WOMEN AND CHILDREN FIRST

By Peter Vuono

     According to the National Coalition Against Violent Athletes 20% of all college football recruits of the top 25 Division 1 teams have criminal records. We are hearing more and more about pro athletes who beat their girlfriends and fiancees. Most recently, the Dallas Cowboys signed a defensive lineman who had  been accused of beating his girlfriend. Very little attention is given to those athletes who conduct themselves differently. Here is a tale of two athletes who chose to put women and children first.
    I remember back in the 80's with great anticipation of seeing Scott"Bam Bam" Bigelow. The Asbury Park NJ native was 6' and weighed 390 lbs. and could perform aerial maneuvers that only a few smaller pro wrestlers could handle. He entered Larry Sharpe's Monster Factory(possibly the first wrestling school), with a Black Belt. Bigelow's talent was phenomenal and he would have a very successful career with the WWE, the WCW and the ECW. Bigelow was way ahead of his time with tattoos. His shaven head was adorned with a fire ball tattoo which covered his entire scalp. He also wore a bodysuit covered with flames. This was a very strange and prophetic omen of an act of bravery which would cause Bam Bam's life to suffer many a calamity.
   In July of 2000, a fire broke out in a home near Bigelow's house in Pennsylvania. Bigelow knew that there were three children trapped inside and the fire dept had not yet arrived. The instinct of the warrior kicked in and Bigelow smashed the door down. He rescued the three children but at a terrible price. Forty percent of his body was burned! Bigelow spent 10 days in the hospital recuperating. Once released, however, he was never really able to rise from the ashes. His marriage and career waned. He acquired heart disease and became acquainted to anti-depressants . On January 19, 2007, Bigelow succumbed to heart disease. He was only 45 and would become one of the 117 pro wrestlers all under the age of 60 who have died since 1985.
    Cleveland native Perry Satullo entered the US Army to become an Army Airborne Ranger. Upon his honorable discharge, young Satullo wanted nothing more than to be a pro wrestler. He traveled to Malden Ma and trained under the auspices and guidance of Walter Killer Kowalski  and debuted in 1988. Like Bam Bam, he excelled in this craft and changed his name to Perry Saturn. He wrestled for the WCW, ECW, WWE , TNA and New Japan Pro Wrestling. Few men or women had his type of success.
   One evening while driving his girlfriend to work, Saturn observed two men raping a woman. He immediately sprang from the car and fought the two men off so as they allowed the woman to escape. What Perry didn't know, however, was that one of the men was armed. Saturn was shot in the back of the neck and in the back of the shoulder. When he was transported to the hospital, he thought that the pain stemmed from him taking two good punches.
   Like Bam Bam Bigelow, however, Saturn's heroism came with a price. To deaden the pain, he was drawn into drug addiction and for two and a half years, was homeless! Many chat lines and websites thought that he was deceased because for years no one could locate him whether they be friend or family.Then, in approximately 2009, like the ancient Lazarus, Perry Saturn emerged, drug free and no longer homeless just as if an Angel of the Lord had ministered to him.
  Bam Bam Bigelow and Perry Saturn will always be remembered by wrestling fans for the thrills and bigger than life exploits of the ring. More importantly, however, when they are both before their Maker and are asked, "Who did yo serve?", they can proudly say, "Lord, we put women and children first"!

"No greater love is there than when a man lay down his life for his friend"- Jesus
   

FOR DUTY AND HUMANITY

 By Peter Vuono

   This short tale is dedicated to the memory of veteran Billy McCann(1947-1971) who selflessly paid the ultimate sacrifice and to every man and woman who served in the armed forces.

"No greater love is there than when a man lay down his life for his friends"- Jesus


