The TAPING RECORDER August, 2004
News from & about Taping For The Blind,
Inc. www.tapingfortheblind.org

SPECIAL EDITION

I have always said that Taping volunteers are some of the most
extraordinary people in the world. What I offer in this special edition is
validation of this assertion.

This edition is dedicated to the family and friends of Captain
Andrew R. Houghton. Andy became a Taping volunteer in the summer of
1996. We were his Senior Project for Strake Jesuit College Preparatory
School. Andy worked in Custom Recording doing a variety of work through
1997. It has been said that Andy's smile was his secret weapon, and we
believe that he captured the Taping staff with it -- since he was 17 when
he started his volunteer work with us, and one must be 18 to be a volunteer.

We were pleased to have relatives of Andy visit us last week, and
because we had advance notice of this visit, we were able to search the
archives and found a sample of Andy's work to present to his family.

Andy died as a result of injuries received while on duty in
Iraq. I will paste the obituary from the Houston Chronicle below. I also
have a couple of stories from the Chronicle, and if you would like to read
those stories, please send me a private message at rlb19@... and I
will forward what I have. You may also check www.andyhoughton.org for more
information.

We offer the sympathy of the entire Taping family to the family &
friends of Andy Houghton.

Bob Bartlett

From the Houston Chronicle, August 16, 2004:

Captain Andrew R. Houghton of Comfort, Texas (formerly of Richmond, Texas)
died on Monday, August 9, 2004, from combat injuries suffered during
Operation Iraqi Freedom. The 25-year-old soldier was awarded the Purple
Heart in bedside ceremonies at the Walter Reed Medical Center in
Washington, D. C. on Thursday, August 5.

Andy was born September 26, 1978, in Houston, Texas, and he was a
resident of Fort Bend County for 18 years. A U. S. Military Academy
graduate, Captain Houghton sustained serious head wounds July 10 when his
Bradley fighting vehicle came under rocket propelled grenade attack in
Iraq. He commanded the 3rd Platoon, 1st Squadron, 4th U.S. Cavalry, 1st
Infantry Division. Captain Houghton was a 1997 graduate of Strake Jesuit
College Preparatory School in Houston, Texas, and during his high school
career Andy was active in National Honor Society, Debate, and SJET (Strake
Jesuit Educational Television). He lettered in football and track. He
also served on the Crusader Guard, yearbook staff, Freshman Retreat team,
and the debate team at Strake Jesuit. Andy received the prestigious
Crusader of the Year Award in 1994. Houghton attained the highest rank in
the Boy Scouts of America, that of Eagle Scout. As a high school senior,
he volunteered for many hours at Houston Taping For The Blind. As a member
of West Point's Class of 2001, Captain Houghton was in charge of organizing
and running the Special Olympics held at West Point during his junior and
senior year, and was the cadet in charge of counseling during the 2000
cadet basic training. He majored in history, political science, and
computer science at the U.S. Military Academy, and was an active member of
the Combat Weapons Team. Captain Houghton's awards and decorations include
the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Army Good Conduct Medal, National
Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global
War on Terrorism Service Medal, The Army Service Ribbon, and the Overseas
Service Ribbon. Captain Houghton was stationed in Germany prior to
deploying to Iraq in February of this year. As he prepared to deploy to
Iraq, he sent the following e-mail message to his family and friends:

"Dear Family & Friends, The 4th United States Cavalry is finally
deploying. I am very proud to be able to serve with the Cavalry scouts of
the 3rd Platoon, Anvil Troop, 1st Squadron, 4th United States Cavalry in
their efforts to bring peace and stability to the dictator-ravaged, war
torn country of Iraq. The men that I am privileged to lead are some of the
finest that America has to offer, and all of you can take pride and comfort
in the fact that they will be living their lives and carrying out their
duties for 365 consecutive days for you and the ideals of freedom, justice,
and democracy. I would ask that you please pray for them, success in their
missions, on their safe return at the end of their tour. From my own
personal point of view, an Army leader can work his whole career and never
have such an opportunity to take soldiers like these into combat. I remain
humbled and awed at what they do every day that I get to work with them.
Until later, Signed Andy"

Captain Houghton is survived by his parents, George & Cynthia
Houghton of Comfort, brother 2nd Lieutenant Matthew Houghton of Fort Sill,
Oklahoma, and Grandmothers Dee Damron of Missouri City and Wilma Houghton
of Houston. He is also survived by 4 aunts, 4 uncles, and 6 cousins.

Andy was a wonderful person. He was a blessing to his family and
friends and countless others literally around the world. Selfless service
defined his life. He was truly a man for others. Funeral services and
burial will be held on Monday, August 16, 2004, at the United States
Military Academy at West Point...well done, good and faithful servant.