[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 137 (Thursday, October 17, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1909]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO A GREAT AMERICAN--DON F. ANDREW

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOB ETHERIDGE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 16, 2002

  Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great 
American, my good friend Don F. Andrews, who passed away last week at 
the young age of fifty-six.
  Don Andrews was born in Goldsboro, North Carolina on December 20, 
1945 and grew up in Faison. He was drafted into the Army during the 
Vietnam War. He was a highly decorated Green Beret in the U.S. Army 
Special Forces and served ten years in uniform. He completed a 
remarkable four campaigns in Vietnam where he earned two Silver Stars, 
four Bronze Stars with valor, three Purple Hearts, two Air Medals with 
valor and was recommended for the Distinguished Service Cross.
  He met and married Frances Kennedy from Lee County while he was 
running the Special Forces School at Fort Bragg. During a tour in 
Bangkok, Thailand, Frances'father, Haskell Kennedy, passed away, and 
Don changed his plans to make a career of the military to return home 
to be near his wife's mother, Evelyn Wade Kennedy.
  After leaving the Army, armed with the discipline and the drive the 
military had taught him, he started a grocery business, for which his 
father had taught him. Don grew the business to 32 stores in two states 
and employed approximately 1800 people. He later sold his chain to a 
Fortune 500 company.
  Don's life was filled with many accomplishments. He volunteered for 
the Faison Volunteer Fire Department. He had been a member of the 
Faison Jaycees. He was named Lee County Small Business Person of the 
Year in 1988. He was a former member of the NC State University 
Agricultural Advisory Board. He had testified before the United States 
Congress on small business affairs. He was past president of the N.C. 
Food Dealers Association. He was named Grocer of the Year in 1990. He 
was a former director of the Whiteville Chamber of Commerce. He was a 
director of the Broadway Lions Club. He was commander of the Broadway 
American Legion. He was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign 
Wars. He served on the board of directors for RBC Centura. He was a 
member of the N.C. Veterans Memorial Pavilion. And he was a member of 
Broadway Presbyterian Church. He was a savvy businessman. His latest 
endeavors included several developments in the Broadway area and a 
vigorously run campaign for Lee County Commissioner.
  Among his greatest accomplishments was his family. He leaves behind 
his wife, Dr. Frances K. Andrews and mother-in-law, Evelyn W. 
``Grandma'' Kennedy. He had two grown children. One son, Donald F. 
Andrews, Jr and wife Lori of Broadway, NC; one daughter, Lisa A. 
Radford and husband Brian of Faison, NC. And he was a doting 
grandfather of three: Cherish, Christopher and Dylan. He also leaves 
behind one brother, James E. Andrews and wife Joyce of Faison, NC and 
one sister, Mary R. Garafola of Hammonds, LA.
  Mr. Speaker, The Second Congressional District of North Carolina, 
which I have the honor of serving in this House, has lost one of its 
leading citizens. And I have lost a dear friend.

                          ____________________