I read with great interest the Sun Journal article, “The Great War: A lost legacy” (Aug. 31), but the article failed to pay tribute to the first man from Maine to die in World War I.
Harold T. Andrews of Portland died in the battle of Cambrai, France, on Nov. 30, 1917, at the age of 24. He was killed by a sniper while repairing train tracks that had been destroyed in battle.
He was originally buried in France, but his father went to Europe after the war to bring his remains home. The city of Portland recognized the significance of his sacrifice and named Andrews Square in the city’s West End in his honor, as well as planting linden trees along Baxter Boulevard in his memory. There is also a small monument dedicated to him in the Evergreen Cemetery.
My grandfather was Harold’s first cousin and my father, born in 1922, was named in honor of this brave man.
We must never forget the sacrifices that Maine’s sons and daughters have made to protect this great country.
David Andrews, Auburn
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