Not much to be said here other than “watch the video”. Craig Patterson, owner of Crossfit Vancouver provides a great overview of the Nutts Cup Crossfit event. I can almost see Drew shaking his head in disbelief in his humble way at how huge this event has gotten and the amazing difference it’s making in the community. He would be so proud.
See it here:
It’s pretty hard to believe it’s now been 3 years since we lost Andrew. For those he left behind, December 23 is a day that will no longer just pass in the rush of holiday preparations as it did before. It’s a day we will always spend time remembering the loss of a great friend to us, whether we were linked to him by blood, combat, or other shared experience.
Andrew really was an amazing friend to so many of us - he set a great example of how to do that. As I was sitting tonight looking through old pictures and reminiscing about all of the great times I had with him, it occurred to me that those thoughts of “I wish I had been able to spend just a little more time with him” or “Why didn’t I try harder to keep in touch and in tune with him while he was away?” are just as applicable to a number of my own living friends. We’re all busy people with our own lives, but how would we feel if another of them left us suddenly? Would it not be the same lamenting over lost opportunities to connect?
Though we continue to mourn Andrew’s loss one thing we need to remember (and something he would want us to think about) is that we all have many friends & relatives that we could be making more efforts with. It’s literally never been easier with the technology available to keep in contact with our loved ones, yet we often get swept up in our own lives and forget or don’t feel we have time to reach out to those we care about.
Perhaps if you read this post and agree, over the holidays this year you can reach out just a little harder than you otherwise might have. Make that one extra Skype call or send that one additional email or Facebook message. In doing so you might just re-connect with someone who would dearly love to hear from you.
Happy Holidays everyone - enjoy your time spent with family and friends and recognize it for how valuable it is. These are the moments you will remember fondly, so create some new ones and make them count. Reach out to those you love and find out what’s going on in their lives. Tell them how much they mean to you.
Thanks Drew, for continuing to inspire us to be better people, and better friends.
God Bless Nutts.
Remembrance Day always a difficult day for anyone who’s been to war or lost family or friends. Obviously we, who knew and loved Andrew so much have a heavy heart today. I know lots of Andrew’s friends and family are attending services, posting pictures or comments, etc - remembering him in their own ways.
The Times Colonist in Victoria also posted this article - worth a read if only to see Drew’s face again. 
We’re all together in mourning him and the rest of the fallen and injured heroes who have sacrificed so much for us and for our country.
God Bless Nutts, and God Bless our other Canadian Heroes.
The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra is putting on a special performance on Saturday, Nov 10, entitled ‘Afghanistan: Requiem for a Generation’, followed by a gala reception. Andrew’s family has been invited and will be participating, along with other families, in a dedication.
For anyone in the Calgary area (or otherwise) who would like to know about it, please visit the Calgary Philharmonic’s website at http://www.cpo-live.com, or the following page re Afghanistan: Requiem for a Generation.
On August 1st, 2012 a tree was planted in Andrew’s memory in Petawawa. An Afghanistan memorial and forest has been developed to honour the 158 who fell in Afghanistan. In these small ways we continue to thank those who sacrificed so much to allow us the lucky lives we live.
Thank you Andrew. And thank you to all of the other fallen, injured, and home-safe soldiers who have and continue to do so much for the rest of us.
Pictures of the event…
Better late than never: the 2012 Nutts Cup Crossfit Tourney was more successful than ever, raising a ton of money for a good cause, bringing in buddies of Andrew’s in the Canadian Forces from out of province, and celebrating Andrew’s life and remembering him through a competition both fun and inspiring.
Pictures say a thousand words…
The three winning teams. The first place team was from CrossFit Calgary.
Members of the PPCLI team from Edmonton are encouraged by Sgt. Pete Devries and Sgt. Kevin Lincez.
Members of the PPCLI from Edmonton. Five of these men were in Andrew’s platoon, 12 Platoon.
Members of the PPCLI, with Jane and Rick, and the winning team on the far right.
Jane and Rick, Andy’s cousin Lindsay, and members of the PPCLI.
Check out the Crossfit.ca page re-capping the event.
