CPL Andrew L. Hutchins

Andrew L. Hutchins was born on April 30, 1990, in Farmington, Maine. He was the son of Jeffrey and Robin, and he grew up alongside two brothers in the communities of New Portland and central Maine. From the beginning, Andrew was surrounded by the kind of close-knit family and rural Maine landscape that would shape who he became.

Andrew attended Carrabec High School in North Anson, Maine, graduating in 2008. He was remembered as a high achiever who took on challenging coursework and made his mark in the classroom, on the field, and in the community. He played basketball and baseball, and he was deeply involved in the Willpower Weightlifting program. He served as president of the Jobs for Maine Graduates program — a role that reflected the leadership and responsibility he carried throughout his life.

Andrew's interests extended well beyond athletics. He enjoyed bird hunting, fly-fishing, art, and poetry. He received recognition for his artwork, and he was known to solve a Rubik's Cube in approximately two minutes. As an eighth-grade student, he wrote a poem about a cousin who had been injured while serving in Iraq and later returned to combat — a quiet signal, perhaps, of the values that would guide his own path.

After graduating from Carrabec High School, Andrew joined the United States Army. He trained at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) — one of the most storied units in American military history. Andrew served as a military policeman and deployed to Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. The determination and leadership he had shown in school had found a new and demanding stage.

During his deployment, Andrew volunteered to repair equipment on a tower in heavy rain. He fell and suffered serious injuries, including a shattered wrist and a cracked hip bone. He was evacuated to the United States for surgery and physical therapy.

Despite those injuries, Andrew was determined to recover and return to Afghanistan to support his fellow soldiers. According to an account shared by Staff Sgt. Jarrod Stritt at Andrew's funeral, Andrew recovered faster than expected and returned to his unit in Afghanistan on September 14, 2010. He made this decision while his wife, Heather, was expecting their first child.

Andrew's determination to return reflected the loyalty and commitment that those who served with him remembered so clearly.

On November 8, 2010, CPL Andrew L. Hutchins lost his life at Combat Outpost Sabari in Khost Province, Afghanistan. He died from wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with small-arms fire. He was 20 years old. Andrew was serving during Operation Enduring Freedom at the time of his death.

Hundreds of relatives, friends, service members, and community members gathered to honor Andrew. A gathering for family and friends was held on November 18, 2010. His funeral and celebration of life took place at the Augusta Armory on November 19, 2010, with approximately 350 people in attendance. The governor ordered United States and Maine flags to be flown at half-staff in Andrew's honor. He received full military honors and was laid to rest at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery on Mount Vernon Road in Augusta.

Speakers remembered him as a dedicated soldier, a high achiever, an inspiration to others, and a young man with tremendous unrealized potential.

Andrew's daughter, Allyssa, was born after his death. In June 2012, the Maine Select Funeral Honor Guard presented her with a folded American flag and Gold Star recognition honoring her father's service and sacrifice. The ceremony reflected the Army's commitment to remembering Andrew and ensuring that his daughter would have a personal symbol of his service.

Andrew is among the Maine service members honored by The Summit Project, an organization that preserves the memories of Maine's fallen heroes through memorial stones carried on hikes, rides, and other meaningful journeys. Andrew's memorial stone has been carried by participants who learn about his life and share his story so that his name, character, service, and sacrifice continue to be remembered.

Andrew's family, friends, and community now gather through the annual CPL Andrew L. Hutchins Memorial Ride to remember his life and service. The event welcomes motorcycles, cars, trucks, veterans, first responders, Gold Star families, and community supporters. It is not a poker run — it is a volunteer-led memorial event built around remembrance, community, service, and support for organizations that help Maine veterans and military families.

Previous ride beneficiaries have included The Summit Project, the Travis Mills Foundation, and Operation Reboot Outdoors.

Andrew's story did not end on November 8, 2010. It continues through his family, the soldiers who served beside him, the people who carry his memorial stone, and every person who gathers to speak his name and support others in his honor. The CPL Andrew L. Hutchins Memorial Ride exists to make certain that his life, service, and sacrifice are never forgotten.