Classic American West Coast Boxing

[dagosd2000]

THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON

"I knew him as Charlie Moon."
"No one called him Manson?,"asked Ron the math teacher.
"No.He was called Charlie Moon."
I was sitting in my easy chair inside my classrom during lunch. John and Ron had dropped in. Olga was sitting near my shoulder. The other teachers wanted to learn about Charlie "Moon" Manson.Or at least how I had gotten to know him.
"Was he crazy then?"asked John.
"At the time we were all crazy. Maybe acting crazy. But what's the difference with being crazy or acting crazy?"

I knew some friends who lived along the coast in Santa Barbara. It was a time of change. As long as you were changing you were on the edge of things. It was a time of no limits. Everything was OK to do. No one was afraid of not trying something.
"How did you get to know him?"asked Ron.
"When the sun was going down,we'd all go down along the beach. It was a Mecca for the lost. People lived inside the caves. It was all shadowy then. Manson blended in with everyone else. There were so many people then.One night I wandered over to his group.They were sitting around a fire ring."
"What did he say to you?"
"He asked me if I had any marijuana."
"What did you say?"
"I said I didn't have any. I could tell he didn't want me around him and his followers."
"How could you tell?"
"His look. He wanted girls around him. I was the least of his type."
"So what did you do?"
"I sat around with his little group. The girls interested me,but I could tell that he had them under his spell."
"Did he ever talk about killing anybody?"
"No. At the time that never entered my mind. He was really nobody except to the people around him."
"So why did you stick around?"
"Like I said. There were plenty of girls around and they thought nothing of doing it right then and there in front of everyone."
Olga started to laugh.
"Besides,"I said."Half the time everyone was running around without any clothes on anyway."
Olga was trying to contain her laughing. She was squirming in her chair looking at the floor.
"It went on like that all week,"I said. "It was all pretty dark. You did what you felt like doing."
"Sounds like it was pretty crazy,"said John.
"Yeah.Looking back,it was pretty crazy alright."

[kikibalt]

In 1968 some friends and I run into Charles Manson and some of his girls in Death Valley, they were acting like a bunch of nuts, toking and drinking....

[kikibalt]

Hollenbeck Preps for Holiday Event

December 3, 2009 by Michele Chong

Fundraiser luncheon kicks off Annual Toy Giveaway!
The “Miracle on 1st Street” is a community event that has been providing thousands of at-risk youth in the East L.A. and Boyle Heights neighborhoods a chance for a better Christmas with a toy giveaway, games, entertainment and more at the historic Hollenbeck Gym in Los Angeles. Their gym has been a mainstay in the local boxing community for decades, and can even boast of two Olympic Gold Medalists: Paul Gonzales and the “Golden Boy” himself, Oscar De La Hoya. The Hollenbeck Boxing Club also hosts amateur shows at the gym throughout the year.

In association with the Hollenbeck Youth Center, Inner-City Games Los Angeles (ICGLA) and the Oscar De La Hoya Foundation, this annual toy giveaway event offers many families a relief from the recession as the community, sponsors, and business leaders all work together to give assistance during the holidays. At their past affairs, I have seen fighters Israel Vazquez, Daniel Ponce de Leon, Timothy Bradley, Bobby Chacon, NBA superstar Kobe Bryant, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, actor Tom Arnold and others all playing “Santa’s elves” while passing out toys to the never-ending line of kids.

At a special fundraising luncheon held yesterday afternoon, the upcoming toy drive got a big kick-off reception as President and CEO Daniel L. Hernandez hosted the 1st Annual Law Enforcement Luncheon to honor anti-terrorism units while raising funds for the children’s event. From the VIP dais, it was announced by emcee Steve Simonian that “all proceeds go directly to the toy drive” scheduled for later this month. Outside of the ballroom, a silent auction was also featured during the fundraiser.

Checking out the treasures to bid on, I saw Manny Pacquiao autographed boxing gloves, Muhammad Ali signed photos, Lakers jerseys, footballs, helmets and more all displayed and ready for bids. An item that got the most attention was a signed photo by golfer Tiger Woods. There weren’t too many bids on this pic, but there were jokes a plenty. Many said that they’d rather bid on the superstar’s golf club that was used by wife, Elin! That would surely be a priceless item.