FOR DUTY AND HUMANITY

     As my son and I watched "American Sniper", I wondered how many Hollywood actors had really walked the walk as an American veteran. I fear that there have been precious few since the days of Jimmy Stewart who flew  many combat missions in WWII. This tale is one of a true Hollywood hero who paid the ultimate price, My favorite place in 1960 was the Wollaston, Ma theater in Quincy. I spent  EVERY Saturday afternoon there going to the movies and it was there, I believe , that my personality was formulated. Steve Reeves made me want to be strong and my penchant for comedy came from three men that I had never seen before 1960. I found out that they were called the 3 Stooges and my life would later change for the better because of them. I'd use their lines in both the classroom and in my magic act. I would later make thousands of kids laugh thanks to them.
     The Stooges worked for Columbia Pictures and had many stock actors play in their short, 20 minute features. One such actor was Thomas Richard Potts who would later change his name to Richard Fiske .Fiske, who was born in Shelton Washington was only in his 20's. He was tall(6'3"), athletic and very handsome. He would be the perfect foil to hire for the Stooges. Fiske made 13 shorts with the Stooges and gained so much popularity with his skills and good looks that he made dozens of serials shortly  after his hiring in 1938.
     Among the 13 shorts he made with the Stooges was "Boobs in Arms" where he played a drill instructor failing to make the Stooges conform to Army regulations. An important short, however was "You Nazty Spy", Fiske acted in this short which was the first  film ever(Jan 1940) to parody Adolph Hitler, a full 9 months before Charly Chaplin's "Great Dictator". Acting in a parody, however was not enough for Fiske and he, at age 28 joined the Army.
    He moved his way up the ranks and became a first Lieutenant before being shipped abroad. Fiske was not the type of officer to sit back and observe the war. He demanded to fight in the front lines along side his men and was killed in action while fighting in the Battle of Normandie(La Croix-Avranchin) in 1942.
   Fiske was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, The Bronze Star and several other awards. His remains would not return to Hollywood. He is interred in the Brittany American Cemetery in Normandie.
   Action stars will come and go and continue to make  millions for studios but without the real credentials there will always be something missing.
   As long as we Americans continue to breathe free from tyranny and terrorism, the "Duty and Humanity" of Richard Fiske and all veterans will not be forgotten nor will it go in vain.
    

SHOULDERING A HEAVY BURDEN

By Peter Vuono

     A few days ago, my buddy, Paul sent me a short story on Olympic caliber weightlifter Sarah Robles.
Sara competed in the 2012 games in London and is one of the strongest women in the world. She can elevate overhead more weight than most male athletes and yet she was living on $400.00 per month leading up to the Olympics because she couldn't get sponsors. Many think that it was because Sarah, being a plus sized girl, couldn't get sponsors because her body type does not match the perfect feminine physique that has been pushed on American girls by the media for decades.
     This bothered me greatly on a personal level as I have a close relation who has struggled with weight for most of her life. Because of this she has always been prejudged and not for the better. To say the least, her life has been a struggle.This is why, whenever I see a heavy set child in one of my magic shows I will ALWAYS choose that child in an attempt to lift his spirits if only for a minute above the pain of life's prejudices.
    A few days later, I had some free time. When I do, I sometimes pop in one of my favorite movies. On this day it was a 70's cult film entitled"I Like To Hurt People". It was made in the mid 70's by cult director, Donald G. Jackson who was called the Ed Wood of the video age. Jackson was more than that and his talent got him a job on most of James Cameron's major films. This humble movie was shot in Detroit and centered around the NWA wrestling stable that belonged to American born veteran Eddie Farhat. Eddie led a double life as a very astute promoter and one of the most notorious  wrestlers that ever lived- The Sheik. He gave Jackson full cooperation to film this documentary because Jackson agreed to not break the secretive code of silence that wrestlers live by known as "Kayfabe".
   There were many famous wrestlers in the film but the most poignant and cathartic part was the interview of psychologist Dr. Sonya Freidman with wrestler Peggy Jones. Farhat gave Jones the ring name of"Heather Feather" and made Peggy a "face" or fan favorite. She had the distinction of being the heaviest female wrestler of all time at 367lbs.
   When Dr. Friedman asked"What's a nice 23yr. old girl like you doing in this racket?" Peggy answered," It's really kind of hard to say. There's a lot of reasons why I'm in it. Mainly it's a way of proving myself. A way of making me something in my life. I guess have you ever seen a girl  built like Rosie Grier? I've been this tall and this weight since I was 12 and it's no lie and it's been awfully hard growing up. You have to try extra hard to be cool".
   When I heard this painfully honest answer, I realized that Peggy was speaking for every person who was ever challenged by being overweight. She, like everyone else of this size would have to spend the rest of her life proving to the bigoted public and to herself that she was  indeed a person of worth and feelings. And prove it, Peggy did!
   Peggy was asked to wrestle the 8 foot tall, 650lb. wrestling bear Victor. Victor was an orphan and rescued Alaskan Brown who can still be seen on YouTube. He was rescued and trained by pro wrestler Tuffy Truesdell. Victor had a record with the men of 10,000 and 0!! Peggy wrestled Victor to a draw and became the only woman to ever wrestle Victor. She then went on to become the first woman to wrestle and pin a man long before the WWE's Chyna. This humble woman, in this humble movie made a most profound statement. Plus sized people are not lazy, they are not uncomely, they are not untalented and they do deserve the same respect and consideration as anyone else despite the ideal body type that has been wrongfully foisted upon us for so long.
   Peggy Jones' career lasted for about 12 years. It is unknown what happened to her other than her quietly slipping into anonymity. Because "I Like To Hurt People" is a cult film, her message will be heard by a precious few.However, this blog may intensify her voice and make it  somewhat louder so that the next time a person of her size is viewed by others they will look not with antipathy but with a smile. Just maybe.

