Dear Friends,

Those who have known me for many years will, of course, be aware of my Ji Do Kwan history from the 1960's.

I started becoming involved in the Martial Arts in 1956.  First, it was Judo and Jiu Jitsu.  Then I began learning Okinawan Karate.  I was fortunate enough to be sent, by the United States Air Force, to South Korea where I began my training in Ji Do Kwan under Mr. Kim.  It was there that I really fell in love with Karate.

I will use the word "Karate" in a loose sense of the word as it is the “term” that has been accepted throughout the world.  In America, most people refer to “Karate” as the representative of the Chinese, Korean, Okinawan and the Japanese styles.  The A.K.S. uses this word simply as it represents the art of hand and foot fighting.

To differentiate this word you will find that the Chinese styles prefer the words “Gung Fu” or “Kung Fu.”  The Korean styles prefer the word “Tae Kwon Do.”  But in reality, it is not the word that is important.  It is the fact that you are studying one of the Martial Arts forms.

I began under Mr. Kim at Kunsan Air Base in South Korea.  I was just an Airman then with only two stripes.  What I did, as I normally do, was to research the styles in Korea.  I found Ji Do Kwan to be the most aggressive and successful style in Korea.  In the 1960's and 1970's, Ji Do Kwan martial artists won over 70% of all the trophies in competition.  Even the bodyguards of the Korean president where from the style of Ji Do Kwan.  They where respected for their loyalty, honor code, fighting ability, professionalism in teaching, and their “clannishness” among their members.  Their teaching methods where extremely hard.  Most students who trained in Ji Do Kwan quit shortly after joining as the training was, at times, brutal and physically exhausting.

I remember that there where times I wished I had never joined that style.  But with time, it changed this young and confused troublemaker into a man with strong values.  I learned to first respect myself.  I had originally had a low self esteem; therefore, my violent behavior.

In time, I bettered myself.  Not only in the field of education, but I also learned to be more patient and understanding of others.  Being able to control my short temper then, was a major change in my life.  I realized that if I could do this through my Ji Do Kwan training, then I could also help change others who might have similar problems.

You all know my background with regards to our style.  But most of you do not really know my background in Korea.  I will write more in upcoming A.K.S. newsletters.  I hope you will enjoy a bit of our history and how it helped to shape who we are today.

Best regards, ERNEST H. LIEB 10th Dan
The American Karate System U.S.A.

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A sad note. . . Longtime Chuck Norris' friend and associate, Howard Jackson, has died following a long battle with Leukemia.  He was 54.  Howard was featured in such classic martial arts films as "Delta Force," "Missing In Action," "Code of Silence," and "Forced Vengeance" -- and numerous episodes of "Walker, Texas Ranger."

Jackson, born in Detroit, Michigan was known in the martial arts community as "California Flash" because of his remarkable speed and ability to rapidly close the gap on opponents. He is the only champion in history to hold world titles in semi contact, full contact, kick boxing and boxing.

His association with action star, Chuck Norris, dates back to the early 1970s when Jackson began to train at Chuck Norris' Karate Studios in Torrance, California.  Jackson soon became an integral part of the legendary Chuck Norris fighting team that traveled the country winning numerous team and individual championships.  By 1973, Jackson was ranked among the top 10 national fighters in the United States and was inducted into the Black Belt Hall of Fame as "Fighter of the Year."  He was also the first karate champion to be ranked in professional boxing, obtaining the number six ranking in the world by the World Boxing Association (WBA).

After retiring from competition in 1983, Jackson worked for 10 years as Chuck Norris' Personal Protection Officer and Training Partner.  In 1997, following a brief period where he served as Protection Officer for the Motown music act, The Temptations, he returned to his position with Norris where he remained employed until his death.

Jackson died on March 7, 2006 at the City of Hope Cancer Research Hospital in Duarte, California.  His fiancée and caregiver for five years, Sharon Welker, was at his side.  Howard is survived by a sister, Corliss, sons Howard Jr., and Jeremy, daughter, Amber, and three grandsons, as well as Sharon's daughters whom he considered his own -- Melinda, Jennifer and Sarah, as well as three Welker family grandchildren.   Memorial services were held on March 25, 2006 at 11:00 A.M. at the First Church of the Nazarine in Pasadena, CA.