Henderson Answers Heaven’s Call

Lieutenant Alina Henderson was promoted to Glory as a result of congenital heart failure in Santee, Calif., on September 25, 1998.

Alina Claudia Zirino was born in Seattle, Wash., in 1968. She described herself as unchurched, with many problems in her teens. As a high school student, she met a group of Christians who accepted her and prayed for her salvation.

“When God called me,” she said, “I was completely born again.” She and her husband Daniel, who were high school sweethearts, were married while they were students at the University of California at San Diego (UCSD). Alina graduated with degrees in General Biology and Studio Art in 1993. She was an outstanding student and an accomplished dancer and artist. She worked as a teacher’s assistant for both the San Diego Unified School District and UCSD for six years before coming to The Salvation Army.

When Alina was hired as an Army employee, she knew this was the full-time service she was looking for. She and Daniel were enrolled as Senior soldiers at the San Diego Citadel Corps in February of 1992. Their desire to serve God led them to opportunities with Service Corps teams, serving in the Marshall Islands, Russia and Ukraine. In February 1994 Alina and Daniel responded to an emergency in the Republic of Georgia and served for five months in charge of the Kutaisi Corps.

When they entered the CFOT it was with the thought of returning to continue their work.

After being commissioned in 1996 with the Messengers of the Truth, they realized their dream of being assigned to Russia, where they were appointed to the Petrodvorets Corps.

Their service was cut short, however, by difficulties causing her to return to San Diego for the birth of their son Isaiah in 1997. They were assigned to Cathedral City, Calif., and then to Santee, where their daughter Sofia was born in July.

Alina is survived by her husband, Daniel, and children, Isaiah and Sofia. Services were conducted at the San Diego Citadel by Divisional Commander Major Don Bell.

Messages of sympathy and comfort may be sent to Lt. Daniel Henderson at 12187 Knoll Crest, Lakeside CA 92040.