While in the lobby entrance in the Cathedral Plaza in downtown L.A, I had time to visit with officers John Long and Tom Davoren from the bomb squad’s K-9 unit. Long’s dog is named Llaura and Davoren’s canine is Shadow. The two explain that the animals live with the officers and become part of the family. Long is also the proud owner of a retired dog, Coby. He also explains that whenever you see an additional letter before the dog’s name, it stands for the 911 victim they were named after. So after she graduated from the force’s puppy program, his canine, Laura, was christened “Llaura” to honor the woman who died in the 911 tragedy. These anti-terrorist dogs continue to honor those whose lives were lost in the 911 attacks, and the victim’s families can also stay connected through the canine’s activities.

Heading into the luncheon, I ran into popular Hot 92.3 radio DJ Damon Knight. The music director of Hot, which plays old school and R&B tunes, is also the host of the “Red Hot Sports Report.” He told us that he wants to start boxing as a way to stay in shape. Knight is also a huge supporter of the Hollenbeck toy giveaway. He said all the toys from their own Hot 92.3 toy drive will be taken down to the Hollenbeck gym as well, and the station will be doing a radio broadcast onsite during the Christmas event.

Since Danny Hernandez and Hollenbeck’s motto is “All Kids are a Lifetime Investment,” there were also several youngsters sprinkled in the crowd. The Hollenbeck Youth Center has various after-school programs with both athletic and educational programs open kids as an alternative from gangs, drugs and street life. The center has a computer lab and music programs too. In the sports programs, many youth members from their boxing, basketball, karate and swimming teams were in attendance, all enjoying the buffet lunch.

Jose “Nati” Correa, Program Director, was gathering his group of kids who were volunteering their time by assisting with the awards (medals, crystal awards, and special certificates of appreciation) given out during the luncheon. Nati said it’s been a busy time for Hollenbeck; they just had a Thanksgiving event with 500 turkeys handed out to needy families. He also said that boxing will remain a big focus at their gym and they are looking forward to 2010.

One of the loyal Hollenbeck Youth Center members, Mariana Gonzales, age 14, led the audience in the flag salute to begin the festivities. Mariana was heralded as their 2007 “Kid of the Year” for her contributions to the organization and continues to achieve through their programs. Just like this teenager, other kids continue to stay involved with Hollenbeck even as adults.

Maria Mendoza, Administrative Executive for Hollenbeck, is one example of how the program benefited her during her childhood, as well as her future as an adult. “I was involved in volleyball as a youth and was also an ambassador too,” the friendly Mendoza explains. “I was always involved, and my uncle also works at Hollenbeck.” She says it’s been a very rewarding experience and is happy to be part of the community.

As the guests enjoyed their meals at this appreciation luncheon, new Leadership Council members were sworn in. A long blue line of anti-terrorist officers were then introduced to the audience to receive their honors.

New Chief of Police Charles Beck was also introduced and accepted an award for L.A. City Attorney Carmen Trutanich, who sent his regrets due to illness. The new chief has only been on the job for two weeks but has already been making an impact in the city. Beck took time to praise the Hollenbeck Police Business Council by saying he admires the way they “connect with the kids and the community.”

Founded in 1997 by Hernandez, the Hollenbeck Police Business Council is supported by various businesses, sponsors, and volunteers. At the podium, Hernandez thanked Chief Beck, D.A. Cooley, community advisors, and all of his committees for their efforts. Danny, a recipient of the prestigious Silver Star medal for his acts of heroism during his Vietnam tour of duty with Operation Utah, said he is especially proud to recognize those who choose to protect and serve.

Danny’s wife, Beatrice, serves as Executive Director of Inner-City Games L.A. (ICGLA). Their daughter, Priscilla, Vice President of Hollenbeck Youth Center, is also event Co-Chair (along with Judge Scott Millington) of their “Miracle on 1st Street” holiday event.

L.A. County District Attorney Steve Cooley was also a special guest on the dais. “Many of my staff enthusiastically support the youth center and their activities,” he commented. “The Hollenbeck Youth Center offers great crime prevention programs. Danny, you do a great job and we’re proud to be part of your team!”

The third-term D.A. also showed his appreciation in adding, “Thank you to all the contributors–you really make a difference. The business community has shown their support in providing 5,000 kids a real Christmas.”

And that’s what the focus of this inaugural awards luncheon was really about–offering needy kids a helping hand.

