Aidan “Smasher” Ligtvoet, lookin’ pretty spiffy in his grey and red stripped pants, prepares for his Orange Belt test as he plants one of his powerful right punches squarely on Bob’s chin. Smasher, a very smart and talented young man, has been working very hard lately, and we look forward to witnessing him move to the next level very soon!
Although written for Vietnam era military service personnel at the time, Don’t Forget the Heroes is a patriotic, passionate and moving tribute to all American men and women who serve, are serving and will serve the “Flag of the Free,” especially those who have paid, and will pay, the ultimate price in defense of liberty. Endorsed by General Norman Schwarzkopf and Ross Perot. “Don’t Forget the Heroes” is a wonderful tribute to all of us who served in Vietnam, both the living and the dead, and the families at home who also paid a price for loving a service member.
Hannah “Hannibal” Shamassian delivers, joyfully, a palm thrust to Bob during her workout. Notice the bend in Bob’s neck. Ouch! And Hannah’s eyes—totally focused. Too, check out her right hand. It’s perfectly placed and ready to deliver its own strike. Poor Bob. At least his pain is at the hand of one of the sweetest martial artists in KIA history. And don’t think this chick can’t hit. Believe me, she can … and does.
Balance is Primary. This is one of the most critical principles in martial arts and life. When things are out of balance—physically, mentally, emotionally, financially, spiritually—complications ensue. We simply cannot have a substantive, healthy, harmonious life if we are out of balance. As Euripides (480–406 B.C.E.) stated, The best and safest thing is to keep a balance in your life. Pope John Paul II observed, Man always travels along precipices.
This is one of the fundamental principles of the Karate Institute of America. Do you want to be a diamond or a chunk of coal? If you choose to be a diamond, you must be willing to embrace the heat, pressure and time necessary to be a gem of immense value. If you choose to be an ordinary chunk of coal, well, you’ll have lots of company.
With a beaming and relieved smile, Judy “Striker” Gompf poses with Mr. King after her successful Orange Belt test. Having moved out of the area, Striker was able to return and finish her goal. By the way, her basics were just as good as they were when she moved over a year ago. She didn’t skip a beat. This is such a great testimony to her persistence and determination, which her following inspirational quote corroborates:
Zemia “Barracuda” Garrett (sunglasses) poses with Judy “Striker” Gompf just before Striker takes her Orange Belt test. Barracuda is a Purple Belt working on her Blue. And did her support help? Of course. These two ladies have been friends from their high school days at Laguna Beach where they both played softball. They’re really athletes and fearsome fighters. Check back next week to see if Striker passed her test.
Continuing the story of Goldilocks’ Fairytale Reunion is a collage from the event. Top left are the three ladies—Jenny, Nicole, and Lori. Top right shows the group at lunch. Bottom left is Mr. King with the three lovelies. Center pic is Mr. King with the twins. Far right are the three amigas again. This was a wonderfully warm, fun and terrific surprise. All had a great time. Hopefully, we can do it again before twenty years pass!
What a fairytale surprise! Nicole “Goldilocks” Hackler was visiting a “friend” in Irvine and she and I set a lunch date to get caught up after 20 years. She and her husband, Warren, had moved back East in the mid 90s, and although we were still in communication we hadn’t seen each other in all that time. But when Goldilocks arrived for our lunch date—surprise, surprise! Who did she bring with her but the Brown twins—Jenny and Lori, also KIA 2nd degree Brown Belts and whom I had also not seen in decades!
From the Karate Institute of America pictorial archives, courtesy of Genny “Cougar” Edge, is this 1992 pensive and serendipitous cameo of then Rose “Renegade” Guck and Kurt “Raphael” Hoberg before they were married. If they, and we, only knew then what we all know now. It is amazing how fate exists right before our very eyes long before the reality is made manifest! Rose and Kurt have been wonderful ambassadors of the KIA, and we greatly value their energies.