19, of Wiscasset, Maine; assigned to 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, N.Y.; killed Aug. 11 when his platoon came in contact with enemy forces using rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire during combat operations in Nangalam, Afghanistan. Also killed were Spc. Rogelio R. Garza Jr. and Pfc. James P. White Jr.
To honor PFC Andrew R. Small, his parents, Cindy and Terry Small retrieved this stone from their homestead in Wiscassett, Maine.
Watch this video to learn why this stone is significant and what it says about PFC Andrew R. Small.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIgB2aPJdXE&rel=0
52 Comments
It was such an honor to carry Andrew’s stone to Arlington Cemetery for the Wreath Laying Ceremony this past December. And next we will have the honor of bringing his stone to Katahdin for the Summit Project climb over Memorial Day weekend. Never forgotten, a living tribute to a True American Hero.
To the Family and Friends of PFC Andrew R Small
I had the honor and privilege of being responsible for PFC Andrew R. Small’s stone during a recent GORUCK endurance event in Portland. His Stone, along with five others, comprised our Team Weight. The Team Weight is carried during this 12 hour event by every member of the team.
This was one Team Weight that everyone wanted to carry and was at times even fought over as to who gets the honor of carrying it next.
I related to what Cindy said in the video about Andrew’s smile. During these events I always try to smile. When I am wet, cold, and tired a smile is sometimes the only motivating factor. I thought of Andrews smile to help when I couldn’t find my own.
After doing a little research I was amazed to see how many times Andrew was decorated during his single year of service, 8 medals, including the Silver Star.
We were given some time to discuss the Stones we were carrying by our Cadre. We had the sunrise and Bug Light Park as our auditorium, and barely a dry eye in house by the time we finished taking about these very brave Soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
I was honored to be able to share Andrew’s story of Sacrifice for us and for his Platoon. His platoon, who would have not had the same survival rate if not for the selfless actions of PFC Andrew R. Small. He placed himself between his platoon and their attackers so they could survive.
I have told his story over and over many times. As I tell his story I have to keep reminding myself that Andrew was only 19 years old. It seems he lived a lifetime in those 19 years. He had a profound impact on each man in his platoon, and has had a great impact on me and to everyone who hears his story.
PFC Andrew R Small exemplifies what our Soldiers are all about and what the youth of today should strive to be.
I am very thankful to have had the honor of being touched by Andrew’s Service and Sacrifice.
I will help make sure that PFC Andrew R Small and his fellow Maine Heroes are not Forgotten.
Respectfully
Ted Coffin
Raymond, Maine
Thank you Ted for honoring our son in such a great way. We are very proud of Andrew and what he did that day. Your comments touched all of our hearts. He will always be remembered by all of his family and by all of you who carry his stone and share his story. Thanks from the whole Small family.
Thanks MJ for sharing our Andrew with us. It is very special to know that you carry him both in your heart and in your hand as you make these different travels with him. I know he is smiling down on you. You keep him alive and he will always be remembered. Thank you from Cindy, Terry, Josh, Michelle, Mirolee and the whole Small family.
Wow, Thank you for sharing Andrew’s incredible story. Such an amazing young soldier! Thank you for Honoring and Remembering such a valiant young man! Our Maine Fallen are Never Forgotten!
I am a Webelos I a Cub Scout who helped out this morning. I got your son’s stone and I read it to a motorcycle driver. He sounds like he was a nice guy. I am praying for you.
Let us never forget Andrew R Small & his brothers lived and died for OUR freedom. We will always be indebt to Andrew and many with him in our small community and communities alike, in our own back yard, if you will. Those whom gave the ultimate sacrificeas they laid down their lives defending our country. I was extremely honored to carry Andrews stone on this journey for his family and all that loved and had great respect for our home town soldier! All I heard was Andrews famous grin he wore 99.9% of the time. He is talked about highly often and I know what a wonderful family he comes from. It was with great honor for him to ride a piece of this journey with me. Thank you ANDREW R. SMALL P.F.C. FROM WISCASSET MAINE! TRUDY DALTON PERKINS
Thank you Trudy. We were very happy that you were able to carry his stone. It made it even more special to know he was with someone we knew. Thank you for honoring him and such a great way.
Thanks again,
Cindy and Terry
we will never let Andrew be forgotten!!! He’s our own hometown boy who laid down his life defending our freedom. We will forever be in debt to him and those with him.
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Small,
My name is Army Major Pete Perzel, I had the great honor of carrying your son Andrew’s, honor stone to the summit (and back!) of the Owl Mt. at Baxter State Park, this Memorial Day weekend, as part of the inaugural Summit Project tribute hike.
I have spent the past months preparing for this hike, researching everything I could find out about Andrew and getting myself both physically and mentally prepared for this special hike. Most importantly I wanted to ensure that I properly honored and celebrated Andrew’s sacrifice and his life. Although I have never met Andrew I soon discovered that we both share some similarities. He and I are both Soldiers, specifically in the Army. We both love sports and those around me tell me I have a great sense of humor. I was also deployed to Afghanistan as part of Combined Joint Task Force- 76, the exact time when Andrew was there. This connection was the most meaningful for me because I knew firsthand the things he may have experienced during his time deployed to Afghanistan.
During the entire weekend it was my goal to complete the mission that Andrew could not. I treated many of the muscle movements during the tribute weekend as though I was Andrew on his last patrol in the Nuristan Mountains of Afghanistan. My connection to the Summit Project is very special and significant because I am the custodian of all Honor Stones and I also built the display which holds them –located at the Military Entrance Station here in Portland.
The weekend began for me on Friday, May 23rd at 0600. I was responsible for checking the honor stones out of the honor room at the Portland MEPS to a small group of Patriot Riders. I specifically ensured his stone was transferred to the riders. During the process I began to imagine what Andrew was doing—he was waking up, getting ready for his patrol and going over some battle drills, in preparation for the day— After the stones departed the MEPS in Portland they arrived at the Portland Elks Lodge where many helping hands were ready to participation in the Patriot Rider biker convoy send off.
I witnessed the Patriot Riders depart the Elks Lodge parking lot. It was a very moving experience. In the lead was a Maine State Trooper followed by the riders, one of which had a giant American Flag blowing in the wind as he drove past. Mr. Scott Tarbox of Sanford Maine was honored to escort Andrew’s stone, as a Patriot Rider. I ensured the stone was safely in his hands. My family and I followed the riders as they rode up past Bangor, stopping for lunch and then onward to a rest stop prior to exiting I-95 towards Millinocket. Scott took great care with transporting the stone. At each stop I would make a point to stop and chat with him and check on the stone. Each time he would carefully unwrap the stone and take it out of the American Flag themed custom pouch he had for transferring the stone. After an exhilarating and prideful ride by the Patriot Riders the Stones made it to the base camp of the tribute hike at the Twin Pines Campground on Lake Millinocket. In the Army we call this the Rally Point or RP. The RP was full of energy and I felt the love and enthusiasm from everyone involved. The spirit of the RP encampment gave me even more energy for the hike the next day. During that evening I enjoyed the Summit Project BBQ. There was a cool breeze which blew across the lake and fanned a small camp fire where many of the hikers stood talking about their honor stone hero. I had Andrews stone with me and thanked him for his duty to country, which allowed me to enjoy this wonderful breeze and the freedoms I enjoy as an American. His sacrifice would not be forgotten.