Representing L.A.’s finest was a sea of men (and women) in blue, all lending their support to Danny Hernandez, the Hollenbeck Youth Center and the Police Business Council to ensure that thousands of at-risk children will be enjoying a brighter holiday season!

[dagosd2000]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfkXMFUuWm8

Danny Green vs. Roy Jones This was yesterday

[dagosd2000]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isfu_kP7inc

Good Night My Love (A title dedicated to Roy Jones)

Jesse Belvin


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AWLIb3c3Zw

Guess Who

Jesse Belvin

[dagosd2000]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoE8n8q1AnI

Dead End

Bogart and The Dead End Kids

They can put this inside my coffin when I kick the bucket. The music. The set. Bogey might be a guy to worry about. But those kids? Compared to what's out there today when it comes to gangs...Hey,I've got 3 cents. Maybe they'll let me join.

[kikibalt]

Mike LeBell

Wrestling promoter

Mike LeBell, 79, a longtime and highly successful promoter of wrestling at the Olympic Auditorium, died Nov. 24 at his Los Angeles home. He had cancer, said Jeff Walton, a former wrestling publicist.

In 1971, LeBell became one of the first North American wrestling promoters to use closed-circuit television to broadcast sold-out matches when he aired a live faceoff at the Olympic between Don Carson and John Tolos at two downtown theaters.

"These people live and die wrestling," LeBell told The Times after his initial closed-circuit broadcast sold out. "If we told them there was going to be wrestling at 4 o'clock in the morning, they'd be here."

From the mid-1960s until 1982, LeBell promoted wrestling cards at the Olympic, his showcase arena. He also staged wrestling matches at other Southern California venues.

His mother, Aileen Eaton, was the boxing promoter at the Olympic from 1942 to 1980. His stepfather, Carl Eaton, was also a major boxing promoter. His brother, Gene, wrestled and is a Hollywood stuntman.

A Los Angeles native, LeBell was born in 1930, one of two sons of Maurice LeBell, an osteopath who died in 1941 after a swimming accident.

After graduating from USC, Mike LeBell became the box office manager and treasurer for his mother at the Olympic.

Her weekly boxing shows grossed close to $1 million a year in the late 1960s, and her wrestling shows, directed by LeBell, did "even better," Sports Illustrated reported in 1967.

Mike LeBell does a TV spot for wrestling circa
1974 at the Olympic Auditorium. (Theo Ehret)

[kikibalt]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoE8n8q1AnI

Dead End

Bogart and The Dead End Kids

They can put this inside my coffin when I kick the bucket. The music. The set. Bogey might be a guy to worry about. But those kids? Compared to what's out there today when it comes to gangs...Hey,I've got 3 cents. Maybe they'll let me join.

Kinder & smipler times those years were. Glad I was born when I was, as I was lucky to have grown up in those kinder & smipler times. My time may be short, but I seen alot, done alot, had a good life, good wife and family, what more can a man ask for?

[dagosd2000]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoE8n8q1AnI

Dead End

Bogart and The Dead End Kids

They can put this inside my coffin when I kick the bucket. The music. The set. Bogey might be a guy to worry about. But those kids? Compared to what's out there today when it comes to gangs...Hey,I've got 3 cents. Maybe they'll let me join.

Kinder & smipler times those years were. Glad I was born when I was, as I was lucky to have grown up in those kinder & smipler times. My time may be short, but I seen alot, done alot, had a good life, good wife and family, what more can a man ask for?

Good wife and family is the core of my existence too. I know people who want no part of that.They want to be alone.Sometimes I envy them because they have nothing invested. Thus nothing to lose.Bottom line with me though is I don't want nothing.

[kikibalt]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoE8n8q1AnI

Dead End

Bogart and The Dead End Kids

They can put this inside my coffin when I kick the bucket. The music. The set. Bogey might be a guy to worry about. But those kids? Compared to what's out there today when it comes to gangs...Hey,I've got 3 cents. Maybe they'll let me join.

Kinder & smipler times those years were. Glad I was born when I was, as I was lucky to have grown up in those kinder & smipler times. My time may be short, but I seen alot, done alot, had a good life, good wife and family, what more can a man ask for?

Good wife and family is the core of my existence too. I know people who want no part of that.They want to be alone.Sometimes I envy them because they have nothing invested. Thus nothing to lose.Bottom line with me though is I don't want nothing.

