By Staff
September 8, 2002
When he retired as principal of Meridian High in 1980 after 27 years of active involvement in the lives of Meridian High School students, Charles A. Armstrong could have just separated himself from the whole education thing. Problem was, for Mr. Armstrong, education was the whole thing. He could never disassociate himself from the thousands of students, parents, teachers and administrators whose futures he helped shape. He just wasn't made that way.
And even in his retirement years, between road trips with his wife, Margaret, he remained close to MHS' athletic activities he sold tickets to football games and raised money for all sorts of academic and athletic programs. His incredible interest in the post-MHS lives of his students was nothing short of legendary.
So it is entirely fitting and appropriate that the football field at Ray Stadium was officially designated on Friday night as Charles A. Armstrong Field. From these grounds, he helped guide the development of young athletes  physically, emotionally, academically.
Perhaps the plaque that bears his name and his spiritual presence on the field will help the current and future generations of student-athletes come to understand that life is about more than winning and losing. It's about reaching your full potential as a human being.
On Friday night, many magnificent words marked the ceremony. Among them were these from Mr. Armstrong's oldest son, Andy:
Well said.