Dennis Duane Hendrickson

Army Staff Sergeant Dennis Duane Hendrickson grew up moving across Minnesota and Wisconsin with his family, filling his childhood with hunting, fishing, camping, and a love of sports. From an early age, he knew exactly where he was headed. A devoted John Wayne fan and the proud nephew of a Vietnam Marine, Hendrickson dreamed of one day following in his uncle’s footsteps. That dream led him to enlist in the United States Marine Corps in 1986. 

Over the course of his military career, serving in both the Marines and the Army, Hendrickson rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant. What he treasured most was the camaraderie — the lifelong friendships built through years of shared sacrifice. “Serving my country just means so much to me,” he says. His service earned him two of the military’s most distinguished recognitions: the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Purple Heart. 

Hendrickson was injured in Iraq while manning a three-man observation post along MSR Tampa. When a nearby post came under enemy fire, he and his team moved immediately to assist. Mid-movement, an RPG was fired — the blast threw Hendrickson into a ditch, and the radio he was carrying landed on the back of his neck, breaking it. He sustained a cervical fracture requiring fusion from C3 to C7, as well as a traumatic brain injury and a torn rotator cuff. 

Today, Hendrickson remains active — enjoying sports, camping, concerts, and attending football and baseball games. He found love in an unexpected place: his caregiver, Ashley, who was introduced through his sister. What began as a professional relationship blossomed into a partnership, and the two married. 

The support from Tunnel to Towers has lifted a tremendous financial burden and opened new possibilities for independence in a more accessible home — something Hendrickson says will build his confidence and quality of life. 

When asked what he most wants people to know about him, Army Staff Sergeant Dennis Duane Hendrickson doesn’t hesitate: “I love my country. I’m a true patriot — and I would go back again if I could.” 

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation has provided Army Staff Sergeant Dennis Duane Hendrickson with a mortgage-free smart home through the Smart Home Program.