You're right, Rog, in that some people prefer to be along, not me!, I love having my family around me, some times they can be a pain in the ass, and so can we, but in the end its all love and you can be sure that we're there for each other....

[dagosd2000]

Frank
How about these"adults" that have a party and don't want kids around.I tell these "adults" to grow up and stop acting like children. No kids. No party.No fun.

[kikibalt]

Frank
How about these"adults" that have a party and don't want kids around.I tell these "adults" to grow up and stop acting like children. No kids. No party.No fun.

Rog...Those are the parties I like to stay away from, of course when I was a young man I did go to some "adult" parties, but as I got older thinks change, I guess as a person gets older you mellow and you see things in a different light, for the better I hope....

[Expug]

You're right Rick.
And all Mothers do worry thats for sure.Its part of their DNA I guess.
Having a son who is a fighter must not be real easy on the nerves either.
My Mother hated it big time.

Alls going ok in Chicago. But, I have an appointment Friday morning with a knee specialist. It hasnt been feeling good at all since that horse threw me and then fell on it last August.
Maybe a fracture , a meniscus tear, I dont know but the pain is getting worse and something needs tending to.
I held off as long as I could but my wife is getting pissed that Ive been trying to ignore it. But, four months is a little long to blow it off. Walkings become an adventure.

Bad Knees & Stable Horses . . .

Brian . . . Don't wait to take care of that. I wish you the best treatment and recovery and I'm glad you are ready to see a doctor.
We need our wheels, and especially so a man of your profession and passion.
My friend Bob Seagren, the former Olympic pole vaulter, hurt his knee when tossed from a horse in summer of 1971.
This was just one year prior to the 1972 Games in Munich. We were riding horses with our wives.
Bob's wife, Kam, had been a competitive equestrian since childhood and we all were horseback riding on some property I had bought in Tehachappi.
Seagren was one of the greatest all-round ahthletes of the era but he didn't know anything about horses.
As we headed back to the stable (these were stable horses from a nearby ranch) Bob starts to gallop his horse, and then let him run.
Bob thought he was controlling the horse, but in reality, the horse was running away with him, anxious to get back the horse ran all out back to the barn.
When they reached the gate to the property, the horse suddenly made a left turn into the gate, Seagren's body flew off the horse and rolled several times in a cloud of dust.
When the dust settled Seagren was not only hurt, but more embarrassed.
As we rode up on him he pulled himself up and made a feeble smile, revealing dirt on his teeth.
A few of the wrangler's sitting on the porch found the whole thing amusing. "Son, you gotta turn with the horse!"
Of course, we were all laughing. Bob limped around for a week then went to a great sports surgeon who operated on his knee.
It was after he recovered and began to train again for the U.S. Olympic trials that I, for the first time ever, was able to out run Bob when we did roadwork together.
Talk about a competitor, Bob was so frustrated having me leave him in the dust, he pushed himself. When we'd hit a hill, I'd hear his knee snapping as he ran up it.
In short time, Seagren was passing me by again on the road and four months later, he shattered the World record in the pole vault for the tenth time.
The record of 18'1", was broken by an amazing five inches to 18'6".
Bob was only 25, at the time, but the point is he was able to recover fully from the knee injury.
A year after the Olympics, he was the first athlete to win ABC's "Superstars" in 1973.
You always hear the horror stories, but just get it looked at and do what you must. Take care, Pug!


-Rick

Rick, thanks for that great story about Bob Seagren. I remember him well. A truly great athlete.I also remember his success in The SuperStars competition.
Your kind words are encouraging Rick. You are a pal.
The Doctor called me this morning and changed my visit to Mon. at 430. Its frustrating , but what the heck? something important must have come up and I foolishly waited this long anyway...

[Expug]

Mike LeBell

Wrestling promoter

Mike LeBell, 79, a longtime and highly successful promoter of wrestling at the Olympic Auditorium, died Nov. 24 at his Los Angeles home. He had cancer, said Jeff Walton, a former wrestling publicist.

In 1971, LeBell became one of the first North American wrestling promoters to use closed-circuit television to broadcast sold-out matches when he aired a live faceoff at the Olympic between Don Carson and John Tolos at two downtown theaters.

"These people live and die wrestling," LeBell told The Times after his initial closed-circuit broadcast sold out. "If we told them there was going to be wrestling at 4 o'clock in the morning, they'd be here."

