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Online Edition: 002 |
| Return to "Punchline Archive" | JANUARY, 2004 |
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Dear A.K.S. Members:
Mr. Virgil Perkins 6th Dan, and Mr. John Folsom 6th Dan were unable to attend our 2003 Summer Camp. We look forward to seeing them both in 2004. In September 2003, Mr. Reinecke and myself, visited Holzminden Germany. There they ran the annual A.K.S. Seminar. It was very successful, and possibly brought us several new Karate clubs. Herr Modl works very hard each year to make this a very successful event. Little by little, people are becoming aware of who we are. Herr Modl, and his A.K.S. black belts travel all over Europe to introduce others to our American style of Karate. We are very fortunate to have Herr Modl as our European A.K.S. Director. Those who have seen him teach are very impressed by his professionalism and skills. Throughout the year, our A.K.S. students and instructors compete at various karate events. We always do well in the winners circle. This past spring, we helped out in a small local karate tournament in Whitehall, Michigan. The proceeds went to cancer research. Several thousand dollars were raised and we are very proud to have supported such an event. We shall do so again next year. As always, Mr. Fred Reinecke "who should have retired from competition," is still competing and bringing home trophies. I assume the day will come where he will demonstrate a new kata called "the Wheelchair form." He is a very dedicated A.K.S. martial artist. Mr. Mike Sullenger is in the process of upgrading our A.K.S. student handbook. It is now being reviewed by our four assistant chief instructors, and myself. It should be ready in time for our 2004 Summer Camp. An A.K.S. autobiography of Ernest H. Lieb (that would be me) is in the works! Ingrid Coughlan, from Germany, took a years leave of absense from her job to write this book. She is very talented in writing and in foreign languages. Ingrid will be writing it in English. A potential publisher has also been found. Herr Andreas Modl will be putting together a German version of the A.K.S. It will be quite different from Ingrid's version as the market in Europe would not support an American autobiography. So in the next few years, our style will be in print in Germany and America. We are certainly blessed to be able to put together this English autobiography. Ingrid will be visiting Muskegon, Michigan for one month. Please give her your support. She will be asking many questions. So please be straight forward in your answers about your style and your relationship over the years with your "Chief Instructor" . . . Pull no punches! We have, thoughout the year, accomplished many things. I would like to encourage "ALL" instructors to send in stories about their students (and digital pictures as well). We would like to feature this information in our Punchline newsletter. However, Laura cannot put them into our Punchline, if you do not send her the information. Laura's email Students have tested for black belts, and grade ranks. Every rank is important to the person that earns that rank. So as their teacher, let others know about their accomplishments! Things are finally settling down in West Virginia. Mr. John Folsom 6th Dan, who started under me in 1968, will be in charge of that state. Sgt. Charles Krum 5th Dan will be assisting him. They have just held their first advanced A.K.S. black belt workout at Mr. Folsom's own club. It was well received by all. Mr. Folsom called me to tell me that it went well. Congratulations, West Virginia, for a job well done! I expect a good showing this coming year from that state when some of their new, and old members, come to our annual Summer Camp. Take an extra moment to welcome them to our clan. I look forward to seeing Mr. Folsom on our gym floor as a 6th Dan. I would like to thank all of you for your support this past year to the American Karate System. We try to represent you with honor and dignity. A properous "2004" to all! Best regards, Ernest H. Lieb 9th Dan American Karate System - Chief Instructor Editor-In-Chief - Punchline Newsletter |
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I was reading through the book by Forrest E. Morgan, a retired Air Force Major, entitled, "Living The Martial Way." Major Morgan covers a number of great topics all serious martial artists should take to heart. I've chosen the above heading because it is very lacking in today's society. The Macmillan School Dictionary defines courtesy as "courteous behavior, politness, a courteous act, or favor." Respect is defined as a "regard for or appreciation of the basic worth or value of someone or something." And honor is defined as "a sense of what is right or moral, integrity." You may ask, why is this a topic for a martial arts newsletter? If you've asked that question, then you're part of the modern generation of Americans whose parents have failed them in their upbringing. Courtesy, respect and honor are all basic parts of what should be taught by parents to their children during the early stages of their lives. In the days of old, oriental warriors learned these key precepts as a part of development of discipline. Major Morgan points out how it's "interesting when certain members of our society reach a high station; they seem to think it's perfectly all right to treat people of lesser position rudely." (p. 161) Like the Major, I've also seen this over the years. During my twenty years in the military, I saw it not only from some senior enlisted people, but from a lot of officers. Not only that, but some senior officers' wives would introduce themselves as "Colonel Mrs. so and so". Or "General Mrs. so and so." Yet they were nothing more than the dependant spouse of an active duty officer. They were rude and disrespectful to those they perceived of lesser station. What about in the martial arts community? In the forty plus years I've been studying and training in the martial arts, I've seen some really hugh egos. The irony with many of them was the only claim to fame they had was that they'd won some tournament, or had a part in some chessy C rated movie. Because they'd acheived some level of notoriety, they automatically thought themselves better than those