Always ready to give
A tribute to IFD Captain and Indiana National Guard Sergeant Gary Henry
Gary Henry got up every day ready to do whatever it took to save the lives of others. Known for accepting all challenges, Gary Henry was a firefighter and a citizen soldier.
And he lived his life always ready to give his life.
The 12-year Indianapolis firefighter veteran and sergeant in the Indiana Army National Guard deployed to Iraq in March 2008 with the 38th Military Police Company out of Danville. Sgt. Henry turned 34 in May. He gave his life on August 4.
Friday, August 15, hundreds of family members, friends and colleagues gathered at Greenwood Christian Church to honor the dedicated warrior lost to a roadside bomb. Governor Mitch Daniels and Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard along with military and Indianapolis Fire Department personnel were on hand to extend condolences to his family. The sidewalks leading into the church were lined with bold stars and stripes, each flag proudly gripped by a patriot guard motorcyclist or National Guard service member.
Anchoring the memorial service, IFD Chaplain Don Nezba noted, “Gary was an encourager.” He used jokes to lift the spirits and encourage others. He kept everyone in stitches. Behind his sense of humor was a deep sense of caring.
Continuing the service, Henry’s best friend John Reynolds said, “We’re mourning his death, but maybe we should be celebrating his life.” Reynolds summed up Henry as funny, meticulous and a perfectionist. “He was a hero to me before he went off to war,” said Reynolds. “I’ll miss him every day for the rest of my life.” The friends had agreed to never say goodbye. So Reynolds left the podium with their usual, agreed on parting phrase: “I’ll see you later.”
Henry’s father, Gary L. Henry of Franklin, said his son felt called to go, to serve in the National Guard for a second time, even when family members begged him to seriously think through reenlisting. After September 11, 2001, firefighter Henry wanted to do more. He worried that his recent bout with cancer would disqualify him from further military service. However, the National Guard worked with him during that process to realize his dream his again becoming active Guard.
Noting his son’s persistence was evident in childhood, Gary Henry said his son also had a knack for “teasing his family coming and going.” Everyone had to watch out for his pranks. But, as the grieving father said: “He always made me proud.”
Closing his remarks, the father glanced at the flag-draped casket to his right. “There’s my son,” he said simply. As the father prepared to leave the podium, he finished with, “Thank you very much.” The hushed audience inwardly agreed with the lone voice from the back of the room: “Thank YOU.”
Both the Indiana governor and the Indianapolis mayor brought heartfelt respects from grateful citizens. Governor Daniels observed Captain Henry had two brotherhoods of service, firefighting and the military: “Even in his private life, Gary Henry chose service.”
Mayor Ballard spoke of revered character qualities: leadership, sacrifice, bravery, service, patriotism. “How do you define (such terms)?” Answering his question, Mayor Ballard quietly said, “You do it by celebrating the life of Gary M. Henry.”
Fire captain Gary Henry was well known for his practical jokes, his intense commitment to perfection, and his persistence in training in order to always be ready to save lives. Over the years, he relentlessly pursued becoming the best possible firefighter, paramedic, and emergency diver. He developed into an excellent trainer and administrator, finally becoming IFD special operations rescue coordinator. His infamous sense of humor was only exceeded by his notoriety for perfection.
Henry’s wife Gina shared during the service: “He is without a doubt, my forever, my soul mate …”
Displaying noticeable composure, Henry’s teen daughter Shelby, the oldest of three children, recalled special moments about her father. A main one was driving in the car. “He was so goofy,” she laughed. “Blaring his loud rock music… beating on the steering wheel… like it was drums… he would sing to us.” Christmas was fun too. Shelby told how her dad would wake the kids (Shelby, brother Gavin and sister Ashton) on Christmas morning, armed with a video camera. The “biggest kid” would poke the camera in their faces. Let’s get up and get going!
Shelby has authored several poignant poems. She read from two during the service. Her “My Dad is a Hero” begins: “On August 4 my daddy was sent to a place far from here. …He was only thirty-four. …How could they do this? … Who will walk me down the aisle? …The world saw him as a hero, but he was more than that. He was my dad, a son, a brother … I just want him back again. My dad was a hero. He died for his country.”
Henry wrote his stepfather in July 2008, barely a week before his death: “This is a life-changing experience that I do not regret. … Sleep well at night because me and my boys are on watch.”
Gary Michael Henry: May 5, 1974 to August 4, 2008.
Always ready to give.