From the mid-1960s until 1982, LeBell promoted wrestling cards at the Olympic, his showcase arena. He also staged wrestling matches at other Southern California venues.

His mother, Aileen Eaton, was the boxing promoter at the Olympic from 1942 to 1980. His stepfather, Carl Eaton, was also a major boxing promoter. His brother, Gene, wrestled and is a Hollywood stuntman.

A Los Angeles native, LeBell was born in 1930, one of two sons of Maurice LeBell, an osteopath who died in 1941 after a swimming accident.

After graduating from USC, Mike LeBell became the box office manager and treasurer for his mother at the Olympic.

Her weekly boxing shows grossed close to $1 million a year in the late 1960s, and her wrestling shows, directed by LeBell, did "even better," Sports Illustrated reported in 1967.

Mike LeBell does a TV spot for wrestling circa
1974 at the Olympic Auditorium. (Theo Ehret)

Genes brother Mike.
Ive read that they were as different as night and day.

[kikibalt]

Mike LeBell

Wrestling promoter

Mike LeBell, 79, a longtime and highly successful promoter of wrestling at the Olympic Auditorium, died Nov. 24 at his Los Angeles home. He had cancer, said Jeff Walton, a former wrestling publicist.

In 1971, LeBell became one of the first North American wrestling promoters to use closed-circuit television to broadcast sold-out matches when he aired a live faceoff at the Olympic between Don Carson and John Tolos at two downtown theaters.

"These people live and die wrestling," LeBell told The Times after his initial closed-circuit broadcast sold out. "If we told them there was going to be wrestling at 4 o'clock in the morning, they'd be here."

From the mid-1960s until 1982, LeBell promoted wrestling cards at the Olympic, his showcase arena. He also staged wrestling matches at other Southern California venues.

His mother, Aileen Eaton, was the boxing promoter at the Olympic from 1942 to 1980. His stepfather, Carl Eaton, was also a major boxing promoter. His brother, Gene, wrestled and is a Hollywood stuntman.

A Los Angeles native, LeBell was born in 1930, one of two sons of Maurice LeBell, an osteopath who died in 1941 after a swimming accident.

After graduating from USC, Mike LeBell became the box office manager and treasurer for his mother at the Olympic.

Her weekly boxing shows grossed close to $1 million a year in the late 1960s, and her wrestling shows, directed by LeBell, did "even better," Sports Illustrated reported in 1967.

Mike LeBell does a TV spot for wrestling circa
1974 at the Olympic Auditorium. (Theo Ehret)

Genes brother Mike.
Ive read that they were as different as night and day.

Yes!, and they hated each other, didn't talk to each other for years either, some years back the Golden State Boxer's Association was honoring their mother, Aileen Eaton, when Gene was invited to the luncheon, he said "if that ass-hole Mike is going to be there, I wouldn't be there", well neither one showed up.....

[kikibalt]

Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather Jr. mega-fight is on, reports say

The news of a March 13 bout catches Pacquiao's trainer, Freddie Roach, by surprise, but he says 'we'll be ready.'

By Lance Pugmire

December 4, 2009

Reports today that a mega-fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. will go ahead on March 13 -- after the Filipino star agreed to a proposal by his promoter -- caught some by surprise, including Pacquiao's trainer, Freddie Roach.

"We're happy it could be happening, but I'm surprised it's happened so quick," Roach told The Times today from Britain, where he's preparing another of his boxers for a bout.

The man who knows better than anyone where things stand on a possible Pacquiao-Mayweather fight, Pacquiao's promoter, Bob Arum, was not available for comment this morning.

Pacquiao's U.S. business advisor, Michael Koncz, told the Associated Press today that Arum presented "what he thought was the best proposal he can bring" during a two-hour breakfast meeting with Pacquiao in Manila.

"Manny has some additional requirements, requests, which Arum didn't think was a problem," Koncz told the AP "The requests of Manny were so realistic that Arum doesn't feel it's a problem, and it's pretty much a done deal."

He said the contract still needs "fine tuning," declining to elaborate. "We all believe that it will be done," Koncz said.

Roach is already thinking of the matchup between the two star welterweights. "It'll be a very tactical fight; we'll have to be smart because Floyd's such a good counter-puncher," he said. "I don't think Floyd can hurt us, though, so we can be aggressive in the right spots."