who hadn't. They had no real education to speak of. They'd not really traveled in other parts of the world, yet they conducted themselves as someone everyone else had better take notice of. They had no humility. They had no real honor, in the same sense as the samurai of old. Why not? Why didn't their instructors instill this in them? I will submit to you that many of todays martial arts students attend schools that focus on tournament participation, or some other competive area. They don't learn anything about the art (Do), or the history of the system they're studying. Therefore, they're not taught anything about courtesy, respect and honor. Even though these three words denote different ideas, or mannerisms, they are nevertheless entertwined. As a christian, I believe we are blessed with opportunities throughout our lives. I've been given opportunties to learn more than one language, to travel and learn about other cultures, to see other countrys and how people in other parts of the world live. That has instilled in me a deep appreciation for the blessings we have in America. It's also shown me the "Ugly American." I believe this is one reason why we're seen in such a negative way in other countrys. If more of us possessed a greater sense of courtesy, respect and honor, how would that affect the way we would treat others? If we treated others utilizing those three tenets, how would we be preceived by peoples of other nations? When I'm asked by someone I've met who finds out I'm a martial artist what my rank is, I merely reply that I'm a senior black belt within the American Karate System. I don't tell them what my rank is because I don't feel it's germain to the conversation at that point. If the person is also a martial artist and presses for more detail, I eventually will tell them. It has nothing to do with not being proud of my rank, rather the sense of being boastful by being to ready to offer that information. I try to treat everyone with courtesy, respect and honor. I do this because it's the way I was raised. I do this because it's part of the martial arts training I've been privileged to have under gone over more than four decades. I also endeavor to instill these crucial tenets in all of my students. I do that because to do less is to cheat them out of a rich part of what the Masters or yesteryear would have expected. I've been richly blessed with a great education, linguistic abilities, and a variety of other talents. Anyone who knows me also knows many of the things I've been able to accomplish. Yet with all of that, I see it merely as having been blessed with opportunities, along with the wisdom to take advantage of them. I don't see myself as better than anyone else. After all, we all start off with the same suit of clothes. The differences follows in the mannerism in which we begin to live - or not live - the life we've been given. How do you treat people? Have you ever caught yourself thinking less of someone because they didn't have your level of income, education or some other materialistic thing? If you're a serious martial artist, you should analyze your conduct towards others. If you're an instructor, what are you teaching your students about courtesy, respect and honor? Respectfully yours in Budo Mike Sullenger |
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Mr. Fred Reinecke 7th Dan, and Assistant Chief Instructor, has been part of the A.K.S. since 1975. Anyone who has been associated with our style knows Fred. He is our mediator, advisor, negotiator, confidant to Mr. Lieb, weapons master, photographer and friend. Fred's A.K.S. history is long and impressive. His dedication to our style is one of the reasons the A.K.S. is where it is today.
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An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. "A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy. It is a terrible fight, and it is between two wolves.
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Attention all A.K.S. black belts who are running a club or have students. The A.K.S. needs a head-count of all active students from yellow belt and up who are 13 years old or more. (Because younger children come and go from the clubs, it is not necessary to report these names at this time.) Please mail the following information to Mr. Reinecke [1] Rank [2] Age [3] Home Address and [4] E-mail address if available. I will be publishing a list, by club, through our website as soon as possible. It is important to know how many active members we have if we want to make accurate decisions concerning our style. Also, active members will enjoy seeing their names on our site. (This information is for AKS only and will not be sold to anyone.) I look forward to hearing from all of you & thanks. Frederic A. Reinecke | ||
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ANNUAL A.K.S. REGISTRATION FEES ARE DUE BY FEBRUARY 28, 2004 This year's summer camp is scheduled for the weekend of July 23rd through the 25th. Black belt testing will be conducted on Friday afternoon, July 23rd. As in past years, we expect to have out-of-town A.K.S. members in attendance. In order to cut down on their travel expenses, we are looking for local A.K.S. members / friends who would be willing to "house" our guests for a few days. If you are able to do this, please contact Mr. Lieb as soon as possible. More information regarding Summer Camp 2004 will be forthcoming. NEXT MEETING: Friday evening, January 23, at Mr. Lieb's apartment. Mr. Allen Horton 6th Dan, Uechi Ryu, will be introduced to our Master level instructors. If you would like to let us know what your school has been doing, or if you want to feature a student or instructor in the Punchline, please send an email to one of the following: Ernie Lieb, Mike Sullenger, or Laura Werner. |
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Definition. . . " Karate " ... as defined in Merriam-Webster Online http://www.m-w.com/ Main Entry: ka·ra·te Pronunciation: k&-'rä-tE Function: noun Etymology: Japanese, from kara empty + te hand Date: 1955 : an Oriental art of self-defense in which an attacker is disabled by crippling kicks and punches Quote for January, 2004 Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work. - Thomas Edison Return to "Punchline Archive" |