Coupeville Sports

Brett Arnold and his lil’ niece hang out.

Brett Arnold is the guy who held it all together.

When Jake Tumblin ran wild on the football field as a senior for CHS, it was Arnold, his fullback, who led the way, hitting every block and helping open holes.

Ball in his hand, Arnold was a put-your-chin-down-and-blast-the-guy-in-front-of-you runner.

He gave Tumblin and Josh Bayne chance to catch their breath, while putting the defense on its heels.

As a soccer player, he was the last line of defense, the anchor to a bend-but-never-break back wall that made goalie Joel Walstad’s job easier.

Off the field, Brett overcame great personal upheaval in his family’s life and remained a leader, both at school, where he was on the executive board, and in his church, where he devoted much of his spare time.

Through it all, through good times and some extremely harrowing times, he has kept the welcoming smile on his face.

He is an ambassador for his town, his school, his church. And, never once has it seemed like he wasn’t being genuine.

What I have seen over the last several years is a young man, sometimes quiet, sometimes ebullient. A possessor of intelligence, commitment and principles, a  guy who treats others around him with compassion and friendliness.

Brett has been a warrior on and off the field, and, as he celebrates his 19th birthday today, I wish him the best.

I would say this to him — know that, in your darkest moments, you have a town behind you, there to lift you up. And that, in your moments of triumph, we all share a sliver of your joy.

You have made Coupeville better for your presence, Brett. As you go forward, you may depart this physical place, but it will always be with you.

We are you. You are we. And we are very proud of what you have been and what you will become.