The Katahdin summit was still snow covered so the decision was made by the Park Rangers to climb the sister peak, The Owl which was 3670’ tall. This steep mountain is one of the most prominent sights seen by trail hikers who climb the Appalachian Trail as they finish their hike. At 0700 I began my ascent of The Owl with Andrew’s stone safe in my pack. The day was overcast with sporadic showers, occurring mainly during the decent. The first mile of the hike is relatively flat terrain and during this time I got to know my fellow Summit Project hikers. One of which was Ben Hawthorne who was hiking for his brother Jay, also killed in action in Afghanistan. I enjoyed his company and much of the time our interaction was light hearted, something that I think Andrew would have also enjoyed. Andrew was known for his grin and humor and I wanted to ensure that this emotion and his character was expressed during the hike. Although brothers Matthew, Jonathan, and Joshua could not be on the hike, Ben represented them and I thought of them also as I climbed higher.
As the trail became steeper and the mountain began to ask for more, thoughts of his last patrol could not escape me. Much of the rocky terrain encountered on the trail was similar to the trail that Andrew was on. It was steep, had large rocks and ledges. It was hands and feet for most of it. I thought about Andrew’s courage and selflessness when he exposed himself on his trail in order to lay down suppressive fire to allow his squad members an avenue to safety. The situation was dire, Andrew must have known that but he pushed onward regardless and I was reminded of his courage as the trail became tougher. His conspicuous and most selfless actions saved the lives of many of his fellow Soldiers and denied the enemy any further advantage. Andrew was an amazing man and Soldier and as I struggled up the rocky trail I kept remembering Andrew all the way up. His bravery inspired my every step. On this day and on this rocky hike I was going to finish the patrol for Andrew…..and that I did!
The views from the summit were impressive. In the distance to the south were the peaks of the 100 Mile Wilderness. The Owl was a smaller mountain than Katahdin but it offered big rewards. Some of those rewards can be only known to me and difficult to express.
I want to thank you for sharing Andrew with me and the Summit Project. Honoring the Fallen by Challenging the Living is the Summit Project slogan. I will always remember this amazing hike on each Memorial Day and the selfless code of which Andrew lived by. I am humbled by his sacrifice. Just as Governor Baldacci said “His deeds will live in the hearts and minds of the residents of Maine forever”. They will in mine and many. God bless you all-
Very Respectfully,
Major Pete Perzel
U.S. Army
Thank you Major Perzel for filling us in on this wonderful weekend. We were unable to be there this year and you took us there every step of the way. We really appreciate that. To think that you were also there at the same time as Andrew is very special.. Thank you for honoring our son in such a beautiful way. Your kind words filled our hearts .
Sincerely,
Terry and Cindy Small
Thank you for sharing your son with our nation. His story inspired me to share it at another GORUCK event, this time in Boston. He must have been an amazing man. Thank you again.
Sarah
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Small.
My name is Rebecca Rogers. I took part in The Summit Project’s Memorial Day weekend at Baxter State Park, where I had the honor of carrying Andrew’s memorial stone on our tribute hike. Following is my reflection and experience from a very powerful weekend:
As requested, my best friend yelled at me from across the bedroom as I hit snooze a second time. As I pulled myself out of sleep, I immediately remembered where I was and my mission for the day. I forced my eyes open, and my feet hit the floor at 4:37 am. I stuck my head out the door of our cabin. It was raining, and I didn’t care. I quietly laced up my hiking boots while having a quick cup of tea. My pack was ready to go, and as usual, bulging with more gear and snacks than I would possibly need for the day. Before closing up my pack I checked and checked again for the most important thing I would be carrying. I had been assigned the honor of carrying the memorial stone for Army PFC Andrew R. Small of Wiscasset, Maine.
As I shouldered my pack and headed for the lodge I thought back to the previous afternoon and evening. I thought about how quickly my nervousness had been absolved by the warm welcome upon our arrival at Twin Pines. I thought about the many moments of finally meeting my fellow team members, and the sense of relief that it gave me. I thought about the Gold Star family members I had met and the deep and genuine level of humility that they all seemed to share. I remembered my heart skipping a beat at the sight of the Maine Patriots Riders finally rolling into camp, flags flying proudly in the bright afternoon sunlight. I again felt the same lump in my throat that I had experienced as the memorial stones were handed off to family members and hikers. I will always remember the huge sense of humbling responsibility I felt as I had the good fortune to accept Andrew’s stone and a hug from one of the riders.
As I piled into the passenger van with the rest of Team Red I looked around at my team members and thought about the extra weight that we would each be carrying that day. We rolled up to the Togue Pond Gatehouse at 10 of six. As the raindrops continued to hit the windshield, we swapped stories of the soldiers that we would be honoring that day. I thought about a 19 year old Andrew lacing up his boots on the day of his last mission. I thought about all the things he saw and experienced at his very young age. Things that, because of young men and women like him, I will never have to experience. I thought too about the things that he may never have experienced in his short life. As our boots hit the trail and the weather cleared, I wondered if he had ever been to Baxter, or up Katahdin. With every step I felt a sense of gratitude of being able to climb the Owl for him that day.
As our team climbed, we shared stories of our soldiers, ourselves, and also some moose jerky. Throughout our ascent, physical loads were shared and many hands were extended to ensure that we all completed our mission as a team. Amongst our team members, were several veterans, an active duty member, a widow, & a young man named Tony. At 17 Tony had recently enlisted to join the Army once he graduates from high school next June. It was truly sobering to consider the collective experiences of my fellow team members. I thought about their loss, their sacrifice, and the selflessness of their service. As we hiked, I couldn’t help but be impressed by Tony who has a maturity level and demeanor beyond his years. This caused me to reflect on Andrew in a new way. I thought about him, at such a young age, making a very adult decision to serve his country. I thought about him leaving behind his friends, his family, his truck, and everything else that was his world. I thought about his big grin for which he was so well known, and what a brave young man he was. I thought about the fact that, in his short time of service he was decorated 11 times. Amongst these awards were a Purple Heart, a Good Conduct Medal, & a Silver Star for Gallantry in Action. I thought a great deal of Andrew’s selfless actions that, on his final day, ensured that other members of his platoon would be able to return home to their families.
