Veteran Story: Andrew Therrien

Andrew Therrien

Courtesy of Andrew Therrien

Sergeant Andrew Therrien is from Amsterdam, NY. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps after September 11 and to travel away from his hometown. He served from July 2004 to April 2014 as a radio operator. Andrew is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

He deployed to Iraq two times in 2005 to 2006 to Diyala Providence with Anti-Terrorism Battalion Combined Anti-Armor Team platoon. His platoon was responsible for base security at camp Ashraf, a site in Iraq that held a group of Iranians that Saddam Hussein protected. He was at that location for 6 months then returned to the states for a short 6 months. During those 6 months, he was training for his next deployment. He was then back in Iraq for a year starting January 1, 2007 (celebrated New Year’s Eve over the Atlantic Ocean someplace) to January 22, 2008. He was deployed with the 2^nd Marine Regimental Combat Team 2 as a personal security detail for the regimental Commander in Alabar Providence. An interesting fact: he turned 20, 21 and 22 in Iraq. While in Iraq, Andrew was promoted to Sergeant and he received multiple awards during his military career. These awards included the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2 times), Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal (2 times), National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal 3 Stars, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (2 times).

Andrew Therrien

Courtesy of Andrew Therrien

After his military service, Andrew moved to Maryland and worked in the private sector. After a couple years, he was ready for something different and moved to Hyde Park, New York, the home of Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the Vanderbilts. Andrew had the privilege to work as a seasonal laborer mowing the grounds at the Home of Franklin D Roosevelt National Historic Site and Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site. He fell in love with the National Park Service and its mission to protect and preserve the lands he fought for. He knew that this was the career he wanted to follow. “I was extremely lucky as that was a time in my life I really needed and wanted some change.” Andrew’s military experience in the Marine Corps taught him “accountability, responsibility, leadership and commitment.”

Andrew currently is our Agricultural and Livestock Program Coordinator at George Washington Birthplace at Colonial Beach, Virginia.