LEWISTON — Andrew Hutchins, a 20-year-old U.S. Army specialist with local ties has died in Afghanistan.
Hutchins was killed Monday while serving as a military policeman with the Army’s 101st Airborne Division from Fort Campbell, Ky.
His father, Jeffrey, lives in Leeds. His mother lives in Waltham.
Details of Hutchins’ death were unavailable at press time. The Department of Defense had yet to acknowledge the casualty on Tuesday.
A family member in Leeds requested time to grieve before speaking publicly.
Gov. John Baldacci announced Hutchins’ death Tuesday morning after talking with the family. Hutchins is survived by his wife, Heather, who is pregnant with their first child.
“As Veterans Day approaches, we are painfully reminded that our country remains at war, and that our men and women in uniform are still called to duty for their country,” Baldacci said Tuesday in a prepared statement. “Spc. Hutchins’ death is a terrible tragedy for his family and all who knew him. We honor his sacrifice and his memory, and will keep his wife and family in our prayers.”
Hutchins grew up in the Somerset County town of New Portland and attended Carrabec High School in North Anson.
Guidance Director Dianne Starr described Hutchins’ kindness and warmth.
“He loved to volunteer his time working for others and was a leading member of our (Jobs for Maine’s Graduates) class that provides community service,” Starr said in an e-mail late Tuesday.
“Andrew loved a challenge and took the hardest classes he could, even when he knew they weren’t required,” she said. “His senior year, alone, he took two AP classes, two German classes, and honor’s English. Andrew loved to learn. He was so positive and respectful — a perfect role model — top-of-the-line student and person.”
His efforts continued in the Army, Baldacci said.
“His father told me that Spc. Hutchins was wounded earlier, but he wanted to return to Afghanistan to be with his buddies,” Baldacci said. “Spc. Hutchins is a hero and deserves our gratitude.”
On the day of Hutchins’ funeral, the governor plans to order flags to be flown at half-staff.
Condolences were offered by U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud, D-Maine, and U.S. Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, R-Maine.
“Words cannot do justice to the honor with which Andrew served his country and the sadness and loss his family now feels,” Michaud said.
Snowe said, “Spc. Hutchins shouldered the heaviest of responsibilities, and the magnitude and height of my admiration and respect for him is limitless for his inexpressible bravery and unrelenting valor.”
Hutchins was the second person this month with Maine ties killed in Afghanistan. Marine First Lt. James R. Zimmerman, 25, died Nov. 2. A memorial service is planned for Zimmerman on Nov. 11 in Houlton.
A spokesman for the Army at Fort Campbell guided inquiries to a page of its website dedicated to the men of the 101st Airborne Division: http://www.campbell.army.mil/eaglehonors/Pages/EagleHonorsHome.aspx.
The deaths memorialized there — with photos and short descriptions — go back only eight months.
On Tuesday, the Web page listed 76 men.
dhartill@sunjournal.com
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- Spc. Andrew Hutchins was killed in Afghanistan on Monday.
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- Spc. Andrew Hutchins was killed in Afghanistan on Monday.
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