We had been on the trail for hours when we popped up onto a small plateau, and discussed whether this would be our team’s summit. With some determined encouragement from Megan, our team dipped back down into the trees which were dense and thick at this elevation. Within a few minutes the mountain fell away dramatically, and it was clear that we could go no higher. Witherle Ravine swept out before us, and Katahdin loomed, huge, on the other side, seeming almost close enough to touch. The summit was small, just big enough for our team. As we each took turns sharing about our heroes it felt intimate, despite the sweeping views in all directions. The summit was full of motion that day. Remaining clouds blew by at a dizzying pace against a bright blue sky. Our moments of sunlight dazzled, brilliantly. And there was the wind. The wind at times made it difficult to stand, causing us all to cling to our memorial stones a bit tighter. But the wind also dried our tears and carried the words we shared to honor our heroes out across the mountain tops. I will never forget the feeling of motion on the summit that day, and how it truly reflects the mission of The Summit Project. The uniqueness of TSP depends on motion, interaction, and personal resposiblity. It was an absolute honor to make that day’s journey in honor of Andrew Small. It was with humility and reverence that I learned and carried his story. It is with gratitude and respect that I will continue to carry it with me, to share it with anybody that will listen, and do my part to ensure that Andrew and all of our Maine heroes are NOT forgotten.
With deepest respect,
Rebecca Rogers
I had the honor of carrying Andrew’s stone during the 2015 Run for the Fallen in Brunswick, Maine on August 16th. It was a pleasure to meet all of you by his memorial.
I had the honor of carrying Andrew’s stone for the Run for the Fallen in Brunswick on August 16th. It was also a pleasure to meet you by his memorial along the way. Thank You for honoring him in this way so we can all realize that he was such special person.
To the family of PFC Andrew Small,
I had the honor of carrying Andrew’s stone at the Acadia National Park group hike to the summit of Cadillac Mountain. My wife and I heard about the event on the summit of Katahdin where we connected with another hiker who carrying a stone on a solo hike. He told us the story of his soldier and inspired us to sign up for the ANP hike. We were late arrivals taking a couple of slots that opened up on separate hiking groups. Originally, I was assigned the Family stone but one of the other hikers on my team had two stones so he shared Andrew’s with me. I had a couple of weeks to research all that I could about Andrew. I learned how he bravely gave his life so others in his platoon would survive. He was a true American Hero.
The day started out very early and chilly. When we arrived at the park, I found Andrew’s stone and carefully placed it in a protective bag. I also carried the Family stone in my pack. With the skies threatening rain, our team set off to hike the south ridge trail from Blackwoods Campground. At the beginning of the hike, everyone on the team was very quiet and somber. All you could hear were the footsteps of the 18 or so hikers. A chilly rain had started to fall dampening the mood even more. We reached a small ledge that overlooked the park toward the southeast. The view was amazing! The Autumn colors were in full effect. The sun was breaking through shining spotlights on the sea and the beautiful landscape. We took some pictures with the stones before packing back up and heading on to the summit. One of the hikers on my team was also carrying an American flag with his stone. We attached it to a hiking pole and took turns carrying the flag at the head of the team. I couldn’t help but think about how proud Andrew would be to carry that flag. We stopped another time at a small pond along the trail and took some more pictures. We had a brief circle time where we all shared the name of our soldier. When I packed my bag this time, Andrew’s stone was pushing into my back letting me know he was there. As we got near the summit, we could see toward the North and some rain clouds. The most amazing rainbow appeared seemingly below our position. I know Andrew was smiling on us.
I am so honored to have Andrew along with me on that hike. It is a privilege to be able to carry on his story to others. His life and his service to this country will not be forgotten. I look forward to meeting you guys some day at one of the other TSP events.
Saturday, January 30, 2016 is the day that I dedicated to hiking North Brother, Baxter State Park, Maine, with the memorial stone of PFC Andrew R. Small. First of all, I would like to offer my condolences to Andrew’s parents, Terry and Cindy Small. I understand the meaning and importance in keeping alive the memory of your son, and I am honored that I was able to do that with a group of 10 friends.
Andrew, of Wiscasset, Maine, was only 19 years old when he was killed. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, NY. He was killed when his platoon came in contact with enemy forces using rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire during combat operations in Nangalam, Afghanistan. He received 8 medals, including the Silver Star, during his year of service. He was a great asset to his platoon, and missed by all who knew him.
I enjoyed listening to the video made by Andrew’s parents, and I smiled when they spoke about Andrew’s great grin, sense of humor, and great smile. I enjoyed their story about Andrew’s purchase of his first vehicle, before he got his license, and how he would sit out in the truck, to enjoy the independence and the liberty that he felt being out there. He was an avid Red Sox fan, and was excused from his alumni banquet so he could attend a game, which has provided great memories for his parents.
The evening before our hike to North Brother, the 10 of us sat in our cabin, woodstove going, water warming inside that we brought in from the frozen pond, and spoke about Andrew. I passed his stone around, and read the information I had printed out about Andrew, from TSP site. We chatted about him and the sacrifices he made to protect our freedom. We had veterans on our hike, and like all veterans that I have met, they feel a special bond with each other. MSGT ANG (Ret) Kristina Sullivan would like to extend her thanks for allowing her to be a part of the summit project. Even though none of us had met Andrew, we felt like he was part of us and that he was a new friend we made that evening.
The hike to North Brother (4,143′), round trip, was a grueling 17 miles from our cabin, at times in deep snow. At the summit, I placed the stone near the summit sign for a quick picture. I felt like my mission was accomplished, and that Andrew had helped me get there. I never thought of giving up, how could I, knowing all that Andrew sacrificed for us. Our challenges must have paled in comparison to what he and other soldiers go through every day. Thank you to Andrew and his parents, and all soldiers serving past and present. And thank you to TSP for keeping their memories alive.
Thank you Lisa for your beautiful words and for carrying our son’s stone. All of these events are very important to us and those of you who do this for us will remain in our hearts forever. We are glad that you had the chance to get to know our son through our memories. 🙂
I was my honor to carry the stone of PFC Andrew Small . I carry Andrew’s stone up Big Moose Mountain in Greenville. I carried the stone on 5-19-16 when my JROTC Let-2 did the summit project. The day started off warm and it was buggy and when we reached the summit we had lunch. Then we all gathered around and told the story’s of the person of whose stone we carried. While we were telling the story’s of the fallen persons it started to rain and hail. Once we got done telling the story’s of the fallen we took a group picture of all of us on the summit Then we gathered the stones and started down the mountain. The rocks were slippery as we went down the mountain some people slipped on spots as we went down the Big Moose MTN. We got back on the bus to head back to school so we could go home after the long day of hiking the Mountain. It was to bad to hear the way he died, and it to bad he couldn’t have lived a long and full life. It has my Honor to carry the stone of Andrew Small.
To the family of Army PFC Andrew R. Small
On May 29, 2016 I had the honor and privilege of carrying the memorial stone of Army PFC Andrew R. Small, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, NY. Andrew was killed when his platoon came in contact with enemy forces using rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire during combat operations in Nangalam, Afghanistan. Also killed were Spc. Rogelio R. Garza Jr. and Pfc. James P. White Jr. In the short time that he was in the Army he received 8 medals, one of which is a Silver Star.
