Hodgdon No. 33 jersey retired

Pioneer Times photograph/Gloria Austin
REMEMBERING AARON — Hodgdon High School remembered Sergeant First Class Aaron Henderson, who was killed in Afghanistan, with the retirement of his old playing jersey No. 33. Receiving his away jersey is Henderson’s mother, Chris,  along with, from left, Sam, Kiley, Mia and Daniel Henderson.
By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
    It’s only been two months since Christine Henderson suffered devastating news that her youngest son, Aaron, had been killed by an improvised explosive device while serving his country in the United States Army in Afghanistan.
    With a mournful heart, Henderson endured a long greeting line at Aaron’s funeral and then was barely breathing through the heartrending burial ceremony — the melancholy tones of Taps on the bugle and the presentation of the American flag — surreal emotions in a very real heartbreaking account.
    Gripping the flag, Henderson’s strength almost gone, she stood.
    Last Saturday night at Hodgdon High School, those mending scars were again opened in view of the community during a simple tribute of respect and heartfelt remembrance.
    SAD 70 teacher Brian Fitzpatrick welcomed those in attendance to Aaron Henderson Night.
    Sergeant First Class Henderson graduated from Hodgdon in1997. He was an all-around student-athlete during his four years of high school, playing soccer, baseball and basketball. He was also a member of the 1995 and ‘96 state championship basketball teams.
    “Hodgdon High School would like to honor the memory of this incredibly brave and truly unselfish hero,” Fitzpatrick said.
    As the honor guard stood at attention on the hardwood and everyone stood in the gymnasium, Hodgdon Athletic Director Wayne Quint, hugged Christine and handed her Aaron’s basketball traveling jersey No. 33 to an applause of recognition and appreciation for the ultimate sacrifice of country and home.
    The home white jersey is framed and hangs in the school gymnasium.
    “It is with our immeasurable gratitude to Aaron, for all that he has meant, and will continue to mean to this school, we retire his No. 33 for all time. No one will ever wear the No. 33 jersey again,” Fitzpatrick said.