Ford Auto Dealers, Dragons Team Up to Honor Local Veterans
Dayton, Ohio - Dayton Area Ford Dealers and the Dayton Dragons will host World War II U.S. Army Veteran and former Prisoner of War Andrew Hemmelgarn during the Ford Honor Them program on Sunday, May 22 at 2:07 p.m. when the Dayton Dragons take on the Bowling Green Hot Rods at Fifth Third Field. Hemmelgarn will be the second honoree of the unique program in 2016.
The Ford Honor Them program provides veterans in the Dayton region with a once-in-a-lifetime experience to celebrate their service to their country. Each honoree has their story shared in front of the crowd at Fifth Third Field, followed by a standing ovation in appreciation of the veteran's hard work and dedication both in military and civilian accomplishments.
Andrew's Story
Like many young men of the time, Andrew Hemmelgarn was drafted into the U.S. Army at the age of 21. On November 30, 1942, he left home for 18 months of basic training at Fort Beal, California.
In the spring of 1944, Andrew's unit was transferred to Fort Bowie, Texas where they trained in reconnaissance. He was then assigned to Europe.
Andy made the long journey to England on the Queen Elizabeth, arriving on D-Day (June 6, 1944). He was assigned to the 18th Reconnaissance Group and was eventually transferred to an occupied village near the northern part of the Siegfried Line in Germany.
On December 16, 1944, after a full day of fighting at the Battle of the Bulge, Andy and his group of 50 men were captured. They were marched during the day and put into boxcars at night. They were first kept at Stalag 13, a POW camp in the middle of Germany, but after 10 weeks, they were marched to Stat Laurgen and housed in the town hall. Their time was spent cleaning up the rubble from bombed areas or helping the farmers.
After nearly 5 months, an American troop was able to liberate the prisoners. They were taken to a camp in France for physical examinations and were given much needed nourishment.
Shortly after Andy returned home, he married his girlfriend, Margaret, who he had written letters to during his three years of service. He was officially discharged from the Army on November 30, 1945, exactly three years to-the-day after entering.
Today, Andy is 95 years old and cherishes the legacy of his family that includes five children, 16 grandchildren, and 26 great-grandchildren. He resides in St. Henry where he was owner of the Fountain Inn restaurant for 20 years, a postmaster, a school bus driver, a religion teacher and a woodworker. Andy is still very involved in the community, his church, and volunteers at a local nursing home.
Ford Auto Dealers and the Dayton Dragons applaud Andrew and all those who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Please join us in thanking Andrew for his service during the Dayton Dragons game on May 22.
More Information: The Dayton Dragons are the Midwest League affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and play a 70-game home schedule at beautiful Fifth Third Field in downtown Dayton, easily accessible from Interstate 75. Individuals and groups seeking information about Dayton Dragons group tickets, lawn tickets, the season ticket wait list, sponsorship opportunities or booking a Dragons speaker are encouraged to contact the Dragons by calling at (937) 228-2287, emailing at [email protected], or on the web at daytondragons.com.