Sad News - FIRST Robotics Alum KIA in Iraq

FIRST General Forum
1

After the all time high of this weekends competition, I was very saddened to find about the untimely loss of Andrew Dang, a founding member of the Aragon High School (Team 840) Robotics team, who was killed in action in Iraq. I know the entire FIRST family will extend their condolences to the team and the community and family who have suffered this tragedy.

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/8263111.htm

I don’t know if it is appropriate, but perhaps FIRST has a mechanism to set up a memorial scholarship in this young man’s memory?

2

I am very saddened to hear of Andrew Dang’s passing, it doesn’t matter that I didn’t know him personally… but anybody who has taken the time to found a FIRST team and serve our country in war, is a person who is worth remembering.

I’m sure there are many ways to recognize Andrew, contact FIRST and they may be willing to help.

ByE

erin

3

My condolences go out to his family and Team 840. I know some people sent over there and this is the news you dread and hope you’d never hear.

4

This truly is very sad having just remembered (yesterday) the one year anivesary of a young man who had passed while serving this country and had graduated only a few years earlier from my highschool. My heart felt condolences tonight will got out to that youngman’s family which should truly be proud of what their son was able to do ins his life time it seems with creating and FIRST club and servign his country.
I hope that their is someway for FIRST to rememeber this brave fallen man.

-Ryan D.

5

My prayers to the family and team 840l

6

This is a very sad event. This young man apparently lived making for a great future for himself, as he was prominent in athletics, academics, and robotics. Be assured that my thoughts go out to his family, community, and team 840, as I am sure everyone else feels for those affected by the tragedy.

7

Perhaps members of the CD community can get together to organize a memorial service/recognition for him at Atlanta at nationals in front of everybody. If you guys are interested send me a PM or email me at [email protected] I’ll try to call FIRST tommorow and ask if they think this could be possible.

8

I was thinking the same thing, but at SVR. Perhaps some corner where people can leave messages, flowers, remembrances, etc.

I never had the honor to meet Andrew, but my condolences go out to his friends and family for having to lose him in such a terrible way.

Let us not only think of Andrew, but of all our other troops giving their lives to “protect” America.

Cory

9

Oh my goodness. That is tragic. My condolences goes out to Andrew and his family and friends.

10

I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s times like these that make me wish we could bring all of our soldiers back home. We’ve been there far too long. If I’m at Nationals I’d like to be part of this memorial, to honor this mans life.

11

Team 22 sends our full condolences to Andrews family and to Team 840. I will try to have someone bring it up during the SoCal Regional tomorow so he can be honored like he should be.

12

Team 696 also sends our thanks for his service and our condolences to his family and friends.

When we are at robotics competitions and just living our lives in general, we usually fail to appreciate the cost at which it comes. To live in a nation where we can express ourselves, choose our own path, and live a life of freedom is a privilege. So great of one that we may never fully realize it. Unfortunately, this doesn’t come without a cost. Thousands of honerable men and women have given their lives, but not in vain. They have honerably done so. And for this, America (and much of the world) owes them a debt.

13

Team 294 sends it’s condolences. If this memorial is organized, please post it here so we can attend. If there is anything we can do, just PM me.

14

My Condolences go to the Team 840 his second family and his immediate family. This war has taken too many lives and has now taken a family member to 3 very big families. (FIRST, T. 840 and his own!) If not a scholarship be founded then a moment of silence b4 / or after the National Anthems at all the remaining competitions will suffice. Both a strong man in fighting for our country and founding a team.

May he Rest In Peace.

15

I am sorry to hear this and my prayers go out to the family and the team. I think it would be a great idea to set something up at nats maybe just a place were people can go and see who he was, his accomplishments, and be able to leave notes

I have been debating for the past couple months if i would join the army and after reading this i feel like i am going to do it not just for him but for everyone else. WE have been given so much and its my turn to repay this country.

16

Team 138 extends its condolences, and its deepest gratitude towards this young man and his family. It takes one helluva person to do what he did, and he will be missed

17

My sympathy and warmth goes out to those whom knew him.

18

Team 840 appreciates your sympathy. This has indeed been a tragedy, not only because of the loss of a soldier, or the loss of a team member, but even more as the loss of a friend.

For those of you who didn’t have the opportunity to meet him in person, Andrew Dang was one of the team’s founding members, a dedicated team player always in the thick of things, never afraid of a challenge. Everyone on the team who has met him respected and admired him for his bravery, intellect, and resourcefulness. Andrew constantly pushed the entire team, including himself, to perform to the best of their ability. He was a valued leader of our team, always willing to do what it takes to finish the task he was assigned.

After leaving, he was eager to do his duty in protecting this country, and signed up for the marines. Before deployment in Iraq, he did not have the air of one who was being sent to his death. He looked forward to a chance to prove himself and to help defend this country.

While his death is a harsh blow to all of us, it was his choice to enlist, and he made it without hesitation. He risked his life for what he believed in, and paid the ultimate price. We all have the utmost respect and admiration for him.

His brother has said:
"My brother, Andrew was always better than me at everything. He was always making me look like the idiot because he surpassed me in all aspects. But once he was in boot camp I realized that I am $@#$@#$@#$@# proud to be his brother. Now that he has been lost, I will carry on his legacy and make him proud at any cost. If he is watching over me, may he guide me to success to honor his name.

Rest in Peace my brother, Andrew Dang. 03/21/04 - He died for this country and with honor. I will do everything I can to make you proud.

-Anthony Dang"

Andrew Dang was a great friend, a great teammate, and a great person. He will be sorely missed, but we will all do our best to honor his memory.

19

I never met Andrew Dang, but he seems like an amazing person, whose contributions will never go forgotten. I can only express my heartfelt condolences to team 840, his friends, and his family.

20

On behalf of team 213 please accept our condolences on the loss of Andrew. We never had the opportunity to meet Andrew, he sounds like an amazing person and a great role model.