my hands on Aaron’s stone, but it all made sense finally.
That was just the first chapter in my story with Aaron. I will be an ATL for our team when TSP returns to Acadia this fall, and I will finally get to connect with his stone. I cannot wait for that connection and the ability to summit with him again. Until then, and beyond, I will continue to share his story and assure that his life is celebrated and never forgotten <3.Â
On Saturday September 26th I had the overwhelming joy of finally connecting with Aaron’s stone! As I wrote in the letter above, I had been slated to carry Aaron on the Rainbow Lake trail when TSP had their Memorial Day weekend event at Baxter State Park, but … covid. I still honored Aaron over Memorial Day, but it just wasn’t the same because I wasn’t able to hold that stone in my hands and feel that physical connection.Â
But on Saturday I did and it was a raw emotional experience right from the moment I hit the road heading to Smugglers Den to meet up with the rest of my team. Originally I had planned to carry the 33lbs in my pack once again, but at the last minute I was moved into the Team Lead position for Team Blackwood. I knew we were hiking the “easiest” trail up Cadillac Mountain but I also knew that the weight would be a large challenge for me and I now had 11 people relying on me to lead the way. So I left the weight at home and headed to the island. About 15 minutes from the campground the tears hit. I had been waiting since March to get my hand on Aaron’s stone and to summit with it and the time was finally here, that realization opened the floodgates. I composed myself before arriving at camp and found my teammates. What a team we had. Aaron and I were in amazing company for our hike both in the team there with us and the other heroes being honored. Â
We made our way up the Southridge Trail which is absolutely beautiful. It is the longest trail but it’s a fairly gradual path to the summit. Along the way I thought so much about Aaron, his life, and what he stood for. I felt the weight of his beautiful stone in my pack and when we stopped for pictures I found myself reluctant to tuck it back in my pack. I know Aaron was with me that day as my team and I made our way to the summit of Cadillac Mountain, not a doubt in my mind. At our circle I was the first one to speak. I talked about Aaron, his life, his career, his death, and what he had brought to my life. I talked about our experiences over Memorial Day and how I realized that it was all part of the greater plan, allowing me to share Aaron with my children. So many tears fell as I talked. I found it hard to imagine what Aaron’s family and friends went through and continue to go through after losing him. I was grateful for my opportunity to honor Aaron and to share his story, but oh how I wished there was never a need to do so.
After our amazing circle we boarded the bus and headed back for our return ceremony. It was not the traditional ceremony we normally have, but the TSP folks made it as perfect as it possibly could be for such a strange event so drastically affected by Covid. The hardest part of the day was when they called Aaron’s name and I had to place his stone back on the table. It was time for my goodbye. My time with his stone was over, and with tears rolling, I gently set his stone down on the table and gave it one final touch goodbye. This mission was complete but my time with Aaron will never end. He will forever be in my heart and I will continue to share his story to assure his life is celebrated and he is never forgotten.
Thank you to Aaron’s family for being part of The Summit Project and allowing hikers like myself to learn about him and share his story far and wide <3
To the family of Sgt. 1st Class Aaron Henderson,
I had the privilege of learning about Aaronâs life and carrying his stone as part of the Ruck to Remember on May 30th. In a world that feels really crazy and unsettling right now, the things Aaron held dear and the values he lived by were a simple reminder of whatâs important â God, Family, Country, Compassion and Kindness.
As we neared the end of the 16 miles in the cold and rain, feet and legs starting to hurt, I remembered a quote I read about Aaron loving life and living it with an enthusiasm that was contagious. It was the encouragement I needed.
Thank you for sharing Aaronâs life with all of us.
Hello, Iâm Sarah Hubbard and I was given the opportunity to carry SFC Aaron Henderson’s stone with a group of fellow JROTC cadets up Tumbledown Mountain on May 25, 2022. As my first year in The Summit Project, I was honored to carry his stone and share his story. Sharing why he was known-as a compassionate individual who would help anyone. While climbing I had this feeling, the feeling that I was being silently encouraged up the mountain. At the top, I was able to reflect on how he was compassionate and selfless until the end, SFC Aaron Henderson will always be remembered.
On Saturday September 24, 2022, I had the great honor of carrying the stone and story of Army Sgt. 1st Class Aaron Henderson to the Summit of Cadillac Mountain with TSP ANP. This was my fourth hike with TSP and it just keeps getting more personal and inspiring each time to honor those that devoted their lives to protect ours and to be certain that theyâre not forgotten!
I was told when I first started doing this hike that the stone picks you. For me that has been true on my first three hikes and I feel it is no different on my fourth. Like Aaron, I too served in the military. I served in the Marine Corp and Maine Army National Guard in which I deployed to Iraq. Reading through other reflections it was said how he used to putter around the barn. I do not have a barn but I too like to putter around in my basement workshop. It relaxes me and brings me to a good place. I can imagine it did the same for Aaron as well. Aaron seems to be someone I could have gotten along quite well with. From all that I read, he was just an all-around good person, as a civilian and soldier!
In closing, I would like to say to his family and friends (both civilians and military) I am sorry for your loss. For those like me that never got to meet Aaron, it is unfortunate we never had the opportunity to know such a great person and soldier! Learning about Aaron and his story has been an honor for me.
âIGY6â – this phrase âI got your 6â, the 6 means your back (most people know this but not all). I guess if I were asked to sum up Aaron, my answer would be he was âIGY6â type of person! Now, we got your 6 here Sgt. 1st Class Aaron Henderson. I can only believe that youâre up there watching backs just as you did while you were here with us. Your story lives on brother! âThis Weâll Defendâ Hooah!!!
Very Respectfully,
Robert Martel
CPL USMC
SSGT MEANG (RET)
September 24, 2023
To the Family of Army Sgt 1st Class Aaron A. Henderson
Yesterday, Saturday September 23, 2023 I had the distinct honor of carrying Aaronâs stone and sharing his story as part of The Summit Project. I was on Team White that hiked the North Ridge trail up Cadillac Mountain. I kept hearing that the stone picks the hiker and I believe it. I was stunned when I was assigned to carry Aaronâs stone as I immediately recognized his name. As I went online to do research on Aaron it was confirmed that he was the young man from Hodgdon that I remembered.
My name is Jane Root. I lived in Houlton from 1981 â 2013. I raised my three kids in Houlton. Their last name is Doolen. My oldest graduated from Houlton High School the same year that Aaron graduated from Hodgdon High School. I remember Dallas from my years in Houlton and was saddened to see online that he has also passed.
Although I did not know Aaron during his lifetime I now feel a deep connection to him and through him to his family. Aaron has not been forgotten as a Maine Hero and he now lives in my heart as well.
With deep respect,
Jane