Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins reflects on the immense costs of war and the sacrifices made by service members. He emphasizes the importance of remembering those who did not return home. On November 2, 2023, a tragic event highlighted the personal impact of these sacrifices.
My husband, Andy, a captain in the Army Reserve, died in a Humvee accident during a training exercise in Virginia. He was four months away from his 28th birthday. We had a 17-month-old daughter, Adalyn, and were in the process of building a home and buying a 200-acre farm. By 2:20 pm that day, everything changed when I received a call from his commanding officer delivering devastating news.
Three days later, my family and I traveled to the Virginia Commonwealth University trauma center in Richmond to bring Andy home. Andy’s commanding officer, in full uniform, was deeply emotional, offering a tight hug that spoke volumes about the loss. The expected quiet drive home proved to be anything but.
As the journey began, we encountered numerous community tributes. Fire engines, draped with American flags, lined overpasses along our route, manned by uniformed firefighters standing in salute. Each overpass featured more uniformed individuals, and many civilians joined in to honor Andy’s memory.
During the two-and-a-half-hour drive home, we passed under approximately 35 overpasses displaying respect and solidarity. People even pulled over on the highway shoulder to pay their respects. This overwhelming support had been organized with the help of our friend Josh, a volunteer firefighter, who coordinated these tributes along our route.
Josh’s wife, Amanda, arranged for a professional photographer and videographer to capture Andy’s final journey for Adalyn. Police escorts ensured the procession faced no interruptions, reminiscent of presidential treatment. One poignant moment was passing under a massive American flag, flanked by ordinary people expressing their support.
As we neared home, overpasses gave way to farm equipment parked along the road. Andy, who worked in agriculture, treated farmers as family, and they returned the sentiment. They lined the road with their equipment, showcasing the community’s respect and gratitude.
Despite differences in politics, sports loyalties, or personal lives, people came together to honor Andy. The drive home, extended by countless displays of tribute, underscored the nation’s gratitude.
On Memorial Day, I reflect on this journey. It highlights that the holiday is more than sales, long weekends, or summer’s start. It is about a nation’s unprompted decision to stand on overpasses and salute.