Pillar to Post

I was reminded recently that I had never  blogged my Naval exploits in the ring--the boxing ring that is. Now this is a bit of ancient history but it did take place and has always occupied  one of my pleasing memories. So to back up a bit, I was newly stationed at the Chapel Hill campus in North Carolina and this was what was pre-flight and consisted of a great deal of physical fitness, four hours of studies dailey, leaving six hours of working out. As a welcome gift, I was placed on the boxing team. Oh there were several other athletic groups I could have gone to but somehow, some wag, decided I looked like a boxer. The only time I had ever put on gloves was in the basement of Billy Harrisons house where he forthwith took advantage of my lack of experience by smashing me in the solar plexus where I immedately collapsed to the floor and died for several minutes. Remembering that in great clarity did not thrill me when I received my assignment. My first fight  explains the title of this blog and I was the recipient of of a pounding that literally took me form pillar to post. I learned a lot that first fight. I learned to avoid any further activities that had to do with leather. I also learned that boxing is not a good sport in which you come in 2nd. I took such a beating that you would have thought I had faced Mohammet Ali. So with a week to recover before my next fight I approached that day with a mixture of terror and cowardice. But with three guys pushing me I ventured into the ring to find a muscular gentleman who terrified me by bouncing his biceps as he stared at me. However, I advanced as the opening bell rang and decided that running was the best defense. I'm not sure how I won that fight but it might be that he was more frightened  that me. Now thats laughable! Anyway I managed to go on and win my next 14 fights and could see I was advancing to fight for the  battalion championship. I tried to calm my hysterics when I realized this because the man I was to fight was built like a hydrant. Actually I had been watching him because it had become evident that he and I would clash and he had a certain set of punches--a solid left jab immediately followed by a right cross and  then a vicious left hook. I learned these identifying characteristics by hearing my coach speak to his class. He only talked about them. He never suggested how I might avoid them.So here I am stepping into the ring with a former fleet sailor who incidentally had won the fleet championship. I had about as much chance in beating him as the proverbial snowball in Hell. However I had figured out that if I would counter jab at the same time as he did, he would be unable to follow through with the rest of his punches. And so it was, he jabbed as I jabbed and the two of us spent the first two rounds countering each of the others punches. Ah but then the axe fell. The bell rang ending the 2nd round and I opened my mouth to grab some air. This took place when coincidentally he was in the midst of throwing a right cross. The bell had rung and he hit me. I know he would not have done this unfairly but it happened. I walked back to my corner, sat on the stool and my coach is shouting words of encourragement and ended them by saying "Winspear, you're doing GREAT"! How do you feel"? I thought it was nice of him to finally show some concern about my well being but I answered him by trying to say in a mumbling sort of way, "I feel good but my teeth don't meeth"! It was true, the punch at the end of the round was such as to knock my jaw askew and my coach called the fight. What an ignominious end to such a glorious career. He was one tough guy and the best part was that even though I lost, at least I was not beaten from pillar to post. I had fought him even for those two rounds.  On a serious note, this had been a great expeerience for me. It had taught me discipline and confidence. I learned lessons that stayed with me for the rest of my life. Do I want to fight again? Yes, if the Navy called again, I would be proud to serve my country in any way that I was able. God bless America!!