June Newsletter
AKANA Monthly Newsletter
July 2003
written by Hanshi Piddington
Dear AKANA Family Members:
It
is very important at this time to consider our roots in Karatedo.
Karate
in the United States does not have a police system. There is much
misuse and abuse of our art. We need to stand united for quality
Karate. We need to join together for the greater gain of all.
Our house needs to be united.
I wish to thank all those involved in the Living Legends for having me
honored.
I
wish only great blessings on all who attend. My heart sings with
pride and gratitude for the great spirit to have given me friends and
students such you.
I
look forward to coming down south to work with Mr. Smith's group of
students in China Grove. I understand some of my black belts are
coming from Virginia; It will be nice to see them. Mr. Smith has
about 15 advanced students testing for rank. I am also looking
forward to seeing some of the higher dans perform kata, such as Mr.
Phifer, Mr. Jordan, Mr. McClellan, Mr. Godfrey, Mr. Dabney, Mr. Graham,
Mr. and Mrs. Fields, Mr. Rickey Dease, Mr. Robert Taylor, Mr. Ricky
Smith and others who want to perform kata for their Shihan. That
would make me very proud. These are the leaders of our system and
it is important that they continue to perform the American Open Kata.
Mr. Smith has invited me to sit in on his jiu-jitsu test on Friday 25 at
6:00 p.m. at the China Grove Dojo. Mr. Smith and his class mates
will be testing for brown belt under Tachi Troy Price. Mr. Smith
has also invited all AKANA instructors and high dans to sit in as a
guest and watch this test.
I am thankful for the students who have signed up for AKANA. I
know that many more will sign up in the next few weeks according to Mr.
Smith, who is directing this membership drive, along with Kyoshi Dan
McCall. I want AKANA instructors and school owners to share our
vision of the American Karate Academies National Association and share
the positive aspects of AKANA with their students and instructors.
We must strive to keep quality American Karate on this planet and AKANA
has always been my vision to accomplish this. AKANA memberships
will enable me to travel to where I am needed to make this happen.
So, if you have not supported this organization, but desire to do so,
get in touch with Mr. Ricky Smith. I would like to have 300
members by the time I come out to Mr. Smith's in July. I would
also like to have a talking stick ceremony around the camp fire with
AKANA school owners and high dan members on Friday night, July 25.
It would be great if I could work with AKANA student members of any rank
for an hour or so on Wednesday, July 23, before the test, at the test
site. Please arrange this for me Mr. Smith. See you soon!
Yours in an open hand of friendship,
Hanshi Jerry Piddington
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