By Elizabeth Corazon, January 23, 2022
As many of you know or heard through the grapevine, a young man lost his life on the waters of Lake DeSoto over the MLK holiday weekend here in the Village. That young man was U.S. Army Sgt. Andrew Maestas. Sgt. Maestas had achieved several important milestones in his young life of 22 years. He served in the Old Guard at Arlington National Cemetery until recent orders assigned him to Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He was looking forward to a future with his girlfriend, Olivia Sheffler, whom he planned on proposing to on Valentine’s Day.
Funeral arrangements for Sgt. Andrew Maestas will be in-person at Turrentine, Jackson & Morrow Funeral Home in Allen, Texas on Saturday, February 5th at 2:00 p.m. The service will also be live-streamed here. The viewing at the funeral home will be on Friday, February 4th open to the public from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m.
At this time, the family is planning a wake to accommodate the many friends and family that knew and loved Andrew. The family wants to celebrate this young man’s life.
I shared with Andrew’s family, that many Villagers had reached out on social media to lend words of support and also expressed a desire to do more for the family, if possible. This has truly been an inspiration to the family as they struggle to find peace enough to sleep through the night. I expressed the desire of many in the Village to commemorate Andrew’s life with a bench and flag pole, pending POA approval. The Maestas family is grateful for that gesture and wants very much to be included in the dedication ceremony.
When I spoke with Andrew’s mother I was truly touched as she kept apologizing for rambling on and being distracted. This family is a thoughtful, loving family and filled with grace as she spoke of tasks at hand and concern for protecting Olivia’s future. The fact that this young man was chosen to serve in the Honor Guard is a testament to those who reared him, as well as his character. His mother stated Andrew never gave up on anybody and always tried to help others in need. He will be missed by many people.
And a final word from Andrew’s mother, Stephanie. She mentioned over and over how touched the family was by the outpouring of support they found from the Village during this tragedy. The family especially wanted to thank their host, Dennis Simpson, for providing for the family’s basic needs in their time of crisis.
Information will be coming soon on a fundraising account for Olivia.
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George Phillis (US Army Retired)
01/23/2022 — 9:52 pm
The fact Army Sgt Andrew Maestas was serving his country and had served on the Honor Guard at Arlington National Cemetery speaks volumes regarding his character. No doubt his family is very proud of what he had accomplished in his 22 years. There’s no answer why such a tragedy happens however God has bigger plans for Andrew. May he rest in peace and may peace be with his family.
Russ Vaughn
01/24/2022 — 5:06 pm
George, as you can see from that photo, he was indeed a very sharp young NCO, sharp enough to have been selected for the Old Guard and awarded the Expert Infantry Badge. As an old infantry NCO who earned a Combat Infantryman’s Badge almost sixty years ago, I can attest to the fact that it requires far more soldiering skills to earn that Expert Badge.
https://armyfacts.com/expert-infantryman-badge/#:~:text=EIB%20Testing%20Individual%20Eligibility%20Requirements.%201%20They%20must,be%20conducted%20%28PAQ-4%20series%29%20and%20…%20More%20items
And the fact that he possessed those heightened infantry skills, while also being young and fit enough to be in an Air Assault unit in the 101st Airborne, makes it even more mystifying to me that he was unable to extricate himself from that deadly situation.
And, as we both know, George, you don’t get picked for Arlington Tomb Guard duty unless you are smart, sharp and highly disciplined which further adds to the mystery.
As ever, the good die young.
Rest in peace young trooper…
George Phillis (US Army retired)
01/24/2022 — 6:01 pm
Russ……Often a soldiers life can be “read” on his chest. I too noted his awards. Thank you for pointing them out as many do not know what they are for or what they imply. Sgt Andrew Maestas is an example of an exemplary soldier. A mystery indeed. May he truly rest in peace.
Russ Vaughn
01/24/2022 — 6:45 pm
George, realizing most of the folks who gather on these threads can’t read those uniforms nor understand the significance of military esoterica, I also posted a rather lengthy explanatory comment over on Nextdoor with a video link to the changing of the guard ceremony at the Tomb.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqPxu_VFK08
Back in July 2004, I flew my father-in-law from Ruidoso, NM, to D.C. to see his just-opened WWII Memorial. It was an incredibly moving experience for this old Vietnam vet to wheel him around that beautiful edifice and listen to him interact with his fellow WWII vets, most of them, like him, wheelchair bound.
We also attended the CoG ceremony at the Tomb, itself another very moving experience. Thinking back on how I stood there, looking down on his old thinning silver hair, his service with Patton’s Third Army fifty years behind him, it is now rather startling to realize that I am now almost as old as he was then, with my war even farther in the past than his then was.
As MacArthur said, “Old soldiers never die, they just fade away…”
Barbara
01/26/2022 — 9:55 pm
Yes I noticed the medals and knew he had done a lot during his life already.
