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Pictured above is Master Renee West, 5th dan, and her son Eric performing techniques at the continental divide on Hoosier Pass south of Breckenridge, CO. Master Renee West passed away on Sept 15, 2003.
The 29th International Hapkido and Korean Martial Arts Seminar will be held in Jackson, MS on September 11 - 13, 2008. For more information, contact Master J. R. West at 601-856-8487 or at seminars@hapkido.com . This seminar will be held at the Jackson Hilton Inn, a 4 - star high rise hotel very near the school.
I would like to offer my congratulations to 3rd dans Ricky Thornburgh and Todd Williams who were both recently hired for careers in Federal Law Enforcement. Mr. Thornburgh will be working with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Mr. Williams will be with the US Border Patrol. We will miss them both at the HQ school, but we know that they will make us proud.
The USKMAF proudly announces the latest member of our group, The Pennsylvania Martial Arts Alliance, located in Altoona, PA. The school is owned and operated by Mr. Steve Morrissey, 2nd Dan. Their website is www.AltoonaDefense.com, and they can be reached at 814-932-2530. We all look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship.
Master J. R. West and the members of the USKMAF would like to extend their condolences to the family and students of Grandmaster Bong Soo Han, 9th dan, of Santa Monica CA. GM Han passed away on the 8th of January, 2007 after a long illness. He was an extremely gifted Hapkido master who was well known for his choreography of martial arts techniques in the movies, most famous were his scenes in the "Billy Jack" movies and "The Presidio". Master West first met GM Han while serving in Vietnam in the mid 1960s. Grandmaster Han will be missed by all who new him.
Martial arts success is not measured by the destination, but rather by the distance traveled, and what is learned along the way! J. R. West
Click here for Dr. T. takes a nap video
All Martial Artists are beginners; Some of us have just been beginning a little longer!
J. R. West
TGT Demo {click here}
Never wrassle with a pig! You both get real dirty and the pig kind of likes it!........Old Zen saying
The Eagle and the Wolf
There is a great battle that rages inside me. One side is the soaring eagle. Everything the eagle stands for is good and true and beautiful, and it soars above the clouds. Even though it dips down among the valleys, it lays its eggs on the mountain tops.
The other side of me is the howling wolf. And that raging, howling wolf represents the worst that is in me. He eats upon my downfalls and justifies himself by his presence in the pack.
Who wins this great battle?
THE ONE I FEED! anonymous
Jackson, TN Instructor named to Memphis State Athletic Hall of Fame
Don Holcomb, 4th dan Instructor of "Holcomb HapKiDo" of Jackson, TN was inducted to the University of Memphis' Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday, October 3rd, 2000. The 6ft. 11in. center played basketball at "Memphis State" under coach Gene Bartow up to 1972, and was drafted by the Boston Celtics of the NBA and Carolina Cougars of the ABA. After a stellar career in Europe which included multiple MVP awards, Don returned to the USA and was eventually named head basketball Coach at Millsaps College in Jackson MS, where he teamed up with assistant coach J. R. West., and together in 1984 they took their 20 - 6 team to 3rd place in the NCAA South Regional Tournament. Don is married to Dr. Helene Holcomb, and they have two daughters, Renee and Leah.
Anything to excess is wrong by definition !
Prayer is talking to God....Meditation is quieting the body and spirit so that we may hear as God talks to us. J. R. West
A fool chatters, while a wise man listens.
An instructor that gives away rank, has had rank given to him !
Before you promote a student to black belt, ask yourself this question. If my reputation as a teacher is to be judged by observing only this student, how will I be remembered?
On July 11th, 1998, USAF 1st Lieutenant Michael J. Blassie was laid to rest at the Jefferson Barracks in his home town of St. Louis, MO, after spending the last 14 years in the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington, VA. Master and Mrs. West were invited by Lt. Blassie's family to attend the services as their guest. After Master West's return from VietNam, he and Lt. Blassie became good friends and traveling companions while playing tennis together for the military. Lt. Blassie was a fine young man, and a great pilot and will not be soon forgotten. Master and Mrs. West send their thanks to the entire Blassie family for allowing them to be a part of this incredible occasion. Rest in Peace Michael. Pictures from Blassie Funeral
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