PFC Andrew Martin O'Francia Ward
May 1, 1979 - December 5, 2004
Obituary
He died in Iraq by enemy fire. He died fighting for freedom for our country, for the world and for Iraq. He was a loving, caring and forgiving son. A gentle soul who loved getting away from all of the materialistic lifestyles we have created. He was closest to God’s spirit when being in the great outdoors–where eagles soar, bears and deer roam, where the snowcapped mountains meet the morning sunrises, and the sunsets reached the ocean breeze. He joined the military to serve his country and a chance to travel and experience other cultures.
I love my son with all my heart and soul; as well as his father Donald L. Ward, stepmother Mary; his brothers, Don Jr., Jason, Walter and Sean; his sisters Angela, Wanda and Amilia; his stepfather Joseph P. Tankersley and a host of loving grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. We will all miss him beyond comprehension but we will never forget what he has contributed to each and everyone of us and to the world in his short life on earth.
I want everyone to know that he gave up his life to bravely serve our country so that we may someday live without terrorism, oppression and from barbaric leadership. And we and the future generations will live freely. Let us not forget also, the thousand other soldiers who are still in harms way and many who have died and now, along with my loving son, a hero to us all.
We will salute him. We will honor him. We will never ever forget him.
Andrew Martin O’Francia Ward, was born in Seattle, Washington on May 1, 1979. He was a beautiful, healthy baby, full of hair, truly a bundle of joy. His endearing nick-named ‘Poopong’ followed him through his adult life by his many aunts, uncles and cousins.
A very kind, gentle and loving soul. He loved his large extended family and we loved him dearly. He loved nature. He biked or walked on various trails in the surrounding area. He took bus tours to Mt. Rainier and ferry boats across the state of Washington and Victoria, BC. He worked seasonal jobs so that as soon as he earned barely enough, he would he would buy a ticket to go somewhere. In Dutch Harbor, Alaska, when work was slow, he hiked and back-packed to near-by mountains and hillsides and saw bald eagles soaring above and bears scourging for food and salmon swimming and jumping up stream. He photographed the beauty that surrounds him. He flew to Hawaii once with $100 in his pocket and stayed for half a year, where he lived and slept on beaches under palm trees.
On August 2003, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. To service his country and a chance to see more of the world. It offered him opportunities and gave him a chance to broaden his horizons. Somhow, although short, it did.
He went to boot camp training in Fort Leonard Woods, Missouri. Upon graduation, he was combat engineer with the 44th Engineer Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, assigned for permanent duty in Camp Howze, South Korea. He was excited to see that part of the world. He learned to eat ‘chimchee’ because he said ith was served at all the restaurants there. ”And Mom,” he would say, ”they eat so much noodles! No meat.” He bunked and trained with a Korean soldier, who was serving his two years mandatory military service.
On August 2004, his uit was deployed to Iraq. A move to be historical–a unit to be deployed from a war country, to another war country. Andrew never once complained. He took his orders valiantly, reassuring me that they are all prepared and continuously trained.
On Sunday, December 5, 2004, his unit came under attack in Ar Ramadi, west of Baghdad with small enemy fire on returning form a river mission. Andrew was killed in action. We were personally notified by two uniformed Army Representatives at around 6:15PM, Sunday, December 5, 2004.
He lived a lifetime. He saw parts of the world most of us have not seen. He left a legacy, known and not yet known. His contribution to each and everyone of us was his life—and how he lived it.
Andrew, we love you and will miss you. We will honor you and salute you. You will live in our hearts forever.
dear joe and estrella, we are very sorry for your loss.with deepest sympathies as no child should ever taken before a parent. we will be thinking of you and saying a special prayer at church today. deborah nelson,ronald cunningham and emily pastrana
dearest et and joe
there is no way that we could ever know to what you and you family are going through. just know that you have our deepest and most heartfelt sympathies, and that you are in our prayers.
sincerely,
the myers,
tom, verene & thomas
Manang Estrella,Donald and family, we are very sorry to hear the loss of your son,Pfc Andrew Ward. He was a very brave and patriotic young man. He made everybody very proud for making the ultimate sacrifice. He sacrificed his life so others will live in freedom. We are very proud to a part of his extended family. Semper Fi.
Andrew, you lived life to the fullest never letting anything get in the way. I admire you for your brave courageous soul. I send my prayers and deepest condolences to your family.
Until we meet again, Trina.
Rev. Ward & Family,
Our love and deepest heartfelt sympathy is extended to your family. We share in your grief. Love,
Lee, Adrienne, Juan & Jonikka Lawrence
1721 Pierce Avenue S.E.
Renton, Wa. 98058
Dear Ward and Tankersley Families,
You are in my thoughts and prayers and on the hearts of the entire St. Therese School and Parish community. I only knew Andrew for a short time at St. Therese when I was his P.E. teacher, but remember him as a gentle, smiling, easy going kid. The Ward kids, and parents, have always been special to me and I just want you all to know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to make it to the visitation or funeral, but I’m recovering from surgery and I just couldn’t get out. Believe that Andrew is with Jesus and he’ll be there to meet us when that day comes. Until then, live your life with purpose, meaning, and love because I am certain that’s what Andrew would want.
Peace, Love, and God Bless,
Jim Valiere
vice-principal at St. Therese
Dear Ward Family,
I send my deepest heartfelt sympathies in your time of sorrow, just know that the good lord takes care of his own, and know that Andrew is with him now in a better place.
THE WARD FAMILY:
THE LOCKETT FAMILY WISHES TO EXPRESS OUR SINCERE SYMPATHY TO YOUR FAMILY AND WISH TO EXPRESS OUR APPRECIATION FOR THE SACRAFICE MADE BY YOUR SON
MAY THE LORD BE WITH YOU
RONNIE
To my brother and family
I know I don’t get home often
and will always remember him in his carefree days playing video games and will always respect the path he took as a man.
Dear Ward Family –
We have just heared of the news yesterday. We feel so sorry for your loss. Our deepest sympathies and prayers are with your family. He gave his life for a good cause.
The Williams Family
I love you brother, it 2013 and i love you and miss you like you died yesterday. you are forever in my heart and i keep you with me everyday
Thinking about you today. We miss you and love you. You made the ultimate sacrifice.
Love you
Hey brother! Every time I sing that engineer song you liked I sing it louder for you. RIP young Trooper
Hi, my name is PFC Joy Chang (formerly) and I served with PFC Andrew Ward in Korea and this OIF mission and in the short time I got to know of him, he just had a glowing, sweet, yet worldly demeanor. I have lived in Washington state for many years and want to pay my respects to where he lays to rest now but not sure how to locate him.
To all of the Ward family, my heart has been with you since the day he left, there are no words to be able to replace who he is, but know that he left a major impression on me, and my combat siblings. We’ve lost even more good men on this tour and it comforts me to know that they could all be in a place to hopefully have each other in spirit. RIP Andrew, hope you are looking down on all of us and knowing that we think and talk about you often.