[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 14]
[Senate]
[Page 20240]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



               TRIBUTE TO MASTER SERGEANT EVANDER ANDREWS

  Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, today I wish to pay tribute to a wonderful 
man, Master Sergeant Evander Andrews, whose life was cut short on 
October 10, 2001, while in the service of his country. He was on 
deployment and became the first casualty of Operation Enduring Freedom, 
paying the ultimate sacrifice in our Nation's war on international 
terrorism. He was an active duty Air Force member with the 366th Civil 
Engineering Squadron from Mountain Home Air Force Base. Master Sergeant 
Andrews loved the Air Force, working on heavy equipment, and riding in 
the cab of an 18-wheeler. But, his family and faith were his true 
compass and the most important things in his life. He will forever be 
remembered in the hearts and minds of a loving family, the Mountain 
Home Air Force Base community, the 366th Civil Engineering Squadron, 
and many loyal friends.
  Evander, or Andy, as he was affectionately known, was a devoted 
husband and good father, born to Odber and Mary Andrews. He grew up in 
Solonn, ME, which was little more than a country store, tack ship, old 
hotel, gas station and cemetery, but a great place to grow up. Andy's 
three sisters, Carol, Tara and Dulci, remember that he was especially 
close to his father, who was a farmer, but also worked as a mechanic. 
His dad taught him to fix engines and other big equipment and how to 
ride motorcycles. Andy was a strongly built young man, on the quiet 
side, and everyone thought he would become a farmer. But, after 
graduation from Carrabec High School in 1983, he left the family farm 
to join the Air Force and experience the world. He met his wife, Judy, 
in 1987, at Fort Leonard Wood, MO, where Andy was an instructor for 
construction equipment operators, and she was a student at Central 
Missouri State University. After Judy's graduation from college, they 
married in 1990 and two years later left Missouri for Mountain Home Air 
Force Base. Andy and Judy were married for 11 years and have four 
beautiful children. Their oldest child is Ethan, age 9, followed by 
Leah age 6, Courtney, age 4, and Mackenzie, age 2. I know they will 
miss their father very much, and always remember him for the joy and 
commitment that he had for the church and strong family values that he 
shared with them all. Everyone will remember his passion for working on 
vehicles, and his compassion for people. He was the kind of guy that 
would give you the shirt back off his back, and was always there for 
you if you needed help, especially if it involved fixing your car. He 
was truly loved by everyone he touched.
  In the Air Force, Master Sergeant Andrews was the Chief of the 
Pavements Repair Team, operating a multitude of huge vehicles. He felt 
at home around heavy equipment, knew how to do every job in the shop, 
and was willing to teach others, just as his father had once taught 
him. He was always volunteering, especially if a road trip was 
required. He loved driving those 18-wheelers, but was willing to ride 
shotgun, in order to show others what he knew best.
  Master Sergeant Andrews truly was a great person who was moved to 
defend a great Nation and bring peace and security to the world. Rest 
assured, this war on terrorism will be won and the United States will 
continue to lead the world in protecting freedom. And it will be 
because of military members like Master Sergeant Andrews who bravely 
did what they believed in and accomplished what needed to be done. He 
was a thorough professional who was dedicated to his country and his 
duties as an Air Force Civil Engineering Non-commissioned Officer.
  Master Sergeant Andrews will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery 
on 22 October 2001. It is about halfway between his and Judy's 
families, who were the absolute love and joy of his life.
  I am very proud to recognize Master Sergeant Andrews and tell him and 
his family: Thank you from a grateful Nation.

                          ____________________