By Byron Croft
90 year old US Army veteran, Andy Furlong, wanted to do one thing this Halloween, and that was hand out candy to “trick or treaters” in front of his La Mesa home.
Every year, Furlong, looks forward to Halloween, and seeing all the kids in costume collecting candy, yet for the past decade, none have showed up on his street.
By Byron Croft
90 year old US Army veteran, Andy Furlong, wanted to do one thing this Halloween, and that was hand out candy to “trick or treaters” in front of his La Mesa home.
Every year, Furlong, looks forward to Halloween, and seeing all the kids in costume collecting candy, yet for the past decade, none have showed up on his street.
Furlong is suffering for the later stages of Parkinson’s disease, and according to his daughter, Annette James, he knows this may be his last Halloween. “He loves seeing all the kids excited and dressed up, but we haven’t had any trick or treaters here in years” said his daughter. “He gets candy for the kids every year, but no one comes. He asked me if we could get candy again this year, just in case, so I wanted to make sure we had people show up.”
James contacted the media who put out the word far and wide for kids to call upon Andy Furlong for their tricks and treats.
More than a thousand people came by to wish Andy Furlong well, and to say “trick or treat” while he dropped candy in bags and plastic pumpkins. Hundreds of people lined the sides of Furlong’s street as they waited their turn to meet the local veteran and Halloween lover. Many brought presents, cakes, candy, and lots of kids drew pictures and wrote notes for Furlong.
“I can’t believe it,” said Furlong. “So many people came today. They are all the way down the road.”
Furlong’s daughter Annette said, “It’s so amazing. San Diego is so great. I can’t believe how many people came here to make him happy. I’ve already cried about eight times. Hundreds of people have wished him well and made him presents and cards. He’s really overwhelmed by it. It really made him so happy.”
Furlong retired to his living room as the sun set. When asked what he thought of it all, he said it was “really nice”.
Halloween dreams do come true.
