For someone who eventually wants to get into historical restoration, Andrew Norman seems to be a part of history himself, after serving two tours in Iraq as a corporal in the Marines.
Norman, a member of Lipscomb’s Yellow Ribbon program, began his service in October 2005. He said he has always known that he was drawn to the military but did not specifically know the Marines was his future destination.
At 25, Norman is one of the younger members of Yellow Ribbon, which enables veterans who served on active duty after Sept. 11, 2001, to obtain an undergraduate degree with discounted or free tuition.
“I love the Yellow Ribbon program,” he said. “Without it, I would not be going to an institution as prestigious as this.”
The small community at Lipscomb is something Norman said he really appreciates.
“The friendly atmosphere cannot be found in most other schools.”
A Nashville-area native, Norman said his family is an important support system for him. “My parents are big supporters in everything,” he said.
Norman said his younger sister Nicole, an Austin Peay graduate, plays a big role in helping him through his schooling. He said she is always there for him in his “why am I doing this?” moments.
His whole life, Norman said he has had a passion for history. After graduating, Norman intends to go to graduate school and pursue a career in historical restoration.
“I’m not gonna get rich in that field, so it shows you my like for it,” he said.
Although school may seem like a struggle to Norman sometimes, he has overcome much bigger obstacles during his two tours in Iraq.
His first tour was eight months of action on the front lines. His second tour, in 2008, was mainly boarder patrols, he said.
“My unit was assigned various security tasks,” Norman said, giving examples like route security, route clearance and convoy security, “around Al Asad, Ramadi, Rutba, and basically anywhere else in far western Iraq.”
Norman said being in Iraq has changed his perspective on life.
“It’s a humbling experience,” he said. “I enjoy the little things now, for sure.”