Son surprises mom at game on Jumbotron
Photos by Chris Miller
Georgie Hensley, 87, is a lifelong Dodger fan. Her favorite players are Jackie Robinson and Roy Campanella. She remembers listening on the radio from her home in Cut Bank Montana to the Brooklyn Dodgers winning their first World Series in 1955, against the New York Yankees.
But she had never been to a Dodger Game until two weeks ago, when she visited her son Army Colonel Darryl Hensley (retired) in Hermosa Beach, and he surprised her with tickets to the July 6 Dodgers-Pirates game.
Army Colonel Darryl Hensley (retired), of Hermosa Beach, was honored as Hero of the Game during the Dodgers-Pirates July 6 game. Photos by Chris Miller
An ever bigger surprise came in the second inning when she saw her son appear on the JumboTron in center field.
Colonel Darryl Hensley responds to a request for his autograph.
Colonel Hensley had been selected Hero of the Game for the Dodgers Home Game Military Salute to Veterans.
Young Dodger fans are introduced to Hero of the Game Colonel Darryl Hensley.
Colonel Hensley saw deployment in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Kosovo during his 27 years in the Army. He is a recipient of the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, five awards of the Army Meritorious Service Medal, six awards of the Army Commendation Medal, and four awards of the Army Achievement Medal.
In 2022, he was named the JROTC Director of the Year by the United States Army Cadet Command.
Colonel Hensley moved to Hermosa in July 2019, shortly after marrying former Hermosa Beach stunt woman Suzanne Rampe, now a Realtor with Strand Hill.
Over the next four years, he served as Director of 21 Army, Navy, and Marine Corp JROTC programs. Over the next four years, he transformed JROTC to a Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Math (STEAM) based program.
Speaking of how much he appreciates his newly adopted hometown, Colonel Hensely said, “The people of Hermosa Beach are friendly, hard working, and strong supporters of our Military. I cannot think of a better place to live than in a community that tries to use common sense to solve issues and concerns that are in the best interest of the residents.” ER
Colonel Darryl Hensley is congratulated by a fellow soldier.