AUBURN, Ala. – Sept. 11, 2001 impacted the world in a way that no one had ever felt before, especially in the United States. It made people think about their true priorities.
Drew Lufkin, Auburn's Ford Hero of the Game, was no different.
"I grew up in northern Maine, about 40 miles from the Canadian border," he said. "I originally joined the Army Reserve to help figure out what I wanted to do with my life and then Sept. 11 happened two months later, and I told myself, this Reserve thing isn't doing it because that really bothered me."
On the 18th anniversary of that tragic day, Drew thinks back to that time that changed his life forever, and the setback that delayed his entry into the fray.
"I immediately tried to get switched to active duty but ended up getting leukemia and spent two and a half years on chemo," he said. "I lost my hair everywhere and fought it to eventually get medically cleared and went on active duty in 2007."
Lufkin believed he had some making up to do for his country and wasted no time giving his all. Putting in some hard work to eventually earn a spot as one of our elite warriors; an Army Ranger.
"I became an infantryman and went through infantry school, then airborne school, and went through the RIP (Ranger Indoctrination Program)," he said.
"I went to Ranger school in 2009, and then went to the Ranger Regiment where I spent the next six years. There I did four deployments; three to Afghanistan and one to Iraq, and realized the Army picks terrible vacation spots," he said with a grin.
Army Staff Sgt. Drew Lufkin, second from left, and Air Force Col. John Haynes: Auburn's Ford Game Day Heroes vs. Tulane
Finishing up his tours in the Middle East, Lufkin got stationed in Alaska where he remained for his last few years in the Army, only to continue his next great journey.
"In 2013, I moved to Alaska and lived there for three years until I got medically retired," he said. "My wife at the time was an Auburn grad from this area and we decided to move down here. It is easy to say that moving to Auburn is one of the best decisions I ever made."
Lufkin's time at Auburn came with its challenges, but his life experiences led him to overcome anything thrown his way.
"I started in 2016 and had a whole lot of life happen along my tour. One thing for sure, I love the family atmosphere here in Auburn," he said. "Everybody is family and we all take care of each other and help each other out. I have been blessed and had a lot of help along the way."
A major part of that family piece is the relationship he gained with the Auburn Student Veterans Association.
"You have a lot of awesome people here in the ASVA and that work in the Veterans Resource Center, and one thing I learned in life is that you don't do life by yourself," he said. "I have had a lot of people that were able to help me out and give me direct help to send me down the path I was supposed to go down.
"Being able to come into the VRC and use its resources and honestly, just to be able to talk with veterans is such an awesome thing to have for myself and fellow vets," he said.
Lufkin recalls his favorite Auburn memories that motivated him to continue to serve others.
"One of the best things I have ever done is the Operation: Iron Ruck last year," he said.
"I was interning out in Iowa for John Deere and took the week off so I could drive down here because I always enjoy a good challenge with my brothers and sisters. I can't wait to do it again this year."
With all that he has been through, from the time he knew his calling on 9/11, to winning the fight against leukemia, being an Army Ranger and a combat hardened vet, Drew Lufkin responded with humility after being recognized by 85,000 at Jordan-Hare Stadium .
"When I joined the military, I didn't do it for the recognition, so honestly the biggest kick out of it all was my children getting a chance to meet Aubie and all of us getting a picture with him," he said.
Lufkin graduated this summer in mechanical engineering and works for Integrated Solutions for Systems, Inc. in Auburn. He has no intentions of parting anytime soon with the place that has given him so much; just as he has done for his country.
"I am staying here because I love it here," he said. "Auburn has done a lot for me and I just want to be able to pay it forward."
Drew Lufkin, thank you for your service and War Eagle.
Navy veteran Jonathan Housand is a student assistant in Auburn Athletics communications
About Ford Game Day Hero
This program is a season long commitment made by your Local Ford Dealer and Auburn Athletics. The program pays tribute to local military personnel and their families. Auburn Athletics hosts one family at each home game to show our gratitude for their continued commitment and sacrifice. To nominate your hero, click HERE.