THE FIGHTER

     I come from Brockton, Ma. One mile from my home is a magnificent statue of Rocky Marciano .
It's the largest statue in the world dedicated to an athlete and it's a beautiful thing to behold. Many regard Rocky as the greatest of all and many other historians have their own favorite. However, a little known  fighter from ancient Greece who lived  in the mid 400's BC had no equal.
     I dedicate this story to all those who are fighting  disease, depression, addiction, bullying and abuse; especially women and children. Also, to our fighting men and women overseas.


THE FIGHTER
By Peter Vuono

    The Grecian island of Thasos in the year 440 BC was among the most beautiful islands on the planet. Thasos, the northern most of all Grecian islands was completely surrounded by the magnificent Aegean Sea.
Wherever one walked one would see breath taking seascapes. One early spring morning, a 9 year old Thasian walked alone through the town square.. Like any child his attention was drawn to a beautiful brazen statue of one of the gods. Mesmerized, the child lifted the statue unassisted and brought it home.
   His parents were greatly disturbed and they were sure that their child would incur the wrath of the gods.
The child's father, Timosthenes, lead the child and the statue back safely to the town square to the relief of all. Although the child was said to be the son of Timosthenes, many swore that he was sired by Hercules! The child was called Theogenes.
    Theogenes grew up admiring the mighty Greek athlete Achilles. Since Achilles was known  for his running skills, Theogenes ran and won many a race. One in particular was the dolichos which was a long distance run which consisted of between 7 and 24 stadia. A stadia was equal to 600 feet. Adept as he was at running, Theogenes would soon find that his forte would be in both boxing and pankration. Pankration was the Grecian form of mixed martial arts. It consisted of boxing, kicking, chokes, locks, trips and throws. The only thing not allowed was biting and eye gouging.
    Theogenes won one boxing title in the 75th Olympiad in 480BC. He also won a pankration in the 76th Olympiad of 476BC. In addition  to this he won three Pythian Games in boxing, one pankration in the Isthmian Games with 9 boxing titles, and finally  nine boxing titles in the Nemean Games . All together, it is said that he defeated between 1300 and 1400 opponents! He was undefeated in boxing in 22 years and there is yet another unsubstantiated claim that Theogenes defeated 2102 opponents!
   A marble statue was erected in Thasos of Theogenes upon his death and he was made a Thasian hero. One of his enemies vandalized the statue one evening and lost his life when the statue crashed down upon him.
The remains of the statue were thrown into the sea and from that moment on the Island of Thasos yielded no crops! Upon hearing this, the Oracle of Delphi suggested that the rubble of the statue be resurrected from the sea. The town erected a new one and the crops came back again!
   One may ask if this was the work of a god or deity. I think not. However, one thing is for certain; that the legend of history's greatest fighter has withstood the sands of time. It is hoped that the fighting spirit of the mighty Theogenes will once again arise in the hearts of those that need it the most.

THE AMERICAN DREAM

By Peter Vuono

     When Hernani "Ernie" Branco came to the United States from Portugal decades ago, he brought with him the keys to success, He brought a  strong and supportive family background, a hard work ethic, an eagerness to learn and above all, an ebullient personality just exuding love, laughter and friendship. Ernie and I met in 1975 at Bridgewater State College. One couldn't help but like him with his sincere warmth which was infectious.
     Ernie knew the importance of not just getting an education but speaking English well. He requested to study with me at my home on his various English assignments thus honing his skills in translation. It didn't take long for my mother to fall in love with him. It took only a few sessions before Ernie was confident in mastering the English language. On par with this was his athletic expertise.
     Ernie was the kicker for our football team which was only natural with the enormous amount of soccer expertise brimming within him. Sometimes, he kicked the ball so far that it seemed that it landed in Middleboro. This excellence gave Ernie an opportunity to try out as a kicker for the New England Patriots. Just following graduation, Ernie was off to training camp. However it was here that he had an epiphany as to where his talents could best be shared- in service.
    Ernie became an outstanding soccer coach, Health teacher and friend. Everywhere he taught and coached he touched the lives of teachers and students alike whether it be evoking laughter, a kind and sincere handshake or in the bolstering of a child's self esteem. Ernie took this magical charm to higher levels as an assitant principal and finally a principal. He never once condescended and continued to treat everyone with kindness, laughter love and respect.
    Only a few days ago Ernie was taken from us in a fatal single auto accident. Only when we all meet the creator will we know why such things are allowed. Perhaps Ernie was chosen for another mission for we cannot forget that although he is gone bodily, his spirit lives on forever and will forever inspire.
     At about the same time that Ernie entered the USA, a close friend of Bruce Lee's, Taky Kimura, had experienced a profound hardship that impacted his life severely. Lee wrote to Kimura saying,"Life is an ever flowing process and somewhere on the path some unpleasant things will pop up- it might leave a scar- but then life is flowing on, and like running water, when it stops, it grows stale. Go bravely on  my friend because each experience teaches us a lesson."
     The Ernie Branco that I know would want each and every one of us to"go bravely on" and like him, pursue our own American Dream.