Recognizing Andrew Michael Huffman with A Congressional Veteran Commendation

Floor Speech

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Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to present Andrew Michael Huffman, of Centerville, Texas, with a Congressional Veteran Commendation. His servant's life reflects the hard work and dedication that exemplifies the best of our East Texas values.

Andrew Huffman entered active duty at Fort Snelling, Minnesota in June of 2006 at age nineteen. As Operation Enduring Freedom gained momentum, Air Force Security Force deployments to Afghanistan accelerated as the Taliban were driven from power and the Air Force moved in and secured bases in country. He served as protector and defender ensuring Air Force, joint and coalition forces were safe. The duty assignment was intensely dangerous as Andrew was once thrown from the top of an MRAP and out of a HUMVEE on two separate occasions in Afghanistan and later on assignment in Iraq. Andrew suffered two traumatic brain injuries, and his back was broken bringing him stateside for healing.

In 4 years of service, Senior Airman Huffman completed extensive training in law enforcement, criminal justice and combat tactics and was rewarded many times. Huffman earned the Army Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Award, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one Service Star, Iraq Campaign Medal with one Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Air Force Overseas Ribbon Short, Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Longevity Service, Air Force Training Ribbon and NATO Medal.

After war, Andrew struggled through alcohol and prescription drug addiction treatment programs but found success with the Retrieving Freedom program with his service dog, Wilson. Andrew helped grow a service dog non-profit, Bella's Buddies, while earning his college degree. In a new mission, Andrew began to speak at area schools, helped foster relationships with Cadets at Texas A&M, and regularly met with Veterans groups in the region and visited VA patients on a regular basis.

As Bella's Buddies grew, it developed connections to groups like Zac Brown's Camp Southern Ground, where Andrew served as a facilitator using dogs to guide veterans to better opportunities in life and living forward no matter what.

Andrew found personal love marrying Samantha over a year ago. Andrew now teaches and coaches at Buffalo Elementary while mentoring boys how to fix things around campus. He also coaches High School cross country and just joined the Centerville Volunteer Fire Department. Andrew still volunteers with Bella's Buddies as well as Rebuilding Warriors, a service dog group out of Madisonville.

Senior Airman Huffman has seen how fleeting life is on the battlefield, and in personal matters. Fortunately, for Andrew, he is figuring out that a key to a successful life is by serving others and celebrating their victories.

I proudly commend Andrew Michael Huffman, of Centerville, Texas to his friends, family, and colleagues, and salute his service to the Air Force, his country and community of Centerville by awarding him the 2024 Congressional Veteran Commendation.

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