Andrew Hand Obituary

To family and friends:
Please know that SPC Andrew Hand was honored today (as he is every year) at the annual "I Did the Grid 4 mile run" on Long Island, NY. The names of 4 fallen heroes are printed on each runners bib. At the finish line each runner rings a bell 4 times to honor each of the soldiers on their bib. I wanted you to know that I had the privilege of ringing the bell for SPC Andrew Hand today.
My deepest sympathy for your loss.
He will never be forgotten!

I had the honor of having Andrew in my platoon during our 2006 deployment. He was full of life and wonder, especially when he had a guitar in his hand. During our deployment, a guy named Thom Sheppard came over on a USO tour. Andrew and this guy played together for hours. He was a great Soldier who loved his family, friends and music. I where a bracelet in his honor as a reminder to live each day to the fullest.

I am his son Tristan hand my brother Gavin hand my mom Amanda hand. I remember when I through snow balls in Washington state with him I could never make a snow ball so I just through snow. I miss him every day I were his ring to remember him.

Thinking of Spc Andrew Lee Hand on this Memorial Day, and never forgetting what he gave up for me. My thoughts remain with his family who live daily with their loss.

July 24th 2013
In memory & honor of Andrew Hand, on the anniversary of his passing.

Remembering Andrew on this day and everyday.

Thank you for giving your all spec han

July 24, 2012
To the family and friends of Spc. Andrew Hand:
Remembering Andrew on the anniversary of his passing. May our fallen heroes never be forgotten.

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort. Thank you SPC. Hand and family for your service and ultimate sacrifice. You will ALWAYS be an Alabama/American hero and WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!
With DEEP sympathy and MANY thanks to you and your family,

Lisa Swanzy (Sad yet THANKFUL American),

Dear Family of SPC Andrew Hand,
Remembering your loved one and praying you will feel God's loving arms around you especially today. SPC Andrew Hand's life, his service to our country and his great sacrifice will not be forgotten. God bless

To the family of Spc. Andrew Hand:
Andrew gave the ultimate sacrifice and will be held in the hearts of Americans forever. I cannot and will not let our fallen heroes be forgotten. My deepest sympathy to you. "Some gave all."

I am so sorry to hear of your family's loss. I know there are no words to say at this time except to let you know the thoughts of many are with you in this time of sorrow. May our Father give you comfort and peace in the years to come.

I played football with Andrew back when I was a sophomore at EHS. I admired his resolve. I am honored to have followed in serving in the military.

I hope that one day I can cover some of the songs he wrote in honor of his life and contribution to our country.

Prayer for Peace

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
To be loved, as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Amen

Dear Friends,

We just learned of your loss. Words cannot express our feelings at such a time. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.

You made the ultimate sacrifice, and your country is indebted to you forever. You will not be forgotten; RIP.

I and my family are so sorry for the loss of your husband, father, son,and friend. We thank you and Spc Hand for being unselfish enough to serve our country - it is probably not enough to say this, but please know that in our part of this great country, we are honoring his memory, his service, and the service you and your family gave too - make no mistake, when our soldiers go on duty, we understand that you all are on duty too. May God comfort you all and bless you, and just know that you are thought of and prayed for. Sincerely, Carol Golden Lirette

The Final Salute

“Brothers in Arms”, Military men and women down through the centuries, have traditionally exchanged “Hand Salutes” as a sign of recognition and as a way to render courtesy and respect one to another.

This “Hand Salute” is the last that we shall render to our Brother-in-Arms Spc. Andrew Hand. To his family it symbolizes the love and respect that we have for Andrew. And to Andrew it is rendered as a symbol of honor and gratitude to thank him for the ultimate sacrifice he made for his country while opposing enemy forces in Afghanistan. No greater love is shown than a man lay down his life for another. Andrew, you are a brave American Warrior, a true Patriot and a national Hero. With your passing, our Country has lost a National Treasure. We bid you a sad farewell. You will be dearly missed from among our ranks. Be at ease. Rest in Peace.

On behalf of the 1,335 military Legionnaire Veterans of Lowe-McFarlane Post 14 of the American Legion in Shreveport, Louisiana, I extend our sympathies and our condolences to Andrew’s family and loved ones.

Dennis N. Engdahl, Commander, American Legion Post 14
5315 S. Lakeshore Drive, Shreveport, LA 71109

I am Deeply Saddened to learn of the loss of Spc Andrew Hand. The Price this Brave Young Soldier and his family have paid for this country and for freedom, Will Never Be Forgotten.

There will Never Be Enough Ways to Humbly Thank our Young Heroes for their Sacrifices, my brother among them, killed in action in Vietnam in 1967.

"Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee."
~ Psalm 55:22 ~

I am sincerely hoping that you can feel the thoughts of caring and support that surround you today and in the difficult days ahead, as this Grateful Country mourns with you, for Someone Very Precious to you, Who Is A True American Hero to all of us.
You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Words is just not enough. We are indebted to you for keeping this country secure and the freedom that every American continues to enjoy. God Bless.

My deepest condolences to the Hand Family. Andrew will be dearly missed by so many.
May the wonderful memories he left behind bring some comfort to the family at this very difficult time. And may the peace of the Living God, thru prayer guard your hearts and thoughts to help all of you to cope without him. Rely on the strength of the Creator of all things, to keep going. Phil 4:6,7,13

I know there are no words to say at this time, except how sorry that I am. I truly feel your loss and pain. My thoughts and prayers are with you always. Andrew will never be forgotten.

For you every single soldier
Those who served so honorable
Your life was forever altered
While I’m home safe and free
I stand with grateful admiration
I stand respectful and so proud
I know I’m only a civilian
And I don’t even know if it’s allowed

But I salute you; allow me the honor
to salute you with permission let me say
Even though I hold no rank know that from my heart
My humble gratitude comes from the deepest part.
I salute you.

