Akin Bimmer Works opened up home to BMW customer from Fort Campbell

By CAROL STUART
For Brentwood Home Page
Back in September 2009, U.S. Army Capt. Seth Varayon brought in his 2003 BMW M-5 from Fort Campbell to Allen Akin’s Akin Bimmer Works shop in Brentwood to have auto repairs done while attending a wedding in North Carolina.

“I was trying to kill two birds with one stone,” said Varayon, a Purple Heart recipient who recently returned from his second deployment to Afghanistan.

“My plan was to take a cab to the airport. We got to talking, and (Allen) was very, very kind and said thanks for your service ... He found out my flight was the next day – I didn’t tell him, but I was going to sleep in the terminal. He took me to lunch, we hung out some more, and then he and his wife took me to dinner and let me stay at his house, and then he took me to the airport bright and early.

Capt. Seth Varayon gave Akin Bimmer Works owner Allen Akin this U.S. flag flown during combat operations in Afghanistan during March 22, along with a certificate. (Photo submitted by JoAnn Akin)

“For the most part, we were pretty much strangers before that,” said Varyon, a regular customer. “During the wedding, they fixed the car. He picked me up on Sunday evening as well, and the car was ready and waiting.”

Not too long after that, Varayon – who actually met his current girlfriend at that wedding – shipped out for Afghanistan. Fast forward a year and half later, and the soldier calls up Akin and says he has something for him.

“He brought the girl he is dating now with him, and he had a cardboard box, handed it to me and showed me the flag,” Akin said. “He said this is my appreciation for what I did. This flag was flown in Afghanistan, and I just want to say thank you for the kindness you extended to me.

“It’s probably one of the most feel-good things I've had anybody do for me in a long time.”

Akin’s plan is to hoist and fly the flag on Independence Day July 4 at his Bimmer Works shop, since he wasn’t able to get his standard repaired in time for Memorial Day in late May or Flag Day today.

Although he didn’t serve – he was of military draft age mostly in peace time just as the Vietnam War ended – Akin said he has paid for dinner for families he’s seen in restaurants after a loved one returned from deployment.

“I have the utmost respect for them … That's the way I feel about it – they’re doing me a favor,” Akin said. “Sometimes they're thanking me, and I’m saying I’m the one who should thank you.”

Akin’s son actually planned for a military career, participated in Junior ROTC and Civil Air Patrol, and got an Air Force scholarship out of Brentwood High School. But he blew out his knee playing flag football at the University of Tennessee and then wasn’t able to serve.

Varayon, in the 4th Brigade Combat Team of the 101st Airborne, also showed the proper way to fold the flag to Akin, who had once performed a flag-folding ceremony at his father-in-law’s funeral.

The Certificate of the Combat Flag, accompanied by a photo of the unit, says it is presented to Allen Akin “for steadfast support, loyalty, and dedication.” It was flown on March 22 during combat operations in West Taktika Afghanistan by Charlie Company "Gunfighters," IF Red Currahee, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry, over Forward Operating Base Kushamond.

Varayon, a member of the Army for four years, was basically second in command as executive officer for that company that ran the base. He says every soldier has the opportunity to fly a flag at one of the bases, and can order flags.

“I think he was very surprised; he told me that it kind of caught him off guard,” Varayon said. “Obviously after I had gotten back from the wedding, I got back busy to work and then had deployment.

“It had been almost two years since I saw him again. I never again had a way to thank him. It had always been on the back of mind. I thought about sending a Christmas card. How could I ever repay him? … I just wanted to do something that meant something to him.”

Akin admitted he didn’t like to get up early, but opened up his home to his customer when Varayon planned to take a cab to a hotel by the airport. “I said you’ll do no such thing, you can stay at my house,” Akin said. “He said I get to be there at 6 o’clock in the morning. I don't like to get up early, but i didn't see any reason why I shouldn’t.”

Since giving Akin the combat flag, northern Virginia native Varayon has also brought his parents by the Brentwood shop for an introduction.

“I told them if folks wonder what kind of son you have, what little I know of him, you did very well,” Akin said.