Army Staff Sergeant Eric R. Hennesey’s life began with hardship, responsibility, and a determination to rise above difficult circumstances. At just nine years old he began mowing lawns to pay for his own clothes. By sixteen, he shifted to working at a local grocery store, Hannath’s, where he stayed for two and a half years. During his final year of high school, he worked early mornings to cover his necessities, learning early that survival required grit, discipline, and perseverance. As he often said, “When life throws lemons at you, make lemonade.”
Hennesey found peace in nature. The outdoors—hunting for food, exploring, and seeing God’s creation—gave him a sense of peace. Visiting Colorado for the first time left a lasting impression on him.
Hennesey’s path changed dramatically when he chose to leave home and seek opportunity through military service. Believing that “you cannot stay in one spot if you want to make it in the world,” he enlisted first in the United States Navy on June 19, 1986. He served during the Cold War, completing two Mediterranean deployments. Seeking broader opportunities, he later enlisted in the United States Army on January 25, 1996, where he would serve until his retirement on October 1, 2012.
In the Army, Hennesey served twice in Korea, where he met his future wife, Melody. He also completed three deployments to Iraq and served as a recruiter. His military service brought him the deep satisfaction that comes from helping others. His leadership earned recognition, including being selected to run the Deputy Installation Commander office. Under his management, the Joint Services Vulnerability Assessment team rated the installation top in Korea.
Hennesey’s military career was marked by both accomplishment and sacrifice. During his third deployment—a grueling 15‑month tour in Iraq—he returned home with severe symptoms that were later diagnosed as Ramsay Hunt Syndrome. He spent three weeks hospitalized in Hanau, Germany, followed by six weeks of recovery. A decade later, the dormant virus triggered Guillain‑Barré Syndrome, leaving him paralyzed from the neck down. Though he regained partial mobility, he continues to live with paralysis in his hands, mid‑body, and feet, relying on a wheelchair and the daily support of his wife and brother‑in‑law.
Despite these challenges, Hennesey’s commitment to service continued after retirement. Feeling called to missionary work, he and his family served in the Philippines, helping churches build structures, feeding children, and supporting high school students in attending college—all funded from his own retirement income rather than donations.
Together, Hennesey and Melody raised two daughters, Kala and Nicole, born just before his first and second deployments to Iraq. During the post‑9/11 years, he cherished every moment he could spend with them between deployments.
Today, Army Staff Sergeant Eric R. Hennesey remains limited by his medical condition, yet his message remains unwavering: Do not let anyone talk you down. Stand up, keep going, and follow what your heart knows is right.
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation has provided Army Staff Sergeant Eric R. Hennesey with a mortgage-free smart home through the Smart Home Program.