For those missing in action;
for those who didn’t make it home.
I know you’re in God’s presence you are not alone.
For every neatly folded flag;
for every shattered family
I will do the only thing I know to dignify your memory.

I salute you, allow me the honor
to salute you with permission let me say
even though I hold no rank know that from my heart
my humble gratitude comes from the deepest part.

I salute you .


Suzanne MacDaniel - A Proud Aunt

SGT. David M. Fisher
KIA 12/1/04 - Iraq

Dear Hand family,
I went to school with Andrew, all through elem and high school at brookwood. mrs. hand was even my ninth grade english teacher. I just want to say that I'm sorry for your loss and Andrew will be missed greatly. He was such a nice guy and he will be remembered as a good man who served his country well. Much sympathy. -Danielle (Swindle)Carroll graduate 2003 bwood

our heart goes out to you & deepest sympathy, prayers to you. It's a comfort knowing that he's with the Lord and that we'll see him again one day! i pray u'll keep eternity-focused & in the Lord's will. - the Britton family from Bwood/Cdale

From the children in Tuscaloosa that had the honor to know Andrew. What a blessing to have been part of his life. To the heroes! God Speed.

So sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you. May God lift you up in this time of sorrow.

You will truly be missed! You left a wonderful footprint in life never to be forgotten. The family will miss you.
Karen, Brandon, Trevor, Vivien and Balin

May God be with you and keep you all in his arms of comfort as you go through this time.

My deepest sympathies to Andrew's family. I am so sorry this happened to Andrew. I taught Laura and Andrew both at Brookwood Elem. They were two great students. Andrew was in my fourth grade class. He was so cute and such a sweet young man. He had a great personality and was full of energy and always into something. I remember he swallowed a dime one day at lunch. Thank goodness he wasnt hurt. It was funny after it was over and we knew he was okay. He was a mess. I enjoyed that year with him. Andrew made an impression on me as early as the fourth grade and has made a lasting impression on us all as a hero. I am grateful for his service to preserve our freedom in America. I know you will all miss him. May God bless Andrew and his family.
Loree Buck
Birmingham, Alabama

Spc. Andrew Hand, thank you for your service to our country.You will be truely missed by your family and friends. I have had the honor to work with Renee and have met your father. My heart goes out to them and to your beautiful family that is left behind. May God wrap his loving arms around the family. Rest in peace Andrew. You are an American Hero!! From an Army MOM.

We are with you constantly in thought and prayer in these, the next coming days, but also in the days thereafter....
Scott and Tammy Martin

a real hero ,and great american

Our most deepest sympathies to Andrew's family. May our father comfort you, strengthen you, guide you and give you complete understanding. If we can be of any help please call. 334-678-8009

Andrew, we will miss you; but we will remember those Friday night football games in the hole as we watched you on the field. Those are good memories. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. May God accept you into his eternal care, and grant peace and comfort to your family and friends. Rick, Mara, Ricky II, Joshua, & Johnathan Crosby

Coach Hand and Mrs. Hand, I am so sorry to hear about Andrew's passing. You and your entire family are in my thoughts and prayers. My son Karl Cain (now a 2LT in the Army) was a member of the football team while we were stationed at Fort Rucker.

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Kenneth and Renee I just saw on the news that Andrew had passed. I cannot begin to tell you how saddened Terri and I were with the news. Andrew was such a great kid! Seems like only yeaterday he and Adam were running around Woodland Forrest! Eventhough everyone can say they are proud of his service and we all are. Mostly we are just proud to have been a small part of his life. You guys will be in our prayers.

Bert and Terri McCollum

Kenneth and Family:
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your son Andrew. May God be with all of you and help to heal your broken hearts.

My love to you my sweet boy. FISH

The Blue Star Mothers of Alabama Chp 1, extend our deepest sympathies to all the family and friends of Spc Andrew Hand. You are all in our prayers. Please let us know if there is anything we can do.
Pamela Wilson
President
Blue Star Mothers of Al Chp1
[email protected]

I am so sorry for your loss. I pray that God will give you the strength to get through these difficult days ahead.

Charles Rutledge, US Army, Retired

Dear Ken, Renee and Hand Family, We are so sorry to hear of the loss of your loved one. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family.

Thank you SPC Hand for serving and giving the ultimate sacrifice. The family has my sympathy and prayers in this most trying time.

Dear Kenneth and family,
I am saddened to hear of your son's passing. Although I didn't know him I feel so much pain for you and your family. I truly appreciate his dedication and honor in serving in the Military. It is such a tragic loss to everyone. I will be sure to let Charles know and I know he sends his condolences. You and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers. With much love. Jane Anderson Allen-Henley and Charles M. Anderson

I am so sorry for your loss. I pray that God will give you the strength to get through the days ahead, and know that he is with you to hold your hand. My mothers pastor told her when my brother passed, "all you have to do is breath, God will handle the rest". your friend, Cathe McKay Cauthen

Although I did not know this precious man I feel his loss. Family you are in my prayers. Thank you Andrew for standing in my place for the good of our country.

God Bless and keep you all.

"No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for another". John 15:13

Kenneth & Family, we were so shocked to hear the news of Andrew. Our hearts go out to ya'll & our prayers. Sounds like he liked what he was doing. I pray for our soldiers every night. Whish we had gone to the reunion would have loved to see you. May God spread his arms around ya'll in this time of need. Lov, Theresa & Gary Stinchcomb

The Veterans of Foreign Wars and Gold Star Families are here for you. Please contact them when you are able. You're in our prayers.

We will honor Andrew forever. He is an American Hero.
Rob and Sarah Boothe, Pensacola