""I am convinced that the only people worthy of consideration in this world are the unusual ones. For the common folks are like leaves on a tree, and live and die unnoticed"- The Scarecrow from the Wizard of Oz

DELIVERED FROM EVIL
By Peter Vuono

     It was reported by the FBI in 2013 that law enforcement reported over 6,800 cases of hate crimes. These all dealt with race, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, and disability. Also, according to the Department of Health and Human services 1 in 3 school children are bullied each year in a variety of ways. It is unfortunate  that we have not gotten away from this type of behavior which made a huge mark on American history from June 10- Sept 22, 1692 in Salem, Ma. Here 19 people were hanged as witches and one man pressed to death because of a non-threatening  eccentricity of their personalities. Since I've been involved with strength training for most of my life, the case of George Burroughs was of great interest to me.
    Burroughs was born in Suffolk , England before moving to the Colonies. He was raised in Roxbury, Ma and became a congregational pastor. He graduated from Harvard and became minister of Salem shortly after.
   For a very long period of time, Pastor Burroughs was not paid a salary by his congregation and fell into debt with the inclusion of his first wife's burial expenses. He borrowed money from the well to do Putnam family and although the money  was paid back years later it created a great deal of antipathy from the Putnams.
  Burroughs moved to Falmouth, Maine and took up practice there but the French and Indian Wars and the Wabanaki Tribe pushed him to setting up practice in Wells Beach. However, the animosity created by his debt sent constables to Wells Beach to bring him back to Salem and be charged as a "Wizard" which was the male counterpart to "Witch'. However, an eccentricity was needed to show that George Burroughs was not like any other "normal" man. In his case, he was in possession of great physical strength in his hands and grip.
  Burroughs was accused of"Lifting weights beyond what could be humanly possessed". In the days of Salem, the weapon of choice was the William III Flintlock Rifle which was approximately 61" long. It was made of brass, iron and wood and was quite heavy. Burroughs could place the index finger of his hand in the muzzle and hold the flintlock strait out completely to the side supporting all the weight with his index finger.
  Burroughs was tried as a "Wizard" and was condemned to die on August 19,1692. As Burroughs mounted the ladder to the scaffolding, journalist Robert Calef was present. According to Calef, Burroughs gave a "Speech of innocence  and recited the Lord's Prayer so well worded and uttered with such composure and such fervent of spirit as was affecting and drew tears from many". It was also said in many Puritan courts that it was impossible for a "Witch" to utter the Lord's Prayer aloud. Nevertheless, the intrepid Pastor was put to death and buried in a shallow grave so poorly dug that his chin could still be shown.
  I sometimes think about the way things are today and I really don't believe that we've come a long way in these 322 years. We all have gifts and personality traits that set us apart from everyone else. Now, thanks to the bravery displayed by Pastor Burroughs, when I see these eccentricities, I try to look at them differently rather than allow my prejudices to become inflamed and aroused as they did with my New England predecessors. Maybe someday, all persons who possess the same antipathy as did the architects of the Salem Witch Trials will have their thoughts delivered from evil.

FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS-

Story by Peter Vuono, Title by John Donne

     One of my favorite movies as well as my son's is director Chris Bell's "Bigger, Stronger, Faster".
Every time we see it( and we watch it about 3 times per year), we go out to our broken down garage gym and train all the harder. The gist of the movie which is about the use of anabolic steroids is that steroids themselves are not the real villain; rather the true problem revolving around them is the "Win at all costs", attitude which has gripped America. Perhaps the most passionate and interesting character in the film is Chris Bell's older brother Mike.
    Mike was born in Poughkeepsie on March 18, 1971. He was the oldest of three brothers who relished sports and weightlifting. Mike excelled in football, powerlifting and professional wrestling. During the movie Mike was quoted as saying that he "Would rather be dead than average". Clearly, this feeling of inferiority plagued Mike as he had survived a suicide attempt. However, I think that the mistake that Mike had initially made is one that we all make. None of us is average. We are all made in the likeness and image of God.
     In addition to this, Mike had achieved a cache of  successes that only few can boast of achieving. He played division I football for the University of Cincinnati. He powerlifted  and built his body to Hurculean proportions and succeeded in working for the biggest wrestling organization of all time- the WWF.
    More importantly than this, he successfully found the right woman to become  his wife and life partner; something equally notable as all of the above. Mike's  fighting spirit to succeed never failed. He moved to a different environment, took on a new job,and became a teacher of pro wrestling . He revivified his life and succeeded in being the devoted husband, son and brother that he had always been. So you see; he had never really been average at all.
   When Mike tragically passed away on Dec 14, 2008 at the age of 37, his passing was greatly mourned by family, friends and all those who he inspired through the movie. However, we must remember that although his body ceased to function, his fighting spirit continued and never really gave up.
   Another great athlete who passed away in his 30's(Bruce Lee), once said"The key to immortality is by living a life worth remembering". I believe that Mike Bell did exactly that.

