Veterans Day 2016 Ceremony Honors Andy Anderson

DEARBORN, MI – The Dearborn Allied War Veterans Council (DAWVC) has selected U.S. Navy veteran Charles E. “Andy” Anderson as the 2016 Dearborn Veteran of the Year.

Drafted at 25 years old, Anderson served in Vietnam from 1965-1969 as a U.S. Navy “Seabee,” or member of the Naval Construction Battalion. In Vietnam, he and a company of 250 men were tasked with assisting the Marine Corps. Their main job was crushing rock to build highway during the Tet Offensive. On March 31, 1968, his base took a direct hit and five of his comrades were killed.“They’re with me like it was yesterday,” Anderson said in a press release.

“I’m very concerned the story of Vietnam is no longer being told,” Anderson said. “I lost many friends, and people died there needlessly. I want to make sure their legacy lives on.”

Since returning home from war, he has dedicated much of his life to making sure the lives of his brothers lost overseas are not forgotten. Anderson doesn’t do it for the recognition. His tireless 35 years of service to veterans organizations and the Dearborn community are motivated by those who never returned home.

Anderson is involved in one form or another with just about every veterans club or organization around. He serves as second vice president of the James Huard Chapter 267 Vietnam Veterans of America, where he oversees committees involving Agent Orange, MIA/POW issues and community affairs.

He is a life member of the Marine Corps League Dearborn Detachment 152, American Legion Post 364, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2107 and Disabled American Veterans.

He served as Marine Sergeant of Arms at the Marine Corps League for 10 years, and he is the current historian for the American Legion. In addition, Anderson is active in the Dearborn Outer Drive Kiwanis Club, where he engages with the community and serves as a role model for children.

“He is a go-getter, always helping and getting things done, either at a meeting or after,” said Phil Smith, commandant of Marine Corps League Detachment 152.

The rest of the veteran community has echoed that sentiment.

“He does as people and veterans ask and provides advice,” said Dennis Scanland, chaplain of American Legion Post 364. “In my eyes, he is well qualified and deserves this award more than any veteran I know.”

Among Anderson’s many great accomplishments, he said bringing the “Moving Vietnam Wall” to Dearborn in 2000 stands out as one of his proudest. The “Moving Wall” is a half-size replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. that travels across the country.

Anderson’s efforts gave thousands of people the opportunity to see the memorial. He was on site for the whole week the wall was erected in Dearborn, offering visitors his assistance in finding names on the wall.

Anderson credits fellow veterans and the City of Dearborn for their help with the project.

“Dearborn is the most patriotic place anywhere,” he said. “The City has always been there for us and has always volunteered time and effort to make veterans a priority.”

More recently, Anderson was part of a committee that brought the “Wall that Heals,” another mobile Vietnam Veterans monument, to Dearborn.

As a life member of the Disabled Veterans of America, Anderson advocates for those who suffer from Agent Orange, a chemical used in the Vietnam War that has had disastrous health consequences for many who came in contact with it.

Anderson’s most recent work has involved a Vietnam War Education Center in Washington D.C. The center, still in its early stages, will be located in the National Mall across the street from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Its purpose is to tell the stories of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam, a cause dear to Anderson’s heart. As such, he has been steadfast in helping to make sure the center will include a picture and biography of each one of the 69 fallen Vietnam soldiers from Dearborn.

“I am standing as Veteran of the Year for all the veterans who deserve it more than me but are not here to be honored,” Anderson said.

Dearborn’s Veteran of the Year is selected by a committee of past recipients of the honor. The winner is chosen based on initiative of helping others, especially veterans, as well as personal qualities of honor, leadership, compassion and commitment.Anderson will be honored during the city’s Veterans Day ceremony at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 11, at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center, 15801 Michigan Ave. The public is invited to attend.

Photo courtesy City of Dearborn