When people join the military, it isn’t always an easy choice. These men and women often must travel far from home. They leave behind family and friends who wait for their loved one to come back.
Many servicemen and servicewomen return home safely. But others don’t. Monday is Memorial Day. It’s a time to remember people who died in the line of duty.
For some people, Memorial Day in 2021 is taking on a special meaning. President Joe Biden has said he will take all U.S. troops out of Afghanistan this year. The war in Afghanistan has been America’s longest war. Now the is set to end after nearly 20 years.
News-O-Matic is taking time to honor two people who lost their lives in this war. The soldiers’ loved ones shared memories of their fallen family members.
Andrew Byers
Birthplace: Buffalo, New York
Andrew Byers was a major in the U.S. Army. He was part of the Army’s Special Forces. That’s a group of highly trained soldiers. Byers died in Afghanistan on November 3, 2016. He was 30 years old.
Byers’ twin sister, Lauren Griffin, described her brother as “friendly, inclusive, and brave.” When they were kids, the two siblings loved “being outside, checking out new parks.” Lauren said her brother enjoyed quiet time, too. “He’s a guy who enjoyed reading books.” Andrew dreamed of going to the U.S. Military Academy for college.
When Lauren and Andrew were in high school, a terrible event rocked the United States. On September 11, 2001, took over airplanes. They crashed the planes into important buildings in New York and Virginia. Thousands of Americans died. Experts believed the terrorists were working out of Afghanistan. The United States sent troops there. The war in Afghanistan began.
Lauren said that for her brother, the events of 9/11 “ his interest” in the Army. Andrew left for Afghanistan in June 2016. While Andrew was away, the siblings sent messages to each other. “We were just able to connect about life,” Lauren said.
Later in 2016, Lauren got a call from her mom. Andrew had died. “It was extremely sad,” Lauren said. But she knew her brother had been willing to die to serve his country. Lauren remembered thinking, “I accepted this a long time ago. And I have to accept it now, too.”
Lauren gave an idea on how to honor Memorial Day. “My brother loved barbecues. He loved being with family,” she said. “Maybe leave an empty chair at your table,” Lauren added.
Anthony Maddox
Birthplace: New Orleans, Louisiana
Anthony Maddox was an Army sergeant. He helped fuel up trucks in Afghanistan. Maddox died on July 22, 2013, at the age of 22.
“Anthony was a very quiet person,” said Frances Maddox, his mom. That didn’t stop Anthony from being tough on the football field, though. His high school teammates called him “Mad Dog” for his style! “He had the best smile,” his mom added. “He loved family and friends, especially his younger sisters. He always watched over them.”
Anthony joined the army in 2011. “Anthony loved serving in the Army,” his mom said. “He was committed to serving his country and his fellow soldiers. He was a role model, a leader.”
Anthony’s mom shared her idea of what Memorial Day means. “It is a day to never forget and to always remember our fallen soldiers,” Frances said. “We will attend a military event, share our son’s story, and we will speak his name.”
Updated May 28, 2021, 5:02 P.M. (ET)
By Ryan Cramer