"Any man's death diminishes me,
Because I am involved in mankind.
And therefore never send to know
for whom the bell tolls,
it tolls for thee."  - John Donne

BIG MAN, BIGGER HEART

By Peter Vuono


    Mother Teresa once said that there are three routes to follow in how we should treat others.
She said,"The first is to be kind, the second is to be kind and the third is to be kind". Brockton Special Ed. teacher, Carl Yancey was an avid proponent of this credo. Carl, who on Sept. 28th was hit and killed by a hit and run driver had all the attributes to be a man who was feared. He was big, and tall with an imposing stature. However Carl decided to listen to the scriptures and entered the narrow gate. Unlike so many others who are led astray, Carl was kind, gregarious and caring. He had a knack of making both his students and his customers at his second job smile.  Rather than becoming an entity to be feared he became an ordained minister and was an example to all. He was a bulwark of living for others.
    Just as importantly, Carl taught in  a Brockton Public School which catered to some of the most needy Special Children. He used his imposing figure coupled with his ebullent personality to assist, teach, mold and inspire. He was a flag ship of the golden rule.
   So, today as I drove down the highway and had the temerity to ask God, why the good die young, like Carl, the Lord was patient with me and answered my question. I now knew why Carl passed so early with the words of Jesus ringing in my ears-"As long as you did it for these, the least of my brethren, you did it for me". Carl has received the reward that the rest of us so anxiously wait for.

OF MIGHT AND MORALS

By Peter Vuono

     Most of us would agree that nowadays more than ever both Hollywood and pro sports are devoid of the type of male role models which were seen so prevalently in the 1960's. This is a shame because I firmly believe that these men help to shape and mold the character of many of the young men who watch their work. One such person who had a great impact on me sadly passed away Sept 9th from ALS. This was character actor, Denny Miller.
     Miller, who was from Indiana moved to California in the 1950's to play basketball for UCLA. His dad was a Physical Education instructor at the same school. Miller, who was tall, blond and handsome worked for the Bekins Furniture Company as a mover to help make ends meet at home. He was discovered by a casting agent and without any acting experience, portrayed the first blond Tarzan in 1959 opposite Joanna Barnes in Tarzan, the Ape Man.He would go on to do over 200 television appearances and 14 years as the Gorton's Fisherman.
    Denny portrayed many tough guys but also many roles of character and strength. I believe that 3 in particular have affected my life for the better. In an episode of Gilligan's Island, Miller, who switched from basketball to bodybuilding did such a good and unique posing routine it caught the attention of Muscular Development Magazine and made him the subject of their Muscles in the Movies column. When I saw him pose way back in the 60's, I knew I wanted arms like his.
    More importantly, some of his roles are indelible in my mind for moral reasons and I do believe had much to do in molding my young personality. Miller was exceptional in portraying different types of people who are disabled.
     In 1971 in an episode of Gunsmoke he portrayed a deaf mountain man who risked his life to save kids who had fallen into a well. The role, however, which I have thought about for much of my life was his portrayal of a paraplegic confined to a wheelchair in the 1981 Incredible Hulk episode- "The Harder They Fall". I'll NEVER forget the line Miller spoke in the episode to Bill Bixby when he stated," This wheelchair doesn't mean my life ends; it just changes".
   I don't pretend to have the same type of serious disability but when poor health befell me, I thought of Denny Miller's role and realized that I should adapt and change rather than quit and give up. This is the kind of role model we children of the 60's were fortunate enough to have and it is just as  unfortunate that today's youth haven't this luxury.
   In Miller's Gunsmoke episode entitled "Lijah", he was seriously injured in rescuing the children from the well. I remember the final line he delivered when he told them."Don't worry, I'm not going to die". His words were prophetic because although Denny is gone his influence of strength, courage and wholesomeness has remained in the personalities of all those that he has inspired. Denny Miller will always remain a beacon of might and morals.