As I was preparing myself mentally and physically for this hike, I also wanted to learn about Andrew’s life before it was cut so short. Andrew was born in Wiscasset, Maine on June 22, 1987 and died August 11, 2006. I went to the town where Andrew up in Wiscasset, Maine. I brought a lunch and I first went to hot spots of Wiscasset by the river. I ate my lunch at a picnic table and took in the sights and sounds of his town. Red’s, Sarah’s and the shops along the street. I imagined that as a teenager Andrew perhaps worked at one of the town staples. So I went in Sarah’s to see if there was anyone there that may have known him. And I met Spencer Bailey who went to school with Andrew. He told me they would hang out at times at the Rec Hall close to the high school. Spencer was very excited about TSP and the hike I was to go on in Andrew’s honor. I went to the high school and thought about Andrew playing sports there. I visited Morse’s farm, as that has a long history of involving kids and teens in farming activities and imagined that perhaps Andrew may have been involved there as well.
Andrew’s mother states that he had an amazing smile. He was always grinning. She states his superiors had a hard time staying angry if Andrew had made a mistake, as his smile would win them over easily. Cindy also relayed the story of Andrew’s first car. A white pick up truck that he just had to have. He didn’t even have his driver’s license yet. But he bought this truck and it sat in the driveway until he got his license. He would go out and just sit in the driver’s seat, just waiting for the day that he could drive it. Andrews father, Terry stated that Andrew was a very big sports fan. Especially of the Red Sox and the Patriots. In his senior year in 2005, he had tickets to a Red Sox game, that then ended up being on the same night as his senior alumni banquet. He asked to be excused from the banquet, as he did not want to miss the Red Sox game.
The day of our hike was a cold, windy, rainy day and started at 5:30 AM sharp. I thought about 5:30 AM and that it is probably the time that most all of Andrew’s days started while in the military. The stone I carried for Andrew was one chosen by his parents from their home in Wiscasset. As we made our way up the trail, I thought about Andrew’s life. He was only 19 years old when he died. It made me hurt deep in my heart as I imagined the loss his family and friends were to experience for the rest of their lives. I imagined the void that would be left if I had lost my son, who is the same age as Andrew would be today. I thought about the joy that he brought to so many people with his beautiful smile. I joined the Summit Project because I wanted to pay respects to those that made the ultimate sacrifice. I wanted the opportunity to share the story of one of Maine’s fallen heroes. I wanted the family friends and community to know that PFC Andrew R Small would never be forgotten. As my pack got heavy I thought about team work. I thought about my team that were hiking as a team. Starting as a team and ending as team. Team work, unity, generosity, helping whomever needs help. My hope is that Andrew’s family, friends and community can take comfort in knowing that it is my honor and privilege to keep Andrew forever in my thoughts, and close to my heart. I hope that through this project, they will know that Maine Heroes Are Not Forgotten I look forward to sharing his memory throughout my lifetime. My deepest thoughts of sympathy and my greatest wish for peace.
Annette Koziol, Brunswick, Maine
Annette, Thank you for your beautiful words about our son. He will never be forgotten by all of us who loved him and by all of you who pass his story on. I am reading for the first time on his 10 year Anniversary. A perfect time to do it.
Thanks again,
Cindy and Terry Small
On October 1st, 2016 I had the honor of carry the stone of PFC Andrew R. Small to the summit of Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park. The stone I carried was small and it reminded me of how short/small his life was. Although, I never had a chance to know Andrew, he definitely has taught me lessons in these past couple weeks.
1) Be grateful for the time you do have. It is so very easy to get bogged down with the stress that comes with life. Andrew was born the same year I was and it hit me hard to reflect on how much I would have missed out in the past 10 years. It is easy to focus on everything that is wrong and cruel in society today, when we should be giving gratitude for everything & everyone that makes your days full. I have definitely taken some steps back to remember how incredibly lucky I am to be blessed with so much.
2) Get out of your own way. On the summit I spoke to the story about Andrew wanting his truck and stopping at nothing until he got it. He was determined to have what he wanted. This has been an incredibly important lesson to me. October 2, 2016 I ran a half marathon. I am in training for the Marine Corps Marathon in D.C. in two weeks. I told myself I was going to be doing a long run and would take the half at marathon pace, which I started out. Somewhere along mile 6 or 7, something came over me that just made me want to pick up my pace. I quit running for a year after 10 years of constantly running and have been incredibly discouraged with myself. I ended up running a course PR, with ease. The moment I realized what I just did post-race, I immediately thought of Andrew. So I thank you for the reminder how we all can be our own worst enemies and the only direction to move is forward.
It’s incredibly terrible Andrew will not have all the opportunities he should have, but his spirit still lives on and teaching us to be more grateful for each moment.
-Cristin S. Turner
Portland, ME
Over Memorial Day weekend I had the privilege of carrying Andrew Small’s stone to the top of Owl mountain in Baxter State Park. The trail was a challenge but the climb with Andrews stone was a pleasure and an honor.
Andrew made the ultimate sacrifice by giving his life to defend our country. His selfless act allows myself and others the opportunity to continue to live our lives in this great country.
As I received Andrews stone before the hike the overwhelming feeling of honor, protection and courage fulfilled me. The stone of Andrew was now in my hands to bring to the peak of Owl Mountain along with his story to share with others.
At the peak of Owl when I began to share, I told of how what really inspired me about Andrew was the he was a loving son. He was a soldier but he also was a person first and foremost who made the most of his short life. People and soldiers such as Andrew will never be forgotten as long as individuals continue to honor the fallen soldiers with TSP.
Andrew Small and I shared a short journey to the top of a mountain but he will remain with me as I continue my own personal journey to the top of many more mountains that my life will lead me up and over. By learning about Andrew as a soldier and a person I gained a clearer vision of what it means to be an American. His honor and valor that he displayed as a soldier must have been something to see. I will always remember the honor that was bestowed upon me over that weekend and remember that without Andrew, his stone and his story that none of that weekend would be possible.
I thank Cindy and Terry Small for the opportunity to carry Andrew’s stone and story and want to let them know that they should continue to be proud of Andrew. Not only am I proud, but all those who ever met Andrew are still proud as well.
Thank you
Andy Munzing
Dear family of Andrew,
I just finished hiking Table Rock Mountain with campers who all have a parent or sibling currently serving in the military. This is what three children had to say about carrying Andrew
“It was a very cool experience. This was my second year doing this program and I am very happy that I got to. The hike was rough for me but I pushed through and accomplished my goal. Andrew was there the whole time and helped me along the way.”
“Andrew, though he only spent very little time in service, he impacted so many people including his entire platoon. He was honored with 8 medals and the silver star for his impressive actions and efforts. Andrew was only a kid of 19 years young, but how he affected everyone he came into contact with, that’s why he is loved and remembered.”
“Andrew was very determined and I think that if he had lived longer to be more than a PFC he would do great things and to think that I lived on the same Army base as he is pretty cool. It was worth the hike to do this, thank you for your service, you will be remembered.”
I would like to personally thank you for sharing your son and his life with us and others who take part in this amazing program.
To the family and friends of Andrew,
Two weeks ago, Michael Keighley and I hiked up Table Rock Mountain in Maine with 44 teenagers who all have a parent or sibling currently serving in the military. They carried 28 stones up the mountain that day. Here is a letter from the campers that had the honor of carrying your hero.
“Andrew seemed like a very good and selfless person. He cared about his soldiers very much, which is very honorable. Thank you for the opportunity to learn about him.”
