Page 22 - NGA NATURALmag 2025 Spring/Summer

Spring - Summer 2025
December 2024 Andy returned to to the city of Bastogne Belgium where he he he he helped to liberate the town 80 years ago of of May 16th Andy will travel to to to to Boston to to to to lead a a a a a a a parade of of 2000 motorcycles for wounded veterans After that in in June he he he he heads to to to Normandy France and and then all the the way to to Pearl Harbor in in September Andy is part of of of an an an an elite group of of of Americans Americans who served served in in in WWII WWII while in in in fact less than 1% of of of of Americans Americans who served served in in in in WWII WWII are with us us today Because of of this he is is is receiving many honors His biggest honor honor and reward has just been confirmed Andy will be be receiving the 4th highest individual military award
– The The Bronze Bronze Star Star Medal Medal The The Bronze Bronze Star Star Medal Medal is awarded for heroic or or or or meritorious achievement or or or or service in in a a a a a a a a a combat zone In 1962 President Ken- nedy announced that anyone who served in in in General Patton’s army and has a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a combat infantry badge is entitle to to The The Bronze Star Medal There are no signs of this legend slowing down As I mentioned there are too many accomplishments to to list Andy’s wis- dom comes from years years and years years of life experience What What makes Andy tick? What What is is at at at the core of his being? How has he he prevailed for so long and continues
In Bastogne Andy is with the Queen of Belgium The vets along with the king and queen threw nuts nuts (walnuts) out to the the people The reasoning for the the nuts is because US Brig General McAuliffe said
“Nuts” instead of using foul language when the the Germans asked if they were going to surrender to to go? What is is is the the secret to to longevity and and success? Andy comes from nothing his his father left him and and and his his family family early on and and he he was about as as as poor as as as any family family could be Through this adversity Andy discovered who he he was His character and person have have not changed in the the nearly 30 years that I have have known him He is is is a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a man of character values and and principle which is is why the the the NGA has has the the the integrity and and and reputation it it it it has has today it it it it was built on on the the values of its founder and and never wavered Besides living a a a a a a a a healthy lifestyle and and maintaining physical fitness Andy has lived up to principles and and and genuinely knew who he he he was was as as as as a a a a a a a a a a a a a a person and and what what he he he was was capable of no matter what what others believed or said
He lives every day to the the the fullest never making excuses When I asked Andy what what the the one piece of advice is is he he he he he he could give to his readers he he he he he echoed what what he he he he he has said
before “Know yourself and and and know your your priorities and and and val- ues
and and and who who you you you are innately ” There couldn’t be be truer words of wisdom from a a a a a a man who who has experienced it all and and who is embarking on on 100 years and and beyond! n n n n n n A A visit to the American Cemetery in Luxembourg to visit General Patton’s grave site and then on on to the B-17 Museum where Andy and Francine met General Patton’s granddaughter Helen Patton and and her dog 22 NGA NATURALmag