And so there’s our first reason for having a Color War for Old
Timers: because people imagine it and have talked about it for so long.
It’s time to make the dream a reality. Hell, it would beat sitting
in the Council Ring having to listen to Sammy London scream that grocery
store story for the 35th year in a row.(2)
Reason two, and the best reason of all: pure entertainment value. Pure, and free (don’t get too excited, Hurv). If those horseshoe battles that we all enjoy watching take on point value? Can you imagine the heckling?!? Hy, as the thrower is in his back swing: “Aim for my dead schmuck, you fuckin’ cocksucker!!” Tan Man arguing with the head referee that he can swim the freestyle from the comfort of his lawn chair. Tug of wars that last forty-five minutes, and then someone’s arm comes flying out of its socket and the other team falls down and breaks their hips. Three-legged races that would have to be re-named “three-legs-and-unlimited-crutches races”. The mystery question: “What is your name?” And they both go the full 10-minute limit.
“My
first OTW was in 1985 as a worker, and in 1989 as an alumnus.”
Of course some aspects of the War would have to change from what we all grew up with. For example, talking in the mess hall would be encouraged, rather than banned. No matter what, I still want to hear “Shitonya Shitonya” every chance I get.(3) The track meet would probably do without the Steeplechase. So we’d have to replace it with, say, cribbage. Flag football may have to be modified so that instead of requiring the defense to pull the ball carrier’s flag, the defense would simply have to be able to see the ball carrier. Second down! You get the point.
Reason
three – innovation. Change is good. This is a huge year of change
so we might as well go all the way. There will be no prime rib!!! Change
is good. Let’s toss in a little old fashioned Color War while we’re
at it. First newspaper of the day could be worth points! There have always
been changes in programming and facilities at our camp. We can’t
rest on our laurels. Go Blue Go baby!!!!!!!! Sorry, I got excited.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m a fan of the prime rib, because it’s tradition. But I’m also a fan of some kinds of changes. A new traditional meal? Good idea. A new traditional event? Good idea. Of course, most of us would need our doctor’s permission and a liability release. But what I’m really looking forward to is that that last night. Remember? Carrying the benches back to the mess hall. Being with your bunkmates at your own table. Screaming and yelling and laughing and crying. And best of all, chocolate milk never tasted better than on that night.
So I encourage a letter writing campaign to the program director, the editor of this website, and of course, new papa, the Commissioner, John Zinman. Everyone together: WE WANT COLOR WAR, WE WANT COLOR WAR!!! WE WANT COLOR WAR, WE WANT COLOR WAR!!!
(1)May
he (and all the other alumni who have shared our dream of an OTWCW) rest
in peace.
(2)My first OTW was in 1985 as a worker, and in 1989 as an alumnus. I
kept coming back because I wanted to sit in the council ring and listen
to Sammy’s stories, and Hy Escott’s stories, and Tarpy Seltzer’s
stories. Those stories are what caused me to truly fall in love with WEHC.
Never stop screaming, Sammy. But please wait until at least 10AM. Some
of us still need our sleep.
(3)Re-read the heckling comments in previous paragraph for additional
mess hall images.
