[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 153 (Friday, October 4, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1012]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING ANDREW MICHAEL HUFFMAN WITH A CONGRESSIONAL VETERAN 
                              COMMENDATION

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PETE SESSIONS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 4, 2024

  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to present Andrew Michael 
Huffman, of Centerville, Texas, with a Congressional Veteran 
Commendation. His servant's life reflects the hard work and dedication 
that exemplifies the best of our East Texas values.
  Andrew Huffman entered active duty at Fort Snelling, Minnesota in 
June of 2006 at age nineteen. As Operation Enduring Freedom gained 
momentum, Air Force Security Force deployments to Afghanistan 
accelerated as the Taliban were driven from power and the Air Force 
moved in and secured bases in country. He served as protector and 
defender ensuring Air Force, joint and coalition forces were safe. The 
duty assignment was intensely dangerous as Andrew was once thrown from 
the top of an MRAP and out of a HUMVEE on two separate occasions in 
Afghanistan and later on assignment in Iraq. Andrew suffered two 
traumatic brain injuries, and his back was broken bringing him 
stateside for healing.
  In 4 years of service, Senior Airman Huffman completed extensive 
training in law enforcement, criminal justice and combat tactics and 
was rewarded many times. Huffman earned the Army Achievement Medal, 
Meritorious Unit Award, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force 
Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan 
Campaign Medal with one Service Star, Iraq Campaign Medal with one 
Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Air Force Overseas 
Ribbon Short, Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border 
with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Longevity Service, Air Force 
Training Ribbon and NATO Medal.
  After war, Andrew struggled through alcohol and prescription drug 
addiction treatment programs but found success with the Retrieving 
Freedom program with his service dog, Wilson. Andrew helped grow a 
service dog non-profit, Bella's Buddies, while earning his college 
degree. In a new mission, Andrew began to speak at area schools, helped 
foster relationships with Cadets at Texas A&M, and regularly met with 
Veterans groups in the region and visited VA patients on a regular 
basis.
  As Bella's Buddies grew, it developed connections to groups like Zac 
Brown's Camp Southern Ground, where Andrew served as a facilitator 
using dogs to guide veterans to better opportunities in life and living 
forward no matter what.
  Andrew found personal love marrying Samantha over a year ago. Andrew 
now teaches and coaches at Buffalo Elementary while mentoring boys how 
to fix things around campus. He also coaches High School cross country 
and just joined the Centerville Volunteer Fire Department. Andrew still 
volunteers with Bella's Buddies as well as Rebuilding Warriors, a 
service dog group out of Madisonville.
  Senior Airman Huffman has seen how fleeting life is on the 
battlefield, and in personal matters. Fortunately, for Andrew, he is 
figuring out that a key to a successful life is by serving others and 
celebrating their victories.
  I proudly commend Andrew Michael Huffman, of Centerville, Texas to 
his friends, family, and colleagues, and salute his service to the Air 
Force, his country and community of Centerville by awarding him the 
2024 Congressional Veteran Commendation.

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