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FreeRepublic , LLC PO BOX 9771 FRESNO, CA 93794
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Posted on 04/10/2003 5:09:21 PM PDT by CFW
By kmock@onlineathens.com
U.S. Navy Cmdr. Andrew Clyde of Athens, a member of the Seabees combat engineering group, takes a break along a dusty road somewhere in Iraq. Friends are keeping his business, Clyde Armory and Police Protection Systems, open while he's on active duty.
Friends describe local business owner Andrew Clyde as someone always ready to lend a hand.
But many didn't imagine that Clyde's willingness to help would lead him to a war in the Middle East. On Feb. 1, Clyde, a Navy Reserve commander with the U.S. Navy Seabees - a construction and engineering unit that is trained for battle - was deployed to the Middle East to help with Operation Iraqi Freedom.
''We didn't think he would have been called (to active duty), but he's got a very high rating with his commanding officers,'' Clyde's mother, Audrey, said in a telephone interview from her home in Syracuse, Ind. ''Whenever Andy does something, he wants to do it to the best of his ability. I think they see that.''
The son of a Canadian mother and American father, Clyde was born in 1963 in the Canadian providence of Ontario, but is an American citizen. He enlisted in the Navy in 1984, after attending Bethel College near South Bend, Ind., and completing an ROTC program at Notre Dame. Clyde's mother said he fell in love with Northeast Georgia several years ago while he was stationed at the U.S. Navy Supply Corps School in Athens. He decided to remain in Athens after leaving active duty, attending the University of Georgia for a master's degree in business and starting a business of his own, Clyde Armory and Police Protection Systems in Bogart.
Audrey Clyde said her son also decided to continue his military service after leaving active duty, and joined the Naval Reserve.
Clyde said her son's involvement in the U.S. Navy is a family affair - his father and older brother both served as officers in the Navy.
Nonetheless, Audrey Clyde said her son's service in the current military campaign in Iraq has been worrisome. She and her husband often watch news coverage of the war, and await their son's frequent phone calls from the Middle East.
Currently, Cmdr. Clyde is stationed somewhere near Nasiryah.
''As far as I know, (he's doing fine),'' Audrey Clyde said. ''He has access to e-mail and a telephone because he is one of the senior logistics officers for the Seabees. ... He says he doesn't want to see a beach for awhile, because of all the sand over there.''
Clyde's Athens family - a network of friends and co-workers largely based in the Prince Avenue Baptist Church's congregation - is also keeping track of their friend and colleague's progress in the Middle East.
Clyde is known for involvement within the church community, and regularly participates in a number of the church's group activities including missions, the men's choir and a singles Bible study group.
Longtime friend and fellow choir member Ed Barham said Clyde is perhaps best known for his generosity and willingness to help.
''There are so many words to describe him as a person,'' Barham said. ''He is just a very honest, giving and sincere person - he would absolutely give you the shirt off his back. I'm lucky to have him as a friend.''
Barham added that the church is actively praying for Clyde's decision-making during his deployment to Iraq.
''He has asked that we pray for him for decisions that he has to make,'' Barham said. ''I think they're just doing their best to keep their heads above water over there.''
Church members like Josh Smith are also helping to care for Clyde's home, business and beloved Doberman pincher, Kit.
''He's the kind of man you can bank on. He's very dedicated,'' said Smith. ''But we worry about him a lot. He's not on the front lines, but he's over there, and he's a lot closer to (danger) than we are. It's pretty frightening that something could happen (to him).''
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