SUMMARY OF MILITARY EXPERIENCE
NAVY
In 1962, I joined the United States Naval Reserve and began my tour as an enlisted man. Following my recruit training, I was stationed at the U.S. Naval shipyard in Portsmouth, VA where I was trained in the Boatswains Mate Division and served as a deckhand aboard the destroyer escort, U.S.S Wren.
I attended and graduated from the Assault Boat Coxswain and Cargo Handling School where I learned the operation and maintenance of landing craft.
Upon graduation, I was stationed aboard the troop carrier, U.S.S Capricorn. While aboard the Capricorn, I piloted the MIKE Boats that transferred Marines and their equipment from the ship to the beaches during the Santo Domingo crisis. As a result, I was awarded the U.S. Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.
I was released from active duty with the rank of SEAMAN in July of 1965.
ARMY
In 1978, I joined the U.S. Army Reserve as an officer in the Medical Services Corp.
As an Audiologist with the 349th General Hospital, I was responsible for the auditory health of soldiers by:
- Conducting hearing assessments to diagnose auditory disorders.
- Providing hearing conservation programs to prevent noise-induced hearing loss.
- Fitting and dispensing hearing aids and assistive listening devices.
- Developing rehabilitation plans for soldiers with hearing impairments.
- Educating soldiers on hearing protection and auditory health.
- Collaborating with other healthcare professionals to ensure comprehensive care.
In 1981, I completed the course work and field training experience to be awarded the EXPERT FIELD MEDIC BADGE.
In 1983, I received extensive training at the Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Defense schools at Fort Carson, Colorado and at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. As a result, I was certified in HAZMAT operations and the handling of toxic and hazardous substances.
When my training was complete, I was reassigned to the Plans and Operations Section of the Headquarters Company of the hospital where I commanded the (CBRN) defense platoon.
To ensure the safety and effectiveness of the hospital against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats, my duties as the (CBRN) officer included:
- Development and implementation of CBRN defense strategies and policies.
- Risk assessments and vulnerability analyses for CBRN threats.
- Training and education of soldiers on CBRN detection, protection, and decontamination procedures.
- Coordination and oversight of CBRN response operations during exercises and real-world incidents.
- Collaboration with other military branches and agencies on CBRN preparedness and response.
- Maintenance and management of CBRN equipment and resources to ensure operational readiness.
My CBRN platoon provided extensive training to hospital personnel in effectively setting up a chemical decontamination area for patients and medical staff dealing with military casualties.
They were taught to:
- Establish a designated decontamination zone away from patient care areas.
- Ensure adequate water supply with high-pressure hoses and decontamination showers.
- Provide personal protective equipment (PPE) for all medical staff involved.
- Set up containment units for hazardous materials and contaminated clothing.
- Implement clear signage and protocols for decontamination procedures.
- Train staff on decontamination techniques and emergency response plans.
I was discharged from the U.S. ARMY RESERVE in 1991 having achieved the rank of MAJOR.
POST-MILITARY/PRE-ACCIDENT EXPERIENCES
1965 through 2006
EDUCATION
In the mid 1960’s, following my release from active military duty, I returned to San Antonio, Texas and resumed my life as a professional musician.
During that time, I used my GI Bill benefits to begin studies at San Antonio Junior College. I received my Liberal Arts associate degree in 1971.
I continued my undergraduate studies earning my Bachelor of Science degree in Speech and Language Pathology with a minor in Elementary Education from Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan in 1973.
I was granted a scholarship to Teachers College, Columbia University in New York, N.Y. where I received my Master of Arts degree in Special Education for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired in 1975.
I continued my graduate studies at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI where I earned my Master of Science degree in Audiology and Hearing Science in 1976.
PUBLICATIONS
During the latter part of 1976, my master’s thesis was published in the Michigan Speech and Hearing Association Journal.
CERTIFICATIONS & LICENCES
- Licensed in the State of California to practice
Clinical and Educational Audiology
- National Certification from the American Speech and Hearing Association to teach multiply handicapped students all subjects K thru 12th Grade
EMPLOYMENT
Migrating to California in the late 70’s, I worked as the Educational Audiologist for four elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school in the Deaf Education Program of the Covina Valley Unified School District, Covina, CA. I also taught deaf and hearing-impaired second-grade students at one of the elementary schools.
In 1980, I worked for the California Department of Developmental Disabilities as a Special Education teacher for multiply handicapped children and adults at Lanterman State Hospital, Diamond Bar, CA.
Despite the modest income this was the most rewarding time of my professional life.
SIGNIFICANT EXPERIENCES AFTER MY ACCIDENT
In the spring of 2006, I was struck by a hit-and-run motorist while riding my bicycle. The traumatic brain injury that I sustained placed me in a coma for twenty-two days following the accident. Several debilitating conditions due to incurred injuries included:
(1) Chronic Venous Hypertension
(2) Myofascial Pain Syndrome
(3) Degenerative Joint Disease
(4) Generalized Osteoarthritis
(5) Spinal Stenosis
(6) Avascular Necrosis
The latter conditions prompted the surgical removal and replacement of both of my hips AND the prognosis of a wheelchair-bound disabled veteran incapable of sustaining gainful employment in a profession in which I had prepared and engaged for nearly forty years.
While an inpatient at the Jerry Pettis Veterans Memorial Hospital in Loma Linda, CA, I became despondent at the notion of never being able to walk, dance, run, or perform basic activities like dressing, shopping or cleaning my own apartment without assistance.