-Hannah
Dear Family and Friends of Army Pfc. Andrew Small,
It was an honor to carry Andrew’s stone last week (8/13/2017) at the Husky Ruck Memorial 10k at Pineland Farms in New Gloucester, Maine. I participated in this event with my wife and two children (ages 14 and 8). My wife and 14 year old also carried stones during the event. It is so important to me that we remember and pay tribute to the sacrifices of those who have served, and just as importantly their families and loved ones. It is equally important that my children understand and appreciate the selflessness of those that serve our country as Andrew did.
I found myself smiling while watching the video interview – learning about Andrew. I loved hearing about his grin and the story of him buying the pickup truck before even having his license. Knowing this about him, I can imagine that he had a big impact on his fellow soldiers and everyone he came in contact with. His life was far too short, but one which enriched all those that he came in contact with.
The ruck we did as a family ended in an obstacle course, which we also completed together. I was proud and honored to carry Andrew with me and my family that day, and so grateful I was able to learn more about him and what made him so special. Maine Heroes are truly Not Forgotten!
On October 14, 2017, my son Colby and I took part in remembering our fallen heroes by hiking Cadillac Mountain with the Summit Project. Both of us hiked with Team Tarn. Colby carried the story and the stone of Private First Class Andrew R. Small while I carried the story and the stone of Lieutenant Jerry R. Smith. Colby and I got our stone assignments and we began to study our fallen heroes.
PFC was originally from Wiscasset. PFC Small was killed by small arms fire on August 11, 2006 in Afghanistan. We learned that he sacrificed himself to give his platoon a better positon while they were under fire. He earned ten awards during his tenure in the army.
Lieutenant Jerry Smith of Greenville died on August 15, 2007 while flying an E-2C off the coast of North Carolina. He was just days away from completing his final training in becoming a Navy Pilot.
This was our second Cadillac Hike with The Summit Project (TSP). It was great to see our TSP family again. The day could not have been better. The weather was great and the group was terrific. Colby and I continued to remember the lives of our soldiers throughout the hike. As we made it to each break, we took in the breath-taking views as we did in past years remembering our mission and the sacrifices our heroes made so we can have such beautiful days.
Our team made it to the top of Cadillac around noon time. It’s always a special event. I shared the story of Lt. Smith with the rest of my team. Colby followed shortly thereafter. We learned about the other stones that were carried throughout the hike. Words cannot express the mixture of emotions and feeling everyone gets during the ceremony.
Following the ceremony, we returned to Smugglers Den where met with more TSP family, accepting our stones. Colby and I were honored to learn and honor two more heroes from Maine and are looking forward to future events with our TSP family, both new and old.
Mr & Mrs Small,
Hello. I came across this page as I was looking for stories and pictures of my old friend, Andrew. I’ve been thinking a lot about him lately, as well as Roger and James, and it’s difficult to keep my emotions from time to time, especially lately. It’s hard to believe how long it has been since he passed, and I find it strangely timed that I’ve found this page just after the day he should have turned 31. When I think of Andrew, there are certain things I will always remember about your son. I never had the honor of carrying his stone, but there are two distinct memories I will always carry with me.
I served with Andrew in Battle Company, 1-32 (Chosin Battalion). We were at the ranch house together. I remember one night, we had to go over-watch a house, looking for some guy. It was pouring down rain that night, and we both thought the patrol was going to be cancelled. But of course, it’s the infantry, and we had to go anyway. We waited for a break in the weather before we pushed out. The break came, and we stepped off. As soon as we were out of the wire, the rain came right back, and we were drenched in a matter of seconds.
When we finally got to our position, after slipping and falling in he mud several times, Andrew and I were set in the middle of the patrol base together. The sergeant that was leading the patrol told us all we only needed a few men to stay up and keep watch, so Andrew and I tried to stay warm together. In both of our brilliant planning, we forgot to bring a poncho to try and keep the rain off of us, but I did remember my poncho liner, the army version of a blanket, and a cheap version at that. After short debates of how we would use the liner, we ended up spooning together in a feeble attempt to keep warm. It was so cold, wet, and miserable that nothing would have helped. But for some reason or another, possibly for how ridiculous the situation was, we ended up laughing through most the night. “There’s no way the enemy is out in this weather, but thank goodness we are, freezing our asses off.” The sergeant was mad at first, but we couldn’t stop chuckling about the situation. If it wasn’t for Andrew, that night would have only been miserable. But even in the down pour and misery, we made it through the night. A funny, miserable night I’ll bever forget, and cherish forever.
The second memory was the night before his final patrol; out patrol. We had to do a layout of our equipment the night before we left; we had to make sure we had everything. I wasn’t sleeping in the same building as his squad, so I had to carry my gear into his squads building. Andrew was nice enough to let me use his bed to dump my gear onto. During the inspection, there were some items i had forgot to bring to the inspection, so I would grab some of his items to try and make it look like I had what I needed. I wasn’t very subtle about it. He did the same when he forgot something too. We just laughed it off, and the staff sergeant Antonson couldn’t get mad either when Andrew smiled and laughed. We all got a kick out of it. Good laughs and great memories I’ll never forget.
I don’t know how many times I’ve told those stories, but they still bring a smile to my face, and to those who hear it.
I wanted to share these memories with you because I feel it’s important you know he is still remembered, and he is still missed, by the people who had the privilege to know him. I know he saved the lives of his platoon that tragic day. He saved my life that day, and I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to say thank you enough. I like to think that in telling these humorous stories, Andrew continues to live on.
Thank you Nicholas. I don’t know if you’ll ever see this reply, but today on his 13th Anniversary I reread it again and smiled. Thank you for sharing your memories of him.
Cindy and Terry Small
Cindy,
Another anniversary. Has it been 15 years already? It feels like it was only yesterday. I still think of Andrew and your family, often. I hope all is well.
Sincerely,
Nicholas
On Saturday, September 29th 2018, I had the honor and privilege of carrying the stone of US Army Private First Class Andrew Small up Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park.
Andrew, who was from Wiscasset, Maine, was killed on August 11, 2006 in the line of duty in Afghanistan. He was just 19 years old. When his platoon came in contact with enemy fire, Andrew fought back and continued to return fire, even after he was wounded, so that his men could get to safety. Andrew died that day, earning a Silver Star for gallantry in action.
From my research about Andrew’s life, I learned that his actions that day were not unique. He was a young man who, before and through his service, made sacrifices so those around him were better off.
Andrew almost always bore a grin on his face. He could lighten the mood in any situation by flashing that grin, and it was nearly impossible for anyone to get and stay mad at him because of it. With first his parents and then his sergeants, he was able to get away with more than his peers because he was so likeable. I read stories of him taking the brunt of blame for mistakes and mishaps to cover for his peers because he knew he had the advantage of being able to dilute tension.
Andrew was an optimist and a dreamer – he looks forward to the future and what his life would bring. I learned that his first car was a white pickup truck that he had purchased before he even had his license to drive. He kept his truck in the driveway and spent time in it, imagining and practicing for the day he would get on the road. Similarly, when he was deployed, I read stories of him using his sense of optimism to keep his platoon in good spirits. Despite bad weather, despite trying exercises and late-night watches, he always found the humor and good in any situation he and his peers found themselves in. He was the type of guy you wanted to have around.
