Supporting others is a calling for Nate Henson.

Following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather who both served in the U.S. Army, the Winona native enlisted in the Marine Corps to serve his nation and protect its freedom.

Henson, who recently completed his Military Occupational Specialty training at North Carolina’s Camp Gilbert H. Johnson in supply administration, manages logistics and inventory—efforts that support forward-deployed soldiers during active duty.

His real calling, he said, is to provide a higher level of support to his fellow troops.

“I’ve always had that calling to go and serve my nation, but at 17, I knew I also wanted to be a minister,” said Henson, a sophomore double communication and religion major at MSU. “Holding onto faith and spirituality in the fog of war is something that keeps soldiers grounded, and I hope I can help provide that support through joining the chaplaincy.”

Being a Bulldog was always Henson’s plan, he said, but he fell in love with MSU’s campus and its people on his first visit.

“I love how it’s an SEC school, but you can walk around and see tons of people you know. It feels like a big family here,” Henson said. “I’m thankful for all the organizations I’ve joined and friends I’ve made.

“I just love MSU,” he continued. “I wish I could be a freshman all over again.”

Henson originally enrolled as a civil engineering major until his true passion began guiding his academic path. Outside of the classroom, his extracurricular activities include serving as the MSU Student Veterans Association president and in the Montgomery Leadership Program, an initiative promoting communication skills, technical excellence, strategic analysis, project management abilities and community involvement for participants.

As Veterans Day [Nov. 11] approaches and MSU celebrates Military Appreciation Day during Saturday’s [Nov. 14] football game against Auburn University, Henson said he’s thankful to protect freedom for others and live “in the greatest country on Earth.”

“This is a time to come together and celebrate all of those who were ready to make the ultimate sacrifice so we can live free,” he said. “We might not all agree on everything or share the same opinions, but I will do whatever I can so you’re able to say what you think and live free.”