Montrose residents U.S. Air Force Major Andy Burghdorf and his wife U.S. Air Force Major Jennifer Burghdorf were named Veterans of the Year for the 5th District by Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger. This was the first time a married couple has been honored.

Andy is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy who served on active duty from 2004 through 2009 in Guam, Germany and Iraq earning eight military service awards and decorations. He continues to serve as an AF reservist out of March Air Force Base as the senior intelligence officer and chief of Wing Intelligence. Andy has a M.A. in Intelligence Studies-Terrorism from the American Military University. He began working at St. Francis High School in 2011 and is now St. Francis’ chief operating officer. He also assists with the soccer program and is the moderator for the school’s Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter. He is a member of the board for the St. Edward Retreat Center and is actively involved in St. Francis and Holy Redeemer-St. James activities as well as everything his two sons are engaged in. He is a graduate of Leadership Pasadena’s Community Leadership Course for Veterans.

Jennifer graduated as a civil engineer from the U.S. Air Force Academy and received her Master of Arts degree in emergency and disaster management from the American Military University. She served on active duty from 2005 through 2010 in Guam, Germany, Qatar and Afghanistan. She is the recipient of 11 military service awards and decorations. She currently serves as the deputy commander for the 452 Civil Engineer Squadron (CES) at March Air Force Base. In early 2019, she returned from a deployment to Syria after serving as the civil engineering flight commander and assistant director of operations. She is an active school and church volunteer as well as being a Cub Scout Troop leader with her sons.

“I met Andy through the Community Leadership Course for Veterans and was overwhelmed by his dedication to country and community, his unbridled enthusiasm and kindness and his openness and honesty. I thought of him immediately as a Veteran of the Year nominee,” said Cindy Bengtson of Leadership Pasadena. “When I asked if I could nominate him, he said no – I should nominate Jennifer instead. So I nominated them both and the Supervisor decided to honor them both! They are a remarkable couple in our community who deserve our thanks and appreciation!”

“Jennifer and I are immensely honored and extremely humbled by our selection. We both typically shy away from recognition for our service because we know that there are others who are far more deserving,” said Andy. “We gratefully accept this honor while acknowledging that we do so on behalf of all of the men and women who have served and sacrificed for this great nation.”