An Andrews-area native who has served in the U.S. Army has received another honor for his service.

Sgt. Ciderick Cumbee of the Big Dam Swamp community was recently presented the Warrior of the Year award from the Warrior Transition Battalion in Fort Gordon, Ga.

Cumbee said the award was presented because of his service to the community. It comes about a year after he received the Service Member of the Quarter award.

Cumbee, who was hit by an explosive device while serving overseas, said he felt very down when he first entered the program, as if his life was over.

The doctors helped him realize that not all of him was injured and that he could go in another direction, he said.

Cumbee’s father, the Rev. Felton Cumbee, was a Vietnam veteran and a minister before passing away in 2009. His mother, Eliza Cumbee, runs a daycare in Andrews.

“I had a full-time father who taught me to be a man,” he said. “I asked myself what it would take to get back to basics of love and concern and giving back to the community.”

Cumbee said he hopes to start working with the Sheriff’s Office to help kids who have been suspended from school.

“They need to be out working instead of sitting at home,” he said.

By Scott Harper

sharper@gtowntimes.com