Mike Henderson:
CLASS OF 1978
Bishop Watterson High SchoolClass of 1978
Columbus, OH
Mike's Story
During high school I didn't have my head screwed on straight but I guess a lot of us could say that. ÃÂ Dropping out of school was one of the dumbest things I ever did but joining the Army was the saving grace.
I spent a total of 8 years in the military. ÃÂ The last 3 years I was selected for a new and unique division, PSD, Personal Security Division. ÃÂ In a nutshell I was a body guard for high ranking officials and any visiting dignitaries such as congressmen, ambassadors and senators who were traveling to NATO locations. ÃÂ This meant that I wore civilian clothes, was trained by security agencies from England, Germany, and the US on shooting, driving, hand to hand, security assessment, etc. ÃÂ I traveled to Africa, and all around Europe.ÃÂ
It was in the Army that I met my wife, Crystal. ÃÂ She is a West Point graduate and officer. ÃÂ Because our chain of command did not intersect we were able to date and after 8 months marry. ÃÂ What is stranger is that I was stationed at West Point prior to being sent to Germany and Crystal was there but we never met. ÃÂ It did help me to understand what it was like to be a cadet but more importantly a woman at what traditional has been a boys school.
Crystal and I have been married for 25 plus years now. ÃÂ We don't have any children. ÃÂ T...Expand for more
he reason is because when we had decided ÃÂ to work on a family we discovered that I had testicular cancer. ÃÂ After all the chemo and operations I was declared cancer free but we couldn't have any kids of our own.
Since then each year I select a non-profit organization that needs help with their fund raising cycling program. ÃÂ I'm pretty good at training people to complete long distance cycling events. ÃÂ I felt this was my method of repaying for the life I had gained. ÃÂ I've now volunteered and worked with with the Cancer Organization, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF), and many others. ÃÂ With CAF I helped guide and coach over 100 people from San Fransisco o San Diego which was 620 miles in 7 days.
On June 23rd 2012, I completed my first 200 mile, Double Century, in one day event. ÃÂ What makes this even more special is that 7 months prior I had my second knee replacement.ÃÂ
ÃÂ
I'm very fortunate to have the life that I have today. ÃÂ I've traveled all around the world, seen some wondrous sights, met fantastic and interesting people, ÃÂ and married a amazing woman who compliments me in every way. ÃÂ Would I give it back to exchange and go back in time and stay in school...not a chance. ÃÂ Life provides some interesting lessons of it's own.
Register for Free to view all details!
Yearbooks
Register for Free to view all yearbooks!
Reunions
Register for Free to view all events!