Reluctantly, I accepted the fact that I was DISABLED.
BUT JUST BECAUSE YOU’RE DISABLED DOESN’T MEAN THAT YOU’RE HANDICAPPED
DEVELOPMENT OF AN ARCHERY-BASED PERSONAL REHABILITATION PLAN
I resolved that I would find a way to regain as many of my former physical capabilities as possible. I plunged myself into the exercises and rehabilitative techniques that were offered by the physical therapists at the VA Medical Center in Loma Linda where I was an inpatient.
One day, while lying in bed watching a Robin Hood movie and manipulating the stretch bands used to build up my arms and upper body strength, I noticed that the archers in the movie were using the same body movements.
I realized that I could use those exercises once I was discharged from the hospital to develop an at-home rehabilitation program.
After my discharge from the VA Medical Center, I rented an apartment near the hospital with a backyard that was big enough to accommodate a small archery range. Eventually, I was able to save enough money to purchase the rudimentary equipment required to establish a routine archery training schedule.
With the advice and guidance from the physical and recreational therapists at the VA and a lot of online research, I developed a plan that focused on the improvement of my functional mobility.
My goal was to develop the ambulation, translocation and transfer skills needed to shoot my arrows at a target, retrieve the arrows and repeat the sequence.
I started with the target a short distance away. I focused on getting out of my wheelchair to reach forward and pull the arrows from the target.
It was extremely difficult at first but as I became stronger, I requested a stand-up walker. I began to gradually increase the distance between myself and the target.
After almost a year my physical abilities had improved such that, I was able to:
(1) shoot arrows over 18 plus meters from the target
(2) raise up out of my wheelchair
(3) translocate to the target with the help of the Walker
(4) retrieve the arrows
(5) return to my wheelchair
More importantly I noticed a dramatic improvement in the ease with which I could conduct my daily activities. I was able to dress myself and attend to my personal hygiene with much less effort. I was able to complete light housework, laundry and cook my own meals using a microwave. Eventually, with my motorized wheelchair, I was able to use public transportation to go shopping.
MY PHYSICAL GROWTH FROM ARCHERY
As my physical capabilities improved, I was able to become a volunteer at the VA Medical Center.
Over the last seventeen years, I have accrued over twenty-five thousand volunteer hours assisting the staff of Recreation Therapists in providing daily activities and community re-entry opportunities to the veterans residing in the convalescent, rehabilitation, dementia and palliative care units of the Medical Center.
My experience has made me an avid proponent and enthusiastic advocate of the healing qualities of adaptive sports, particularly archery.
HISTORY AS A COMPETITOR IN TARGET ARCHERY
Towards the end of 2008, I had become proficient enough to compete in local, state and national archery competitions.
I began competing in the National Veterans Wheelchair Games in 2008 and I have won one silver and sixteen gold medals over the last seventeen annual competitions.
In 2020, I participated in four major National/International tournaments including the U.S. OPEN where I earned a bronze medal in the Masters 71+ Division.
Tournaments include:
- The 2020 BUCKEYE CLASSIC in Dublin, Ohio
- The 2020 SOCAL SHOWDOWN in Chula Vista, CA
- The Gator CUP in Newberry, Florida
- The 137th USA ARCHERY TARGET NATIONALS and U.S. OPEN in Richmond, Virginia
In 2021, I won a gold medal at the California State Indoor Championships.
In 2022, I won gold medals at the California State Outdoor Championships and at the California Pacific Coast Championships.
In 2024, I journeyed to Birmingham, Alabama where I competed and won the gold medal in the MOVE UNITED/HARTFORD NATIONALS archery tournament.
Shortly thereafter, I received a Certificate in the mail from the MOVE UNITED ORGANIZATION competition manager informing me that my score at the tournament had broken the HARTFORD NATIONALS’ ARCHERY RECORD for the Male-Masters 70+-Compound-Standing Division.
DEVELOPMENT INTO A COACH AND STAUNCH PROPONENT OF ARCHERY, AS AN ADAPTIVE SPORT
During my tenure as a volunteer at the VA Medical Center. I interacted with hundreds of wheelchair bound veterans. A great number of them expressed the same concerns and apprehensions that I did when I was an inpatient.
Reflecting on the positive influence archery had on my physical and psychological rehabilitation, I decided to development an archery program specifically designed to address their needs.
Realizing that such an endeavor requires a staff which are qualified, experienced and credentialed practitioners of the sport, I embarked on the following plan to legitimize my status as an Instructor/Coach:
- I contacted USA Archery and obtained membership in the organization.
USA Archery is the national governing body for the Olympic sport of archery.
- I was tested by a board of International Classifiers from the FITA/World Archery organization who officially classified me as a PARA-ARCHER.
USA Archery World is the international governing body for the sport of archery.
- Through the USA Archery for SafeSport Training program, I attended and successfully completed the requirements for Level 2AAA Archery Instructor/Coach and was awarded the Certificate of completion in November of 2023.
- Through constant participation in the courses provided through the USA Archery for SafeSport Training Program, I keep myself abreast of the up-to-date knowledge required to administer and maintain a safe and rewarding archery experience for everyone with whom I work.
I present this narrative as testimony to the tremendous positive influence that the sport of archery has had on my life.
My hope is to inspire, motivate and encourage veterans to involve themselves in a sport like archery; not only for their physical well-being but for the sheer pleasure and feeling of self-worth the sport can provide.
Al EDWARD MARCONI