European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 20, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse Page 4 cd ,1. A. A. A its so v r h Quot Al i 7 a a l a a Liy 7?<�?T"�?�>> i re t Fiat of to .1 it cd h 1 1 Al a a to Quot .-5 a a a a ,. To if ii a a it via a a 1 it a us a a a a in a a y a a �?~ta1�?T 1 a a of Quot a a a a a a. Quot a Ltd a. R a a a a a a a a a r. \ i i. A a. A a a a. A its hard to be a Good sport about sports Jack Loudermilk 1 it a ii Fifiel columnist a Jfe after Many years of embarrassment and suffering i have concluded that there a no such thing As Quot the perfect my Quot perfect sport Quot in a referring to any physical activity that allows one to jump right in from Day one and perform with dignity. I be tried everything and so far have been humbled by them All. Take downhill skiing. I made my first Quot stand Quot on skis in 1980 while stationed at fort Wainwright Alaska liven after several lessons 1 continued to rely on Gravity and friction throw in a Little nose blowing to Slop me at or near the lift line. Occasionally i even used a few surprised and unwilling fellow skiers to keep me from making it All the Way to the parking lot fortunately i never seriously Hurt anyone. Nine years later i was still trying to find my legs on skis this time at a Quality resort in Central Arizona. I tried a Little a i refuse Loback Down courage Quot to control my fear. My the end of the second Day i was finally showing Progress. I missed two other skiers standing in line and ran into a guide rope. One kid Felt sorry for me and tossed me a Quarter while i was struggling to get up. I also tried Cross country skiing once. 1 was told it would be As easy As walking. However i done to remember Ever being at a dead Stop in my Low quarters and failing Flat on my face. And then there was basketball. Basketball Wasny to much of a problem in school. 1 simply tried out for the team and simply did t make it. Something to do with not being Able to dribble and walk or run at the same time. I could t shoot either. But not being one to give up j was volunteered last year to play in fort Hua Chuca s �?oover-30�?� league. 1 still had trouble dribbling but i actually scored a couple of Points. I ended the season Early however with a sprained ankle. The doctors could t determine whether anything was broken because a rays penetrate the severe scar tissue 1 had from an earlier injury. I had Lorn some ligaments chasing a Frise cd in 1981. Baseball was another one of those sports that did no to give me much trouble. If the Ball was coming too fast i just got out of the Way. But coaches frown on that even in the Little league. Again in Alaska trying out for an army softball team this time i did no to make it through practice. I started by pulling a leg muscle reaching Loo hard for a line drive. The coach was Nice enough to let me pitch after that but another line drive caught me in the Middle f j Chest. I showed off my Tattoo for three Days. As for horseback Riding. I have yet to win an argument with one of those creatures. You would think that bicycles unlike horses Are Safe because you have More control Over your Speed and direction. Not so. There a nothing like having your life Flash before your eyes while screaming downhill at 60 Mph heading straight at a Cyclone Fence. Bowling is safer than horses and bicycles but you Trade physical pain for embarrassment. Balls in the Gutter. Missing easy spares. And there a nothing like walking in on league Day being handed a Patch for a previous 245 game and then starting the night with a 119. Everybody knows the 245 was just Luck. Now in Turkey in a trying to play volleyball. I Haven t Hurt myself or anyone else so i can to understand Why no one on my team will Tell me when they re going to hold practice. 1 could go on talking about the welts from racquetball never getting Oft the Bench the one and Only time my parents came to watch my High school football team or having my Tennis instructor quit within the first 15 minutes of my first lesson. I could but i wont. And in a certainly not going to say anything about How cleaning a Rifle caused me to spend iwo Days in a Hospital. That a too embarrassing. So Why done to i just give up and Settle for being a Couch potato or a bookworm i m afraid the boredom would kill me. Sgt 1 St class Jack Loudermilk is Public affairs supervisor for army Field station Synop our guest the Sunda y Magazine is setting aside space for guest columnists. If you have encountered anything amusing confusing frustrating or fascinating about Lije in Europe in the military or in general wed like to hear about it. This is not a space for gripes or letters to the editor Don v expect an official answer just loads of response from your friends. So sum up your thoughts in 500 words or less and Send them to be our guest sunday Magazine the stars and stripes Apo 09211. Be sure to include a Telephone number where you can be reached during the about everyone has a pair or two of athletic shoes. What a your favorite Brand Flisa Weaver works for doughnut concessionaire at Mainz Kastel and lives in Wiesbaden West Germany nikes Are the Best. I hey Wear Good and will outlast Reebok. 1 Wear Tennis shoes with almost anything. Because they re comfortable. Sgt. Larry Beach assigned to air Force Hospital in Wiesbaden West Germany i done to buy any particular Brand whatever is available and fits is Fine. Capt. Lena r. Airoldi assistant charge nurse at air Force Hospital in Wiesbaden West Germany i love Mem. 1 like the Nike air cushioned High tops. They re Good for racquetball weightlifting and aerobics classes. They Cost about $80, sgt. Jeffrey Slack Echo co 12 engr in Derheim West Germany my Brand is Reebok i buy them because they last a Long time. Julia Espinoza family member whose husband is stationed at Raf Mildenhall England in a not particular. I Wear the cheapest ones that Are in the by and whichever one is there in my size. Sunda May 20, m compiled by stars and stripes staff
