posted on May 24, 2010 11:04
by Master Chief Jerry Featherstone and Ron Bickerstaff
If you want some insight into Michael Arrington, you don't have to look any further than his email address; blessed & saved.
All Mr. Arrington can do is smile today. For good reason, as he was the personal guest of Rear Admiral Casey Coane, U.S. Navy (Ret), Executive Director, Association of the United States Navy, at the AUSN Inaugural Golf Tournament at Joint Base Andrews, MD.
The Arrington men hit the links
"Andrews is a very special place to me," said Arrington as he stared at Air Force One on the tarmac in the background. Even though Mr. Arrington never served in the Navy, on this day he would be treated like a rock star by the Sailors and guests playing in the tournament. Why? Here is his story:
It was the summer of 1969 and Army Specialist Arrington was serving as a combat engineer in Vietnam. He was returning from the docks when all hell broke loose. The enemy opened up with mortars and machine gun fire.
Specialist Arrington rushed to his tank and climbed up to the 50 caliber machine gun. They had to get to the perimeter and provide protection for the base camp. As he was taking the tarp off the weapon, the tank lurched forward and tossed him off the tank. The next few moments would change his life forever.
The tank pivoted, unaware that Specialist Arrington laid in its path. Tragically, his left leg was caught in the tank’s track pulling him along the road.
In an act of desperation, Arrington used his right foot to free himself from the armored vehicle. As a result, he lost his left leg above the knee and his right foot.
Arrington was medically evacuated to Japan and finally to Andrews.
"My first gulp of American air was inhaled on that tarmac over 40 years ago", Arrington reminisced.
He would spend the next 15 months at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Silver Spring, Md., undergoing seven surgeries and learning to adapt to his new situation.
Mr. Arrington was discharged and returned to his hometown of Pittsburgh, PA. where he married his bride, Carolyn, and produced three healthy sons. At an early age, he noticed his middle son had a knack for athletics. That middle son, LaVar, grew up to be a football player.
The 6 foot 3 inch, 257-pounder former Redskins linebacker was a three-time Pro Bowl selection and one of the most vocal players in the National Football League. Now, he's on the other side of the microphone with his own radio show on 106.7 The Fan, giving D.C. sports fans his views on the local sports scene.
When LaVar was drafted by the Washington Redskins second overall in the 2000 NFL Draft, he insisted his parents move to the Maryland area. They picked a house in Upper Marlboro, minutes away from the stadium and Andrews.
Admiral Coane gives LaVar an AUSN Challenge Coin
LaVar joined his father on the golf course this day and for one of the few times in his life, LaVar was not the focus of attention.
His dad was here to share his story with the Sailors returning recently from Afghanistan.
"I could see the connection Mr. Arrington made with the Sailors when I looked in the eyes of those young men. There was a definite bonding", said Admiral Coane.
The Arrington men drove from hole to hole, sharing stories with the players, hitting some golf balls, and enjoying some father-son bonding.
LaVar left prior to the end of the tournament in order to do his radio show. He was on a mission to tell a story.
LaVar dedicated the first several minutes of his show to the AUSN, the young Sailors he met that day, and paid a special tribute to his father.
Michael Arrington shares story with Sailors
LaVar lamented, "Vietnam wasn't a popular war and it took years for the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines to gain the respect they earned on the battlefield. I will never forget my experience with those Sailors and my dad and the respect they paid him today. I am so proud of my father for the sacrifices he made for his country."
And so are the Sailors at Joint Base Andrews, LaVar.