Thanks again, Drew, for inspiring us and helping us remember what’s important in this life.
Happy birthday to a Canadian hero many of us knew and continue to love, and will miss always.
Every year around this time you were always surrounded by those who loved you most, and we’re all thinking about you and remembering those times again. Wish you were here buddy.
On another note around remembering Andrew, the 2012 Crossfit Nutts Cup competition is going to be held on August 11 at Crossfit Vancouver. This is an amazing event that’s grown beyond expectation - if you can make it either as a spectator, supporter, or competitor, you will definitely enjoy it and have an opportunity to keep Andrew’s memory alive and well. For information on the event as it unfolds, go to the Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/391413890882892/
They managed to raise over $8,000 for the event the last time I checked with them, but are on track to have even more by the time the event occurs. They also have a beautiful, shiny trophy this year along with all of the other prizes - check it out:
As always - God Bless Nutts.
What was originally an outdoor shinny hockey weekend limited to members of the Guts Hockey team out of Vancouver has grown in meaning and size since we lost Andrew in December 2009. The tournament that followed that January was then renamed to the “Guts/Nutts Cup” in memory of Andrew, who many of the members of the Guts hockey team knew and loved.
This year it was bigger and better than ever, with over 50 guys taking over the entire hostel at the Apex Ski Resort and commandeering the outdoor rink across the parking lot for the entire weekend of March 8-11.
The tournament is about hockey in its purest, most Canadian form (e.g. outside!) and about having a great time with old and new friends. But it’s now also about remembering Andrew and stands as a symbol of one of the things Andrew was fighting for: our very Canadian way of life and taking a weekend to enjoy the benefits of it by spending time competing and having fun, and doing it in the most Canadian way possible.
This year the winners were the Hearts, who beat out the heavily favoured Diamonds with a combination of grit and skill. Andrew’s father Rick dropped the puck for the final game and watched from the sidelines while Drew’s good buddies from the Canadian Forces, Bryce Talsma and Wayne Niven helped their team take home the Cup in their first ever appearance at the tournament.
Much like January 2010 when Andrew’s brother Johnny took home the trophy in an emotional and unexpected win with his underdog team, we felt like Andrew was there helping his “army boys” along to their big win, and participating in the celebrations later.
God bless Nutts.
I don’t think there’s a lot to say today that hasn’t already been said over the past two years. There were many events this year where Andrew was honoured and remembered, and it’s clear that his memory is and will continue to be strong among all those who love him and are inspired by him. Rather than listing them all here, browse the past posts which document many of the wonderful and inspiring events many of us participated in over the last 12 months.
Today is a day that many of us wish we didn’t have marked in the calendars in our hearts, but it’s another opportunity for us to immerse ourselves in the wonderful memories we have of Andrew, and those can never be taken from us even if Andrew was.
Re-watch Ken Anderson’s video that was posted last year at this time:
It’s funny how you keep making us proud, Andy.
Andrew has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal by the Governor General of Canada. The medal recognizes individuals for their outstanding professionalism and bringing honour to Canada and its military.
This is a great honour and reminds us again how great a man Andrew was and how much we’ve all lost in losing him. The Citation reads:
Lieutenant Andrew Richard Nuttall, M.S.M. (Posthumous)
Victoria, British Columbia
Meritorious Service Medal (Military Division)
“As a platoon commander from October 2009 until December 23, 2009, Lieutenant Nuttall moulded his soldiers into a cohesive team that excelled in Afghanistan’s demanding environment. His professionalism while working and living with his Afghan comrades created a common understanding and enabled seamless integration during counter-insurgency operations. While the loss of Lieutenant Nuttall was devastating, the culture and esprit de corps forged under his leadership were instrumental in enabling his soldiers to successfully continue their mission.”
For more information, see The Governor General’s Press Release.
Also see the vicnews.com article covering the event.
Note that the picture above is of Andrew’s new gravestone, which indicates this honour by presenting him as “Andrew Richard Nuttall - Lieutenant, M.S.M.”
We’re so proud of you Drew, and we miss you always.
God Bless Nutts.