Barbara
01/23/2022 — 11:05 pm
This tragedy so touched me and I have not been able to get this family off my mind. May they find comfort and peace in the coming days!!!
barbara
01/29/2022 — 10:16 am
Yes there are no words to express how the loss of a truly gifted young person can make each of us aware of the precious gift of each day on earth is. Tears are a sign of our humanity.
Dominic Listermann
01/24/2022 — 5:19 am
The Joint American Legion / Veterans of Foreign Wars Honor Guard along with other organizations are planning a ceremony to take place in the village within the next few weeks to honor Sgt. Maestas and those who performed life saving actions for Ms. Sheffler. Details will be posted at https://ar0123.org and The Village Voice.
Donna
01/25/2022 — 11:46 am
Donna
We would be happy to run an announcement on KVRE 92.9 radio station, right here in the Village as well. Can be contacted at 501-922-5678.
Dominic Listermann
01/29/2022 — 10:49 am
That would be very kind. I’ve submitted the requests for the Life Saving Certificates. I’m coordinating with the honor guard and others. I’ll let you know when I know more.
Mike Herman
01/24/2022 — 7:47 am
Such a proud and honorable young man.
Kathy Clark
01/24/2022 — 8:10 am
May he rest in Peace and may his family be comforted by an outpouring of love and appreciation for all the ways Andrew touched them and was an inspiration for them of dedication and service in his young life.
Jane Brown
01/26/2022 — 9:23 pm
Prayers, thoughts and tears .. for somethings there is no answer to ‘why’..
Here is a resource for all those who have lost a child regardless of the age or how long ago or the cause .. this is a national support group for bereaved parents; it is Christian based. We are fortunate to have a retreat in the Hot Springs area.
https://whilewerewaiting.org/
SPC Baker
01/27/2022 — 3:56 am
I love you Maestas shit doesnt make sense man
Ernest Armentrout
01/27/2022 — 3:35 pm
RIP Brother in Arms….SLOW Hand Salute
Leigh Ann Cheek
01/28/2022 — 7:49 am
I am proud to be a part of a community that is willing to extend such kindness to Andrews family and to honor a true American Hero like Andrew!
I can’t imagine the loss felt by those who knew him, as his loss has greatly effected so many who only read about this extraordinary young man.
Prays for Olivia and to his whole family!
Beth
01/28/2022 — 10:09 am
I am truly truly heartbroken for all … his family, his girlfriend and family… but just especially his girlfriend. I can’t imagine the heartbreak and emotions she is dealing with. I just pray God can comfort and bring peace that passes all understanding.
Sharee Williams
01/28/2022 — 12:15 pm
As the Wife of a Vietnam Vet, Mother of a retired Air Force Sergeant and Stepmother to an active duty Air force service man, I don’t have the words to express the pride and also the tremendous feelings of loss for this admirable young man. My families condolences and love go out to his family and the young woman he loved so dearly. He will always be remembered by this community!
Dan Dipzinski
02/01/2022 — 12:30 pm
I served as SGT Maestas’ commander in The Old Guard from 2019-2021. This tragedy hit the Company pretty hard. In the midst of trial, I am encouraged by the memory of who Andrew Maestas was and the impact he had on the company.
SGT Maestas was a man of character; selfless, firm, and true to his morals. When I first met SGT Maestas, he was in a medical boot, recovering from an injury. He never let it slow him down. He spent his days training younger Soldiers, sharing his knowledge and experience to make the team better. When we went to the field, he ran the tower, contributing to the overall success of the training event even though he couldn’t do the training himself. He never let his circumstances dictate his attitude or behavior, instead looked at every circumstance as an opportunity for growth and benefit.
SGT Maestas fostered an environment of unity, trust, and cohesion. Within a few hours of his death i received multiple phone calls and texts about him. Soldiers, not even in his platoon, expressed the impact he made on them and the sorrow of loss they have experienced by this news. His attitude was contagious as he spread his positive attitude, desire for excellence, and team attitude throughout the formation. He brought a sense of calm to the chaos and reason to the senseless. Our company was better because he was a member and a leader in the organization.
We will miss this great man. His impact will last longer than we can measure and we are all better for having known and served with him.
Debra Davis
02/05/2022 — 11:39 am
Dear Commander Dipzinski –
Your words about Andrew are precious treasure, that I’m sure his parents will cherish forever. I did not have the honor of knowing Andrew, myself, but I do know that the most meaningful thing anyone can do when someone has suffered the tragic loss of a son, is to honor that son, and you have done that beautifully. (I lost my own son when he was 21, and many years later, I still remember every word that was spoken in honor him, and am forever grateful to those who expressed those words). My heart goes out to Andrew’s parents, and to Olivia, and to all of you who are suffering such a deep personal loss. I saw a precious comment Andrew’s mother had made, of how Andrew never gave up on anyone. That in itself is a life well lived, walking in the footsteps of Jesus. I’m sure he has heard our Lord say, “Well done, though good and faithful servant”. Blessings and many prayers, Debra