Andrew Pearson

West Point, 2001

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by CPT Ed Kennedy on May 8, 2008:

The ceremony was well attended, a packed house as you might all expect, from Soldiers with no rank insignia to several with a few stars to a couple with a lot of stars. It was a tough one to get through, but it was done right. --------------------------------------------------------- Captain Drew Pearson and I have been stationed at the same post since 97, a year after I joined the army. We first got to know each other at West Point when I was a regimental XO and Drew stood out as an extraordinary company 1SG. After school I posted to Hawaii and Drew arrived a year later to 2-5 Infantry, the Bobcats. We got to know each other well out there, on deployments to the Big Island, at West Point for Cadet Summer Training and then in Afghanistan until he eventually replaced me as the S4. I then headed to the Armor Captains Career Course and Drew arrived a few months later. There our kids really started to play together and our friendship continued. It was not long after I arrived to 4 ID that Drew showed up in Iraq assigned to 1st BCT. We often joked about him following me around and it was already discussed that he would take over as Bear 6 someday and I’d take over as Hammer 6. I’d joke that he just wanted to follow me around or be like me and he joked that he was always being brought in to clean up the mess I made. I could not have picked a better guy to replace me and I could not have picked a better friend to be stationed with in so many places throughout our careers. One of the things I’ll remember most and reflect upon is that Drew was never afraid to roll up his sleeves, no matter what the job. When I was the S4 and he was the support platoon leader I would never have to question where he was, he was always with his men, getting the job done no matter what the task. You could always count on Drew to figure out a solution to the toughest problems and just make it happen. I think that is a great compliment to an officer, to always be there getting his hands dirty with the men. Drew clearly made me a better officer through our discussions and through his actions. We had the ability to vent our frustrations, laugh a little and joke about it, then figure out a solution and move on. Back at Fort Hood, if I wasn’t with my company I probably was in his office getting good ideas or bouncing ideas off him or just figuring out what was going on, because he would always know. This past week I sent a note to a few of the officers that Drew and I have served with over the years. It was to no surprise the flood of notes I received back from all ranks expressing their deep heartfelt condolences and sadness at the passing of our friend. Not only was he a great officer and leader, he was also an exceptional father and husband. Drew was an outstanding family man, one who I admired and hope to emulate. My first thoughts were of his wife Jo and their four kids. They continue to be in my prayers now and in the future and I promise to always be there to do whatever I can, whenever and wherever they need. Drew, I will miss our conversations. I will miss the laughs. I will miss you my friend. Bobcats – I’ll try, Sir! Regulars By God, Deeds not words.

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