Koncz, who is in charge of Pacquiao's boxing promotion company in Nevada, said Pacquiao is "very comfortable" with the date.

In an interview with a television network in the Philippines, Pacquiao said, "March 13 is OK."

Roach said earlier this week that he thought March 13 was too soon for the fight, after Pacquiao suffered an injured right ear drum in his 12th-round technical knockout victory over Miguel Cotto on Nov. 14.

"I also thought they'd want more time to promote it, but if they can do it then, we'll be ready," said Roach, who plans to speak with Arum and Pacquiao when he returns to his Wild Card Gym in Hollywood on Monday. "Arum knows what he's doing.

"I'd want to start training camp with Manny by Jan. 1."

Pacquiao has previously said he didn't think the deal would get done, and he chided Mayweather for depriving the fans of action and caring most about lucrative paydays. "The difference between Floyd and others I have fought is that Floyd makes a lot of trash talk that should not be imitated by young people," Pacquiao told the Filipino television network.

A possible showdown between the unbeaten Mayweather (40-0) and the dynamic Pacquiao (50-3-2) has generated great interest in the sporting world.

Pacquiao is poised to capture his second straight "fighter of the year" honor, supplanting Mayweather as the man considered the world's best pound-for-pound fighter after Mayweather took an extended break after knocking out Ricky Hatton in December 2007.

Pacquiao ended the career of Oscar De La Hoya last year, he knocked out Hatton in the second round in May, then impressively battered Cotto in a bout that generated 1.25 million pay-per-view buys.

Mayweather-Pacquiao is expected to challenge the record 2.4 million buys set by Mayweather-De La Hoya in May 2007. Venues including Jerry Jones' Cowboys Stadium in Texas, a 30,000-seat outdoor site constructed by hotel magnate Steve Wynn in Las Vegas and the MGM Grand in Las Vegas are reportedly bidding to host the super-fight.

[email protected]

[kikibalt]

Looks like our once mighty thread is wilting on the vine, I guess that old saying "All good thing must come to an end" is true....

[dagosd2000]

Looks like our once mighty thread is wilting on the vine, I guess that old saying "All good thing must come to an end" is true....

Frank
It's not wilting on the vine. It's just aging more graciously. We've seemed to have lost a couple of contributors,but they may come back. We might see some new ones.I think what keeps the thread going is that we come up with freash ideas and don't go back and forth arguing with each other about something.It's the holidays. Randy was sick. Brian is getting an operation on his knee . Rick told me he may be in the process of moving to another part of town.Dan,I know, looks at the thread everyday. I'm still here. I can't imagine that we wouldn't talk to each other on the thread anymore.

[dagosd2000]

Dedicated to Frank Baltazar

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0mHOPCvWIs

Jingle Bells(dig Ernie Caceres singing)
Glenn Miller

[dagosd2000]

THE BAND AID CONCESSION

Me and my Dad would go at it a lot. I could never measure up to him. He wanted me to get into politics when I was younger. My mother knew what that meant. I never gave it a thought. My Father was so dynamic that when he was in a room full of people I couldn't talk. No use trying to add anything. I didn't want to compete. He would say things to people about me that were exagerrations. Always good things,but exagerrations.

However ,towards the end,when I could see that his body was giving out ,we got closer.He was listening more to his Glenn Miller music. I noticed that his memories drifted to his time in the Marine Corps.There were fewer and fewer mob stories. But my Father didn't go into any gory details of fighting in the Pacific. Most of the stories were humorous stories about boot camp. The friends he made. I found later a Christmas card that said "Merry Christmas Okinawa 1945." Inside were the names and addresses of his buddies. They were from all over.

When my father died,I looked up one of those Marine buddies. The guy's name was Dick Duffy. He lived in La Jolla. Everyone called him "Duffy." I asked Duffy about my Dad's experiences in the Pacific. Duffy told me that my Father was his"bodyguard." I guess Duffy wasn't a big guy and the others would try to pick on him. My Dad never let that happen.

My Dad was older than the others. He was a 28 year old boot. The other Marines were mostly in their teens. Duffy told me about how my Dad shot a Jap sniper who had Duffy in his crosshairs. How my Dad killed a Jap soldier with his bare hands and his K Bar knife who was raping an Okinawan girl.The girl's family bestowed my dad with many gifts including a gold spun obi sash.

