Marvin goes to Afghanistan for July 4th!

[BengalszoneBilly]

It's great to see our coach do something positive for our troops!

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis visits troops in war zone

BY JOE REEDY

While most NFL players and coaches are enjoying their July 4 holiday with barbeques and a brief taste of summer, Bengals coach Marvin Lewis is in Afghanistan showing his support for the armed forces.

Lewis, Philadelphia's Andy Reid, Carolina's John Fox and Minnesota's Brad Childress are visiting the troops in Germany and Afghanistan for a week as part of the NFL's partnership with the USO. This marks the second year that head coaches have been part of the tour.

For one who holds the military in such high regard, the trip has been inspiring even for the normally reserved Lewis, who described the first couple days as awesome, rewarding and enlightening.

After two days in Germany visiting the different bases there, the coaches landed in Afghanistan on Friday. The fact that they were in a war zone really hit Lewis when he saw a live minefield outside one of the bases north of Kabul while en route to an Afghan prison, where 1,300 military personnel were responsible for 99 detainees.

"This is the real deal, since everyone we are with is carrying guns at all times. This is no walk in the park," Lewis said.

Childress got a surprise on Friday when his son, Andrew, who is a Marine stationed in Afghanistan, was there to meet the coaches. Andrew Childress spent the day with them talking about his experiences.

Lewis nearly had a career in the military, turning down a chance to attend West Point and noted that that was something he looks back on with some regret.

His father was in the Army and was stationed in Germany during his military career.

As for the plans for the remainder of the trip, the aim is to visit as many troops as possible. Being as though they are in a war zone the itinerary is on a need-to-know basis and can change.

The overall itinerary underwent some revisions after the first day. The group was supposed to spend only a day in Germany before going to Afghanistan, but the plane hit a bird on takeoff and was diverted back to Ramstein Air Base. Lewis was one of three coaches seated in the cockpit when it happened.

While at Ramstein, which is located about an hour outside Frankfurt and where 75,000 troops are stationed, the coaches visited the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, which is where the most severely injured troops from Iraq and Afghanistan are transferred before heading stateside for more treatment.

With an extra day in Germany, the coaches spent an extra day touring Ramstein before the overnight trip downrange. They also got a tank demonstration at the nearby Baumholder Army Garrison.

Lewis said that he has met plenty of servicemen from Ohio, including a couple of troops from Colerain and Mount Healthy, who will be back in November and already have tickets for games. One of the flight crews he visited has Bengals season tickets.

Most of the questions directed at Lewis have been about how the offense will fare this season.

He hasn't seen any Army Rangers yet though. Three weeks ago Lewis participated in a tandem jump with members of the Rangers.

It's also been a trip among friends and three of more senior members of the NFL coaching fraternity. Reid is entering his 12th season in Philadelphia, Fox is beginning his ninth in Carolina. Lewis will tie Paul Brown and Sam Wyche as he starts his eighth year in Cincinnati. Childress, who goes into his fifth year in Minnesota, was Reid's offensive coordinator before heading to the Vikings. The Bengals will face the Eagles at Paul Brown Stadium in a preseason game on Aug. 19 and are at Carolina on Sept. 26.

The trip has also reaffirmed how much Sundays in the fall help keep the troops morale up. Kabul is 8½ hours ahead of New York, meaning the Super Bowl started in Afghanistan at 3 a.m. or that Monday Night games here start at 5 a.m. Tuesday mornings.

"Here we are over here showing how much the troops mean to us and they're thanking us," Lewis said. "They all look forward to Sunday's and staying up and watching the games. It definitely brings their spirits up."

[Kazkal]

Amazes me Mike Brown may actually let Marv walk :|

<3 <3 <3 4 ML & the Troops <3 <3 <3

[BengalszoneBilly]

Amazes me Mike Brown may actually let Marv walk

It may just be me, but I honestly don't see that happening.

[Stripes]

Amazes me Mike Brown may actually let Marv walk

It may just be me, but I honestly don't see that happening.

Nor do I, unless the team completely falls apart and wins four games all year. Another playoff appearance and he'll be the top priority next offseason, if he isn't extended already.

[combatbengal]

I'd like to see him back! A lot of people bash the coach for this and that but the fact of the matter is, none of us knows what goes on behind closed doors. We don't know who is really making decisions on players signed, depth charts, etc. Marvin reminds me of a good military leader; no matter what decisions are made, weather it's his or higher, he takes full responsibility for the action. doesn't throw others under the bus!

[COB]

Marvin is a stand-up guy. The more I learn about him, the more I admire him.

[HairOnFire]

Marvin is a stand-up guy. The more I learn about him, the more I admire him.

If I were Mike Brown I'd happily give him the keys to the Kingdom.