Andrew Rocks! Boy Scout Killed By Alleged Drunk Driver Remembered

WADING RIVER, NY — Andrew McMorris, 12, loved aviation — and today, the many whose hearts were broken by his loss are keeping his memory alive in a beautiful way: "Andrew Rocks!" is a Facebook page dedicated to sharing stories and photos of colorful rocks, painted with words including "Fly High, Andrew," that are lovingly hidden in spots both local and in the many places across the world where he'd dreamt of traveling.

Andrew died after he and fellow Boy Scouts were struck by an alleged drunk driver while out on a hike in late September.

"Welcome to Andrew Rocks!" Christine Chantal wrote on the page. "Andrew’s amazing spirit was taken too soon from us, but we are hoping a little piece of his spirit of travel will continue in these rocks. If you found a rock that led you to this page, please post a picture of your rock and where you found it. If you choose to relocate it, give a little clue. Let’s see how far these rocks will go!"

And, oh, the places the rocks have gone so far, sharing Andrew's beautiful spirit across the world.

Posts describe colorful rocks, painted for Andrew, in places including Cape Coral, FL, Lynchburg,VA, Disney World, an Inspiration Rock Garden in memory of Andrew by the Prodell Middle School Leadership Club, the Bahamas, Englewood Beach, FL, Phoenix, AZ, Wrightsville Beach, NC, Myrtle Beach, SC, Moorea Island and Bora Bora in French Polynesia — with plans to bring the rocks to Belgium and other destinations around the world in the coming months and years.

One rock, painted with a bright blue airplane, was left in Ireland, "at the Killary Fjord, the only natural fjord in Ireland, where the water is as deep as the mountains are high."

The rocks have also been placed close to home, hidden for others to find in spots including the Riverhead Free Library and on the beach in Montauk.

A fitting tribute to a boy who took joy in helping his family plan trips and whose love of flying was deeply rooted in his heart.

Alisa McMorris, Andrew's mother, explained how the idea was born. "A close friend of mine had been watching me struggle with this unimaginable new normal. One day I posted about the fear of losing Andrew . . . of people forgetting about him and how I struggled to help Andrew's friends find a way to carry this loss. Kids and people need to 'do something' to process the pain and she suggested painting rocks. She had seen the 'Kindness Rocks' movement and Andrew Rocks! was created," she said.

Another story on the page touched countess hearts: One woman on the page, Kristin Marie, said after she was invited to join the group she realized she was flying American Airlines, an airline that Andrew adored.

Kristin emailed American Airlines herself, asking if it would be okay to give the pilot of Andrew's rocks to keep on the plane. On the day of her departure, she said she brought rocks she and her children had painted, to leave in Philadelphia.

"I checked in for my flight that Friday after work and the ticket agent said, 'Oh my! We’ve been waiting for you all day'. I was quickly escorted into the plane and brought into the cockpit to meet the pilot. He stood up, hugged me and asked me to join him for a little while so we could talk about Andrew and his family. . . We spoke for about 20 minutes and I told him all about a boy who I had never met, but had had a profound effect on my life. He was moved by Andrew having wanted to be a pilot with them and about his love of travel and adventure. We talked about his beautiful family and how his dad and I had known each other since we were Andrew’s age," she said.

Later, the pilot took photos and a rock to keep in the cockpit, to “feel Andrew’s spirit”. The crew, she said, also took rocks " to bring all over the world in their travels," promising to send photos and place them across the globe.

And there was more, she said. On the trip home, two American Airlines pilots also wanted to hear Andrew's story, asked how they could help, and said for rocks so they, too, could share them; she and her kids painted new rocks that have been sent to pilot and crew friends in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and New York.

(Courtesy MidIsland AirService.)

Recently, said John McMorris, Andrew's father, the Chairman and CEO of American Airlines, W. Douglas Parker, sent their family a handwritten letter of condolence, a model airplane of Andrew's favorite airplane, the 787, and a framed copy of the social media postings the airline created in his honor.

"We are honored to consider Andrew a member of the American Airlines family," Parker wrote.

"This has touched our hearts so much as Andrew's mission in life was to become a pilot for American Airlines flying a 787," McMorris said. "Thank you so much Doug Parker and American Airlines! We know Andrew is flying high in the blue skies above."

When he died, his parents, in a statement, said: "Andrew wanted to fly before he could walk. Airplanes, helicopters and rockets were the obsession of his life, and he achieved his first piloting goal this past summer during AeroCamp. Andrew was occasionally chided by parents, coaches and teachers for 'having his head in the clouds', but for Andrew, that only made sense," his family said. "He wanted his whole self in the clouds, broken free of the bonds of this earth, borne up into an endless sky, with nothing but blue around him and horizon ahead, aloft and away. Fly high, Andrew."

(McMorris family.)

"Andrew really did love American Airlines — he had met an AA pilot during AeroCamp who inspired him to be serious about his studies. Taught him why all the subjects in school are important for creating a well rounded pilot — geography, math, communication skills, physical fitness; he was inspired," Alisa said.

The gesture of kindness from American Airlines, Alisa said, "touched our hearts deeply. Having the 787 model displayed in his room along with all the kind posts keeps his spirit alive and brings a bittersweet smile to our hearts."

Her boy, Alisa said, loved travel. "Even today we continue to find little notes Andrew has left us. We were planning a family trip to the Grand Canyon next summer and we just stumbled upon a few sticky notes comparing flights to Denver with a little star next to American Airlines, with flights times and costs. He really loved American Airlines."

His parents also created "The Andrew McMorris Project," helping to raise awareness about drunk driving and focusing on Andre's other passions, including Scouts, arts, theater, music and aviation — and, most importantly, "his compassion and kindness for others," she said.

The Andrew McMorris Foundation will be unveiled on March 30, Andrew's birthday, when his family will also take an honor flight to celebrate his life at Mid Island Air.

After their son's tragic death, his family released a statement reflecting their deep heartbreak: "Andrew McMorris was no ordinary boy. Andrew was born with a sense of wonder and amazement of the world around him, and he never lost the ability to be awed by and delighted with all it had to offer."

Andrew's heartbroken family, friends, and fellow Boy Scouts will once again gather in Central Islip on April 2 for the next court date scheduled for Thomas Murphy, 59, of Holbrook, who was charged in the fatal crash and arraigned in October on a 16-count indictment — including reports that the man had been drinking since 9 a.m. and had been offered a ride due to his level of intoxication, which he refused, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Tim Sini.