Understanding the Idea of Home Around Hensley

In this drawing, it shows my grandma sitting outside. She looks comfortable and to me that's what home should look like. I vividly remember the days spent in her house and all the same conversations we've had where she sat exactly in that spot. And that's what made her home special to me, and to everyone else that spoke to her on her porch, because I know everyone else and I considered her house a second home. 

Mariah, age 15

I drew in my house with the trees and the grass in front of it. I drew my house because it's my favorite place to be.

Mila, age 10

For my piece to express what makes my home unique and feel like home are the yellow walls in my kitchen and bathroom, depicted in my image, along with a lit candle to show that there's always a lit candle in my house and although it's floral in my image, we usually have a seaside smelling candle but the flowers pay homage to my father's home where he always has a bouquet of fresh flowers that is very comforting and very pretty and just brings a little bit of life into my home which I think is important.

Lily, age 17

When I think of my home I think of my dad because he's always there for me. Lola, age 10

I drew my mom because she makes me think of home. Eli, age 6

Hi, my name is Gabriel. I'm 13. I'm going into eighth grade and I drew a backyard scene after a cookout and a wiffle ball game between me and my brother. It reminds me of home because we did it when I was little. And now we're still doing it when I'm a teenager. So it just kind of sticks with me and it reminds me of home.

Gabriel, age 13

There on the base we'd have a family day now and then, and the whole family'd come out. That's when the whole organization was shut down except for party time. Back then we had those C-130s and they had the hangar cleaned out. They'd bring in a tractor-trailer with a flatbed, then they'd use that for the stage. Then they'd get up there and had a band and all that stuff, had a potluck, everybody'd bring a dish and put it on a big old table, so you had all kind of stuff to eat.

Jesse McMillian, former Civil Service Machinist and Welder

There was a Marine unit on base, and when I was a teenager I would go with my friends that were military brats and go to the base - humongous swimming pool - it was the biggest pool I'd ever seen in my life. And we would go and hang out at the pool.

 Stephanie Moreno, local resident

We first moved to the area proper in 1964. We first lived on Cottonwood Street, just north of Hensley Field/LTV. I remember seeing the jets flying overhead from the base and the roar of the engines at LTV. My father would take me down to the area of Bagdad and Jefferson where we would park along the railroad track and watch the Corsairs practicing touch and go landings. There might be 75 to 100 cars along the railroad tracks watching the landings. 

Keith Bilbrey, local resident

Dalworth was a very tightknit community because Mr. Daniels, the principal, was the main leader of the community. Whatever we needed, we would call Mr. Daniels, and he was the problem solver….. The community was very close-knit, and very proud of what we achieved. The center of the community was the school.

Dr. Vern Alexander, Grand Prairie ISD

When we were in Avion Village there were family gatherings at the community center. There was a huge green space. They had a baseball field, so a lot of the kids would go play baseball. A lot of the parents would gather around and visit. We had watermelon parties. We had ice cream socials in the summer. They did several things as family, to get families to get out, certainly on your own little cul-de-sac. Each street was a cul-de-sac and had a lamppost at the end, a little turnaround. We used to play around that light in the evenings.

Bonnie Cockrum, local resident

Please share stories, memories or thoughts about why your neighborhood is important to you. These stories can be big or small. We want to fully understand the spirit and story of the area you call home.