After Okinawa was secured,the Marines weren't that joyfull. They were expecting to invade mainland Japan next. It took 3 months to win Okinawa.!2,000 Marines had lost their lives. Japan looked to be a mortal challenge.

Sitting with my Dad on Okinawa,Duffy looked at him and asked him what he thought.
"Duff.All I can tell you is I wish I could have had the Band Aid Concession on this island."

[Expug]

Looks like our once mighty thread is wilting on the vine, I guess that old saying "All good thing must come to an end" is true....

Frank
It's not wilting on the vine. It's just aging more graciously. We've seemed to have lost a couple of contributors,but they may come back. We might see some new ones.I think what keeps the thread going is that we come up with freash ideas and don't go back and forth arguing with each other about something.It's the holidays. Randy was sick. Brian is getting an operation on his knee . Rick told me he may be in the process of moving to another part of town.Dan,I know, looks at the thread everyday. I'm still here. I can't imagine that we wouldn't talk to each other on the thread anymore.

Frank, Rog is right.Its aging very graciously.
The threads still going strong. Im on here reading the great contributions all the time.
Im sure many many others are also. Solid Friendships have been made here.

[dagosd2000]

AGING GRACIOUSLY

After making a couple of early posts and went for my morning constitutional. Just came back. Made a hot tea.Sweating a little. I'm on the keyboard.

With the gimpy hip, I'm down to walking. I go ,usually,for a walk around the small shopping center near where I live. As I was passing the Home Town Buffet.,I saw an old guy wearing the Red And Yellow Cap. He was struggling to put his walker in the back of the car. A woman with a page boy cut reddish hair was watching him. She was around my age.

I stopped my walk.
"My Dad was a Marine too,"I said to him."He was at Okinawa and Pelieau."
The old timer looked up bracing himself on the walker.He studied me.
"I was Ist Division.Guadacanal through Okinawa."
My lips started to quiver.
"My Dad was Ist Division. 5 Corps,"I said stumbling over my my words.
"Yeah,"the old man said.
I gave him a quick thumbs up and shook his hand. I looked at the woman. She was smiling warmly at me.

I continued my walk around the shopping center. About half way down the parking lot I looked back over my shoulder. The red headed woman was looking at me smiling still.

[dagosd2000]

Self Portrait

[Rick Farris]

Looks like our once mighty thread is wilting on the vine, I guess that old saying "All good thing must come to an end" is true....

Frank
It's not wilting on the vine. It's just aging more graciously. We've seemed to have lost a couple of contributors,but they may come back. We might see some new ones.I think what keeps the thread going is that we come up with freash ideas and don't go back and forth arguing with each other about something.It's the holidays. Randy was sick. Brian is getting an operation on his knee . Rick told me he may be in the process of moving to another part of town.Dan,I know, looks at the thread everyday. I'm still here. I can't imagine that we wouldn't talk to each other on the thread anymore.

Frank, Rog is right.Its aging very graciously.
The threads still going strong. Im on here reading the great contributions all the time.
Im sure many many others are also. Solid Friendships have been made here.

I'm not going anywhere! Damn, this is my home away from home. You guys are my valued friends, a family of sorts. We will all have times when we are absent, work, responsibilites, etc. Monica and I were looking around but are too happy living where we are for the moment, she knows how important our group is. She thinks all of your are special and she is right. This is more than a thread. I've been working 15 hours a day the past few weeks so I just check in when I can. I still have ots of photos, etc.


-Rick

[Randyman]

Looks like our once mighty thread is wilting on the vine, I guess that old saying "All good thing must come to an end" is true....

For my part, I apologize for not being on as often as I would like. Between work lately and being sick, it's just been difficult but this site is a refuge for me. Logging on to "West Coast Boxing" and and talking with you guys has become part of my life now. We are of like minds. We all love boxing, the fighters and the way it used to be. I look forward to the times that we get together on line and in person. There is no other site like this on the internet. This is Boxing 101.

Like anything in life, things slow down but I don't think it's dying. From time to time anyone and everyone has to attend to life. We all share a common bond and a varied experience. Who else will listen to us and understand us? In a large way and in a trivial way we are recording the history of boxing , as we saw it and as we remember it, on these pages. Some more than others but we all have something to offer but more importantly we all respect each other and the sport of boxing.

Keep on writing and sharing.
Randy

Randy