Andrew and I have some things in common. We both love Maine. We both are passionate about New England sports. We both had white pickup trucks as our first cars. Unlike Andrew, I have had the opportunity to experience my 20s and, with good fortune, will experience many years to come. In his absence and in honor of his memory, I vow to keep his spirit and his grin alive.
Clare E Peaslee
To the family and friends of US Army Private First Class Andrew R. Small,
The other day I had the privilege of carrying PFC Small’s stone during a day long hike at Gulf Hagas. I was joined by 20 of my fellow airmen in my unit, many who also carried stones for The Summit Project. We had been planning this event for months and we were honored to be able to experience it while remembering and honoring Maine’s military members who have fallen. The day before the hike, I was told my stone had been switched. Upon receiving PFC Small’s name, I made sure to do all my research to ensure that I was able to capture who PFC Small was as a person, as well as what he did for his country. I was astounded at the bravery and courage that 19 year old PFC Andrew Small showed on his last day. His selflessness and determination saved the lives of most of his 22-man platoon. I am only a few years older than he was when he passed, and to learn that someone as young as PFC Small was able to be that fearless is inspiring and not often heard of.
The hike we participated in was about 8 miles long and took around 6.5 hours. There were many times that we would stop to look at the scenic falls and someone would talk about their stone, their fallen hero and what they had sacrificed for their country. When it was my turn to talk about PFC Andrew Small, I wanted to make sure I was also able to capture the essence of who he was. I included what you said in the video about how his great big grin didn’t allow people to stay mad at him for too long. I really connected with this fact about him. I smile A LOT, and I try to do what I can to brighten people’s days and it sounds like PFC Small did the same. The hike, although not overly strenuous, was long, and the day was hot and humid. While I was hiking, I reminded myself that life can be short, everyday should be lived to the fullest and that is what I wanted to do for PFC Small, to be goofy, to have fun, to laugh, but also to honor his memory. He earned the Silver Star among many other awards through his selfless actions and I will carry his memory with me wherever I go. It was an honor to be able to share this hike and its beautiful views with PFC Small.
On a final note, my father has been in the Maine Army National Guard since he was 17 years old. I went to see him after my hike yesterday. I showed him the information that I had written up about PFC Small and included a few pictures of him. My dad promptly reminded me that he had been serving in the Army in Afghanistan that same year. I was shocked that I didn’t connect those dots at the time. Matter of fact he said, ‘If I’m not mistaken, I most likely attended this young man’s ramp ceremony in Afghanistan.” After that moment I realized how small the world can be sometimes and I felt even more connected and touched by PFC Small’s story and his sacrifice.
I want to thank you for his sacrifice as well as for allowing me to carry his stone. I will carry PFC Andrew R. Small with me wherever I go, I will live life to the fullest in his honor, and I will share his story with all that will listen. Lastly, I will always remember him as the hero that he is.
Respectfully,
SrA Baylee R. Smith
Maine Air National Guard
Thank you Baylee for carrying Andrew’s stone and for your beautiful words.
Terry and Cindy Small
Prouds parents of Pfc Andrew R Small
Thank you Baylee for your tribute. I, too, hiked for PFC Andrew Small. He is with me always. Your tribute was beautiful.❤️
The Silver Star was awarded (Posthumously) to Private First Class Andrew R. Small, United States Army, “for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action on 11 August 2006, while under intense hostile fire as a Squad Automatic Weapons Gunner, Company B, 1st Battalion, 32d Infantry Regiment, 3d Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, (Task Force CHOSIN), during combat operations in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, at Nuristan, Afghanistan. Private First Class Small’s courage and dedication to duty were paramount as he ran into enemy gunfire in order to return fire on the enemy fortified position and allow a fellow wounded Soldier time to drag himself out of the kill zone.”
Cindy & Terry (and your entire family) –
I was truly humbled on August 11th, 13 years after your son showed such bravery and regard for his fellow soldier, to walk with his stone and memory around Hadlock Field in the opening ceremony of the Military Appreciation Game. In a time when so many 19 year olds are worried more about the jeans they wear or the car they drive, Andrew was serving his country and fighting for our freedoms. I was so pleased to meet you both and to be a part of the ceremony in which Andrew was honored. After watching the video, and reading about Andrew’s life, I can see that he was in some ways a typical young man, loving his cars and stereo, but he was clearly wise beyond his years. I thank you, truly, for raising such a fine young man and for sharing his life and legacy with TSP so we could learn from him. I hope to see you again soon. Maine Heroes are Not Forgotten.
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Smith,
On September 28th, 2019, I had the honor and privilege of carrying your son PFC Andrew R Small’s story and stone to the summit of Cadillac Mountain.
On a typical day, if my alarm clock went off at 4:30 am, I would hit the snooze button at least three times. I would then drag myself out of bed and drink a few cups of coffee before even contemplating starting my day. The day of the hike proved to be no typical day. I found myself awake and a full pot of coffee brewed before my alarm even went off. I felt full of energy and ready to share the story of the incredible young man I had read so much about. I had already packed my gear the prior night so, the only thing left to do was to stop at the store and grab a few extra snacks for the hike.
Upon entering the store the first shelf I looked at was lined with Swedish fish “a sign from Andrew for sure”. I picked up the biggest bag they had to share with my fellow hikers in memory of Andrew at the summit of our hike. At the checkout counter, the lady was curious as to why I was so excited to buy candy. I proceeded to tell her all about Andrew and the purpose of The Summit Project. I explained Andrew’s love of receiving Swedish fish and macaroni and cheese while overseas. When I was finished sharing Andrew’s life story I realized I had a line of three people behind me. I quickly apologized for the hold up of the line and started to walk away. Two people spoke up and said thank you for sharing his story and asked more questions about TSP. I was all too happy to oblige and filled them in on TSP and where to find more information.
The sun was just starting to rise when I left the store. As I passed by some water on the left, the pink and purple sky reflected beautifully off the perfectly calm water. Any other day I would have sat and watched the sunrise. Today was not any other day, I kept driving because I did not want to be late picking up Andrew’s stone.
The hike started amazingly beautiful. The leaves were all starting to show off their vibrant colors, and the rain from the previous day made the air smell fresh and feel crisp. We all began to talk about what brought us to join the TSP family. We shared stories of our previous hikes and paused often to take in the scenery. It was not too long before we reached the summit of the Precipice Trail. We paused for a moment to take out our stones and made sure to take plenty of pictures. This was when our team leader explained that the Bubble Trail to the summit of Cadillac Mt. was much more difficult and we needed to get going. Boy was she right.
