A Little Oohrah Can Go a Long Way

A friend made me aware of this story recently. I was told that the actual incident happened in 2007. The article is no longer on the internet, so I will post it in it’s entirety for the readers, and you can find a forum discussion about it on this site and also on this one. I did a little research to see if it was an urban legend, and from what I have found, I do not believe that it is, and that it is genuine. After reading about the ineptness of the 911 operators in another incident in Plantation Florida mentioned in this earlier commentary, the same city in South Florida where this incident also occurred, it was probably a good idea that the former Marine made the decision to take care of the situation himself.

And now from the “Don’t make pops come over there and go all Semper Fi on your sorry asses..” file:

Retired Marine 71 Years Old

Last week police were called to investigate and attempted armed robbery in South Florida.

The 71 year old retired Marine who opened fire on two robbers at a Plantation, FL. Subway shop late Wednesday, killing one and critically wounding the other, is described as John Lovell a former helicopter pilot for two presidents. He doesn't drink, he doesn't smoke and he works out everyday. Mr. Lovell was a man of action Wednesday night.

According to Plantation police, two masked gunmen came into a small restaurant at 1949 N. Pine Rd. just after 11 P.M. There was a lone diner, Mr. Lovell, who was finishing his meal. After robbing the cashier, the two men attempted to shove Mr. Lovell into a bathroom and rob him as well. They got his money, but then Mr. Lovell pulled his handgun and opened fire. He shot one of the thieves in the head and chest and the other in the head.

When police arrived, they found one of the men in the shop, K-9 units found the other in the bushes of a nearby business. They also found cash strewn around the front of the sandwich shop according to Detective Robert Rettig of the Plantation Police Department.

Both men were taken to the Broward General Medical Center, where one, Donicio Arrindell, 22 of North Lauderdale died. The, 21 year old Frederick Godson of Fort Lauderdale is in critical but stable condition.

A longtime friend of Lovell was not surprised to hear what happened. The friend said. "He'd give you the shirt off his back, but he'd be mad as hell if someone tried to take the shirt off you back."

Mr. Lovell was a pilot in the Marine Corps, flying former Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. He later worked as a pilot for Pan Am and Delta.

He is not expected to be charged authorities said. "He was in fear for his life." Detective Rettig said, "These criminals ought to realize that most men in their 70's have military backgrounds and aren't intimidated by idiots."

Here is the comment posted at the end of the article:

Something tells me this old Marine wasn't in fear for his life, even though his life was definitely at risk. The only thing he could be charged with is participating in an unfair fight. One 71 year young Marine against two punks. Two head shots and one center body mass shot - outstanding shooting! That'll teach them not to get between a Marine and his meal.

Don't you just love a story with a happy ending?

(Florida law allows eligible citizens to carry a concealed weapon. Every state should.)


In closing I would like to state, that I thank God I had role models that were very much like the man in this article. Take action men of courage, who would not stand for injustice being perpetrated against themselves or others. I think this is what I miss most in today's society, where stories like the one above are no longer common, but are now only the rare exception.