"Right before I left for deployment, my Uncle Bobby got diagnosed with lung cancer."

Aerographer's Mate 2nd Class James Henson is stationed aboard USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) and works in the meteorology and oceanography center (METOC). Like many Sailors on board, he loves and misses his family back home.

"I was able to be with him on Christmas, but now I don't know if that will be the last time I will get to spend with him. So I wanted to do something special for him on this deployment," said Henson.

Henson says figuring out a way to honor him was easier said than done. He heard about one of his shipmates who had a flag flown over Iraq. While Henson's uncle is not a military veteran, Henson took this idea and modified it slightly.

"I decided to ask the squadrons if I could get a patch and fly it on a mission for me, and they were actually really cool about it," said Henson. "They signed it and everything."

Henson has patches from several of the different squadrons onboard GHWB, and also one from the Danish ship HMDS Peter Willemoes (F362). He plans to acquire some patches from British ships later this deployment during Saxon Warrior.

"I just want to give a heartfelt thanks to the squadrons, those guys are awesome. I couldn't have asked for anything more," said Henson. "I don't know how much time my uncle has left, so anything I can do for him counts."

With the 2017 deployment winding down for the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group, Henson is staying focused on the mission and doing everything he can to improve himself and others. But at the same time, there is a part of him that is thinking of home and his family.

"I hope he's kicking cancer's butt and that I will be able to see him again soon."

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