Halfway up one of the boulders, I managed to lose my footing not once but twice. I made the ultimate mistake of looking down and realized that the only thing below me was a straight drop to the bottom of the mountain. It was then that I learned that I did not have a fear of heights, just a healthy fear of falling and body froze in place. My teammates were great. They found the best gripping spots for my hands and feet to start moving up the mountain again. Moving is a strong word, I more or less slinked on my belly and eventually crawled on my hands and knees up the remainder of the boulder. My victory at the top was short-lived as I realized there were more, bigger, and wetter boulders to climb. Not to my surprise, I froze halfway up yet again. My teammate mentioned I had to go up or down but I couldn’t stay here as it gets too cold at night. Instantly I thought of the story his friend Nicholas wrote about. He wrote of the night they had been on guard duty, and how they spooned together in the cold and rain to stay warm. For a second or two, I thought of the idea of staying mountainside with Andrew’s stone. As good as it sounded in my head I knew I had to keep moving. I was not about to let Andrew’s stone and story get left on the side of the mountain.
With Andrew’s sense of humor, I am sure he was laughing and having a good chuckle about my predicament. With the aid of my team, I once again began to find my footing and “inched” my way up the next few boulders just as slowly as an inchworm would. Once the trail turned into a more manageable grade I was able to finally get back on my feet and reach the summit in a more timely manner. I could not help but smile and laugh at my ordeal. The laughter quickly turned into a bunch of mixed emotions. I was relieved to reach the top in one piece, happy I got Andrew to the summit, and sad knowing my journey with Andrew was coming to an end.
When it came time for us to share the stories of our soldiers, everyone seemed to be at a loss for words. I came prepared as usual with a well-written list of important life details to share. But, I could not help but question how one could simply sum up one’s life in a few mere minutes? Will my words do his life’s justice? Did I do enough research to capture his true essence and personality?
Once I began to speak, the words seemed to spill out. I spoke of his 8 medals, most importantly the Silver star and how he obtained it. I also spoke of his love of the Red Sox, Patriots, video games, friends, his first GMC and being “Mommy’s baby pretty boy”. I passed around the Swedish fish and everyone ate some in his honor. In the end, the ceremonial circle was truly a humbling experience, and one I will never forget.
I can’t thank you both enough for sharing your most precious memories of Andrew and for allowing me the opportunity to go on this incredibly humbling journey with him. My adventure with his stone was one I could never forget, and I will make sure to pass along his story to anyone willing to take the time to listen.
Chrissy
To The Family of Army PFC Andrew Small ,
My name is Kyle Harris and I am with the Nokomis Regional High School, JROTC program. I had the honor of carrying your son’s stone up Tumbledown Mountain. PFC Small gave his life for the United States of America. To keep us all safe from foreign enemies. I know PFC Small received the Silver Star Medal of Honor for his heroics. He not only protected our country, he sacrificed his life to save members of his platoon. PFC Small was and is a hero and someone that others can look up to.
Kyle Harris
PFC 1st Class
Nokomis Regional High School, JROTC
Dear Terry, Cindy and all those who loved Andrew:
I had the distinct honor to carry Andrew’s stone this year for the Memorial Day events. This year, hikers were offered the unique opportunity to have the stones with us for a few weeks around the Memorial Day weekend. During this time, I was able to carry Andrew with me to the top of Borestone Mountain in Elliotsville. It’s the closest place to heaven on Earth that I can imagine being and it was a pleasure being able to share that experience with him. From there, I brought him to complete the memorial Murph event. If you’re unfamiliar, that is an annual fitness event to celebrate not only the life and legacy of Mike Murphy, a fallen soldier who was killed in action in 2005, but all the men and women who have died protecting our freedom. Andrew’s stone and picture sat front and center while I completed this event and I truly believe it was his presence that got me through it. There were tears and smiles as I thought about just how incredible Andrew was, how tremendous his accomplishments in his life were. Following this, I was able to bring Andrew’s stone to Acadia National Park for a hike with my son over a few peaks there. This was especially moving for me as I thought about just how amazing your son was, what a gift his life was to all those who knew him and how much my heart aches for all of you. Being able to share Andrew’s story with so many people over these experiences has been my pleasure. He will live on in my heart always and he will not be forgotten. My deepest gratitude to you all for sharing him with me,
Sincerely,
Amanda Prescott
Hampden, Maine
Hello again Terry, Cindy and all of Andrew’s loved ones,
This past weekend, I had the privilege of being reunited with Andrew’s stone for the fall Summit Project hike in ANP. This event was in person so I was able to share with our group the incredible young man that Andrew was. To share a bit about his life and his incredible accomplishments with others is a memory I will hold always. Andrew’s name, his story and legacy will be remembered, spoken and talked about. Thank you so much for allowing me to learn about Andrew; he has touched my life in so many ways!
Cindy and Terry and all who loved Andrew,
To say this hike was challenging could be an understatement. I knew it was going to be buggy, so I bought some Ben’s bug spray with 100% DEET. Upon waking and getting dressed for the hike, I could not find my spray. I stopped by the rec hall to grab a little something for breakfast and headed up to the meeting spot for the van. It was a little buggy but not too bad so I thought I would be alright. The ride over the Golden Road is always an adventure but we made good time and arrived at the trail head a little ahead of schedule. Getting out of the van was a wakeup call to the bugs we would encounter. They were everywhere!! Others were reapplying their spray and I was able to bum a few squirts off a team member. We headed out after a quick team picture. The trail wasn’t too bad; mossy areas with some downed trees we had to cross over, as well as a little foot bridge or rock hopping across some creeks. I was just settling into a rhythm, step and swat arm, step and swat other arm, breath…, when we started our big ascent. It was gradual at first and then became steeper and winding. With the humidity in the forest with the mosses, I was trying to control my breathing and initiated or welcomed some brief rests along the way. All along this way, I kept thinking back to the Silver star citation of your son Andrew. A man of 19, placing other’s lives above his and drawing in enemy fire so his squad leader can be brought to safety. The sense of pride that I have for him gave me the extra boost to keep pushing forward. To put in 110% effort because that is what he did.
We made it to an opening where we had our sharing circle. These are always difficult for me, not because I don’t prepare and have something to share, but I’m an emotional guy and I always get choked up. Reliving my learning about his white truck, his grandmother buying him a radio for it, all before he even had his license. His love of Kraft Mac n Cheese, Swedish Fish, Ranch Dressing and Mountain Dew. And then the reason we were all there, the day he was killed. I had planned to read some of the citation, because I was so proud and amazed that a 19-year-old could be this selfless, but I couldn’t get the words out. After a few more photo ops, we were back on the trail. Once we hit the trail to start our decent, my legs started cramping up. I knew I had been drinking my water and had a Gatorade with electrolytes at the top, so I wasn’t sure what was happening. A teammate had a pickle pouch, so I took a couple pickles. That didn’t seem to help, so I decided to try a drink of the pickle juice. Let’s just say I left a little more DNA on the mountain then just my sweat. Once my legs loosened, we started back down. If we kept moving, I was doing fine. Nearer to the end I asked for Andrew’s help once more and he gave me the nudge I needed.
Driving back to base camp and waiting at the painted rock for Team Blue was harder than the descent. Sitting in the van, I continued to cramp up and was happy when we finally arrived at base camp. Handing the stone back at the end of our day is another hard time for me. Having spent nearly 2 months learning about your son and then having him guide and nudge me through this hike, I almost didn’t want to give him back. I cannot even begin to imagine the hole that has been left in your life with his sacrifice. To you, I am grateful for you raising a son of such high standards and selflessness. I have pledge and will continue to pledge, with each stone and story I carry, to be an American worthy of their sacrifice. For that piece of your heart that is missing, know that Andrew has filled a piece of mine and will be with me until the last breath I take.
