European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - March 24, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                The Bowling shirt a a True . Fashion statement p Rob Staggenborg staff writer a a my Here s something about a snazzy bowl i ing shirt that says a lot about a person. I i just Haven to figured out what it is. A Bowling shirt in some Corners of our Galaxy is As much a fashion statement As Lycra spandex or genuine nauga Hyde leather. I have to admit that i have never owned or have Ever desired to own a Bowling shirt. My. Loss huh my father owned a Bowling shirt. As a matter of fact the Bowling shirt has always held a place of prominence in my family. My Grandfather used to sport his polyester Pullover to family get to gathers. We laughed. My dad however never did. To him Bowling shirt seemed to mean everything. Head threaten when provoked by shrill screams from my siblings and me to Wear his. Bowling shirt to our graduations birthday parties to meet our dates Etc. A True american my dad is. Over Here where they pc Golc instead of bowl i Felt i was missing something j longed for a piece. Of Home. What a More american than a Bowling shirt besides Apple pie baseball and . A a a a. A a a a a \ a. A. I could have waited a few millenniums longer but to and behold i was blessed with the Opportunity to write a Story about Fine Young Macri cans in action last summer. Yep a three Day assignment to the Portal of Bowling luxury a Hanau s Hessen bowl a to cover the Young american Bowling Alliance european championships. I got the assignment after the editor scoured our resumes Long and hard and All of us sports writers were interviewed for the assignment. A give it to Rob Quot my colleagues All said. I got it. It was great. The unique fashions of the Bowling world were displayed in a manner that would make any respectable parisian fashion consultant proud. Or gag a Good Bowling shirt is As unique As a persons big toe. There arc red ones with Quot the Bat men emblazoned across the Back. There Are the Rowic cat of shirts that the shape strikers wore. Can to forget a bout the feared vog Chweh Black and Silver. Of  Bowling shirt in itself is a Symbol of the Long hours and blisters cigarette Burns and Beer spills of every Bowler who a tossed a customized Ball Down the waxed lanes of Bowling history. The Bowling shirt symbolizes the Breed a person must be to be a successful Bowler. A Good no a Superior Bowler must follow these prescribed guidelines of Bowling excellence to earn True Bowler respect. These include the following set in Stone rules. 1. The bowlers must complain about Bowling a absence As a sport in the olympics in every possible conversation. 2. They must hang out at the Bowling Center to gain helpful hints that will improve on their 167 averages. 3. They must pass through secret Bowler initiation rituals. Kids done to try this at Home 4. They must own at least three one for each league night Bowling shirts. These can be any a one of the three Basic colors red Black or yellow pea Green May be substituted for yellow. Not just anyone can Wear a Bowling shirt. I liken the polyester Dud to coveted airborne wings. Anyone can buy them. A True Bowler must earn them. My dad earned his shirt. He bowled like a Bat out of hell reciting the Low guttural noise that symbolizes the secret greeting of a Bowler. It goes something like this two bowlers upon meeting will face each other say a a ugh a and proceed to talk about Bowling for hours. My dads shirt which to this Day hangs near the Only-12-years-out-of-fashion Section of his wardrobe was Green with cat of Dowie patches All Over the Back. My dad would spend hours each saturday afternoon in front of the television watching Ines rating amounts of Bowling. We worried about him. He wore his Bow Ling shirt while he watched so next time you see someone wearing a Nice Bowling shirt Stop and make his Day. Tell the Bowler what you really think of the shirt. Then again Faybe you . Feedback do you think Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf should run for Public office Petty officer 3rd class William Hensley naval station Rota Spain i think head make a Good congressman. President not yet. Petty officer 1st class Henry Paredes naval station Rota Spain no. He a a military Man doing a military Job and he  use that Job for political reasons. Mike Morris a military family member living at naval station Rota Spain head be fabulous As a vice presidential candidate but first hell have to be seasoned. Pfc. Karen Smith Charlie co 11th signal in Darmstadt Germany i done to know. Sometimes i think military people Are biased toward the military and done to care about other programs. Pfc. Kenneth Dixon Bravo co 94th engr Bufi Darmstadt he should take a shot at it. Look at How Many stood behind him. We have Confidence in him. He can get the Job done. Correction due to an editing error Angie Robinson of the 92nd med det in. Hanau Germany appeared to be saying in last weeks a a feedback column that she goes to Chi chips mexican restaurant in Wiesbaden. Chi Chi restaurants Are in Hanau and Mainz but not Wiesbaden. Robinson knows that. The editor does now. Compiled by stars and stripes Staj March 24, 1991 sunday Page 3