‘Andy’s Great Adventure’ turns into civics lesson

ALBANY — Andy Wilson is a precocious first-grader at Albany’s Lake Park Elementary School who in March lost his mother to cancer. Since then his grandfather, Terry Wilson, has been watching Andy for several days a week — and more during the long holiday break.

Early Wednesday morning, Terry Wilson had an idea to entertain Andy and also teach him something in the process. He called it “Andy’s Great Adventure.”

“I was just trying to fill in the day because I told him we weren’t going to sit around and play videogames all day,” Wilson said. “He’s a very bright kid, so I decided we’d turn the day into a civics lesson and go downtown and see how the city works. So we came downtown, and so far we’ve been to the Water, Gas & Light office, the tax office, the tag office, the Albany Police Department, the courthouse and The Albany Herald.

“Every place we’ve been, the people have been wonderful and just fell in love with Andy. They took time to tell him what they do at work. They thought the trip was a great trip.”

The duo planned to visit the Albany Fire Department and county EMS station later in the day, but it will be hard to top Andy’s visit to the Law Enforcement Center.

“We went down to the Police Department and asked if we could meet Chief (Michael) Persley,” Wilson said. “The lady behind the glass said he was busy, but she called upstairs anyway. In about five minutes, the chief came down and talked to us.”

Wilson said he and Andy told the chief about the reason for the trip and about the boy’s mother.

“I could tell it touched his heart,” the granddad said.

Persley then told the two to wait because he had something he wanted to give Andy.

When the chief returned he gave Andy a challenge coin, which is a small coin or medallion (usually military), bearing an organization’s insignia or emblem and carried by the organization’s members. Traditionally, they are given to prove membership when challenged and to enhance morale.

“Look what he gave me. This is so cool,” Andy said excitedly, holding up the coin in both hands.

“We don’t have visitors like them very often. It’s nice that they took the effort to learn how the city operates.” Persley said later. “I wanted him to have something to remember the trip by. Giving him that coin was truly my pleasure.”

Wilson said when the pair return home he’ll ask the youngster to write a story about the day’s events. When school starts on Jan. 3, and if they have a “what I did over the holidays” assignment, “Andy’s Great Adventure” should earn him a nice grade … with an assist from grandpa.