PS.
As I was scrolling to get to the end to post, I came across his battle buddy Nicholas’ comment. He summed my experience up in a comment about his experience with Andrew. After a night out on patrol, in the pouring rain, he and Andrew were up on watch. Both had forgotten their poncho’s but Nicholas has his liner (woobie). They spooned under that to stay as warm and dry as they could but it wasn’t helping much and they got to laughing. He said “But even in the down pour and misery, we made it through the night. ” So even though this hike may have been a little miserable, Andrew helped me make it through!
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Small and family,
I had the honor and privilege to carry Andrew’s stone on the TSP ANP hike this September. When I first went on the TSP website, and saw that Andrew was 19 years old when he died, I was heartbroken. When I learned more about him from your video and reading about his military honors, I was completely amazed with his bravery and heroics. I also loved that he was known for his grin, his first car and his love of sports. I saw that he had 3 brothers and a large extended family. How lucky he was to have all of you in his life.
When I read about his bravery and how he saved his Sergeant and many members of his platoon, I was so amazed that someone so young could act with such courage. He defended his platoon with his actions, without thought about how it might affect himself. His life was short, but he lived it to the fullest. You must be so proud to call him your son. The United States is lucky to have young men like him, who are willing to sacrifice all to save their mates, and to preserve our country and our freedom.
When it was time for me to share his story at the top of Cadillac Mountain, it was hard for me to speak as I thought about all he had done and how he gave his life for others. I somehow got through it by remembering all the wonderful things you shared about his smile and family and his first car.
One of my sons also entered the military after high school, went to Afghanistan and lost some of his buddies. The picture of your son reminds me so much of my son. They could have been brothers. The look in his eyes tells me that being a soldier was what he loved and was made for. When I carried your son’s stone, I felt that he was one of my sons. He will be in my heart always.
Marybeth Robinette
Huntington, NY
Marybeth thank you for your kind words and sharing some of your life with us. I’m very happy to hear your son made it home. Thank you for taking our son into your heart.
Cindy & Terry Small
Proud parents of Pfc Andrew R Small
Thank you for sharing your son’s story, so that we can share it with others. On 08/24/2023, Andrew’s stone spent the day in Brunswick, ME with members of the Veterans Benefits Administration staff as we walked around the park, stopping at the beautiful Veterans Plaza for a moment of reflection.
Dear Cindy and Terry,
First of all, I want to thank you again for sharing your stories about Andrew as well as sending along a copy of his Silver Star Citation letter. Secondly, I want you to know how honored I was to carry Andrew’s stone with me at TSP Acadia this year.
When I read about Andrew, so many things went through my mind as they often do when I learn about our heroes. The fact that he was so young when he died affected me the most. It is so sad that he never had the chance to take advantage of the many wonderful things in this world that his sacrifice helped to preserve for the rest of us.
I am also amazed at the level of bravery he showed at such a young age. I think about when I was 19 and more recently my two boys when they were 19. It’s true we never know how we would react in dire situations, but I’m awestruck by how he did not hesitate to put himself in harm’s way and paid the ultimate sacrifice to help his buddies get to safety. I know losing him was painful and although the grief lessens over time, it never goes away. However, I hope you truly take pride in the outstanding, selfless young man you raised.
It was an honor and a privilege to carry his stone and share his story with the rest of my team on the top of Cadillac Mountain. I hope I have the chance to meet you someday so that I can give you my gratitude in person and learn a little more about your heroic son. God bless!
Thank you Steve for carrying Andrew’s stone and for your touching words. They touched the heart of both Terry & I. We are very proud of Andrew and what he did that day. We too hope that we can meet you someday. Again thank you for honoring our son.
Dear Cindy and Terry,
I had the honor and privilege of carrying your son’s stone up Doubletop in Baxter State Park. Learning about him and his story was an amazing experience. To say that he was a hero would be an understatement. He made the ultimate sacrifice to save his brothers.
The climb up Doubletop was challenging but the thought of your son’s notorious grin and sharing his story kept me going. While on top of the peak, we saw a bald eagle fly across the beautiful Maine scenery. It was an incredible backdrop for sharing Andrew’s story. The team got a good chuckle out of the truck story.
I am deeply sorry for your loss, and I will continue to share the story of this Maine hero.
Thank you Andrew for honoring our son. We appreciate it so much.
Cindy & Terry
To the Small Family,
It was our honor and privilege to carry the stone of Andrew’s Stone from Portland, ME to Millinocket, ME.
Hearing, reading and learning about Andrew was an experience we will never forget and will always cherish. There were tears and smiles traveling through East Millinocket and how incredible Andrew was, how tremendous his accomplishments in his life were. This was so moving for us as we thought about just how amazing your son was, what a gift his life was to all those who knew him. Being able to share Andrew’s story with so many people over these experiences has been our pleasure. Andrew will not be forgotten. Our deepest gratitude to you all for sharing him with us.
Yours truly, Debra Nelson-Labrie and Val Labrie
Thank you Debra & Val for honoring our son. We are very proud of him.
Cindy & Terry
To the parents and family of Army PFC Andrew R Small,
On Saturday, August 10th I carried Andrew’s stone in my pack. It was my first Ruck for the Fallen. It was long and it was hard. I feel like we are always given the perfect hero for us, for that day. Andrew was born the same year as my son. I thought about the similarities they probably had. I thought about my son starting out into the adult world at 19, and Andrew’s sacrifice at such a young age. I just know they would have been great friends. I carried Andrew’s name on my lips. I carried his soul in my hands. I felt his weight. I felt his spirit and his life with me, as I continued step by step. I took the stone from my bag, and proudly held it in my hands as I crossed the finish line. I am so very thankful to have met Andrew in this way. I was unbelievably honored to carry his stone and story. I am so grateful to The Summit Project for the work they do. We remember. We share their story. We say their name. We will not forget. I have shared Andrew’s story with many people over the last few days. Thank you for that honor.
Terry and Cindy, you are amazing people. You raised an amazing man. I know in my heart, Andrew is with you always.
Peace to you,
Eileen
Thank you Eileen for honoring our son and your beautiful words.
Cindy & Terry
To the family of Andrew Small,
I had the privilege to carry your son’s stone up Cadillac Mountain this weekend, along with my amazing team mates. I worked up until that bus ride up to the trail head, on what I would share and how I would share his story.
I managed to get out everything he was prior to his passing. Sharing about his young beginning and his family and the joy he had for life. My mamma heart just broke in my attempt to share the details of his sacrifice. My mind goes right to my son and feelings of your loss just overtook my soul.
The write up I had though was shared with my team mates and we carried that weight together. Your sons selflessness, and the zero hesitation he had, and just his whole heart and soul, is a story I will never forget. I will carry his memory with honor for the rest of my days.
Erin-Elyse Boudreau