I was present when Dad promoted Phil Little and Jerry Alleio to 10th Dan Isshinryu. 
These were done at separate times but within a week or two of each other.

I knew Dad was very unhappy with J.C. Burris and Toby Cooling just before he died 
and he chose to promote Phil Little, so I thought it was my duty to support Phil Little 
because I thought that’s what Dad wanted. 

I loaned Phil all of Dad’s Isshinryu memorabilia and awards and I told Phil I wanted 
Isshinryu people to be able to see Dad’s awards and memorabilia and nobody would 
see them if they were left in boxes in my basement. I told Phil I wanted him to display 
them in his dojo and he agreed; at least that was my understanding. 

I didn’t know at the time that Phil did not have a permanent dojo; he taught his classes 
in an armory building or something like that. So, Phil had all of Dad’s belongings in his 
own basement and only showed it to a very select group. That is not what I had intended 
at all. So, after about 8 or 9 years I asked for all of Dad’s awards and memorabilia to be 
returned to the Long Family; and after a period of time Phil finally did return everything 
to us. It was clear he didn’t want to return the items and he even told me Dad left these 
items to him in his will; but I have a copy of Dad’s will and he says nothing about giving 
all of his belongings to Phil Little. When Phil returned the items to our family he had a big 
event will all of his students present and with great fanfare. My brother Rick and I made 
the trip to South Carolina to pick up the items and before the ceremony Phil asked me to 
sign a statement saying he was just loaning these items back to our family and I would 
return them to him when I no longer needed them. I politely refused to sign this statement 
but I was not surprised that Phil was trying to find a way to hold on to Dad’s belongings 
and historical documents. In fact, Phil returned everything to us but Dad’s original 
10th Dan Certificate awarded him by the IIKA. It took two more years before Phil Little
was finally convinced to return Dad’s 10th Degree Certificate to us. So, that was the 
last straw between our family and Phil Little. We pretty much lost any respect we had 
for him when he pulled those two stunts. 

J.C. Burris and the IIKA have been a big disappointment to me as well, but in a much 
different way. The IIKA is made up of good people. I’ve know almost all of them my 
entire life and personally I like them. 

Mr. Burris I think was very hurt when Dad promoted Phil Little before he died. I believe 
Dad did this because Master Burris and Master Toby Cooling were not actively working 
to expand Isshinryu Karate like Dad thought they should. Dad was so upset with both 
of them that during the 7 weeks Dad lived with me before he passed on he would not 
take a phone call from either of them. I know because I was the one answering the phone 
most of the time. I was working mainly from my home office so I could see Dad as much 
as possible. They would call every few days and Dad would tell me he did not want to 
speak to them; so that’s what I told them. 

Mr. Burris, Mr. True and the other IIKA Board Members are nice to us at the tournaments 
but have refused to join the Harold Long Foundation and as rumor has it they have 
actively advised their members not to join. I think they are still trying to get back at 
Dad for promoting Phil Little. I know that sounds strange but that’s what I think they 
are doing. Why else would that not want to honor their sensei? 

Joe Laney and Denny Shaffer are the other Isshinryu leaders we have been close with.

Joe Laney was very close to my Dad for many years before Dad died. After Dad died 
Master Laney also tried to help Phil Little but it finally became evident that Phil was 
not the man to lead Isshinryu or even someone Master Laney wanted to be associated 
with. Joe is such a good Harold Long Isshinryu man that our whole family became 
very close to him. My daughter Lindsey just got promoted to Green Belt under 
Master Laney and many of the member of the Long Family have taken Karate from 
him including my brother Rick; his daughter Riley; my wife Libby, my son Logan and 
myself. He’s tough, he teaches Karate the way Dad taught it; he runs a very disciplined 
Dojo; and he’s not in it to make money. He has taught all of our family members free of
charge. Joe is also on the board of the Harold Long Foundation and he was a driving 
force for establishing the Harold Long Foundation. Joe also at great personal expense 
organized and ran the first two Harold Long Memorial Karate Tournaments. Joe and 
his wife Debbie have been great friends to our family and we really consider them as 
part of our family. They are just great people.

Denny Shaffer is one of the other Isshinryu Leaders we are very close with. For many 
years I believe Denny is the guy Dad wanted to leave in charge of Isshinryu Karate. 
But then Denny had a huge national fitness business to run and for a few years he 
dropped out of Karate. So, I believe Dad would be very happy that Denny Shaffer is 
once again a major force in Isshinryu Karate and the Harold Long Foundation. Denny 
was always one of Dad’s favorite students.

Others that come to mind are Kelly Markham who Dad told me was one of the best 
fighters he ever had. Dad also admired Kelly for being a good Christian and family man.

I’m sure Dad would be very proud of what the Karate Five has accomplished. I have 
not known Master Mason very well over the years. He is a great person and I have the 
utmost respect for him. I grew up knowing Melbert Lee and Maurice Msarsa very well. 
I have just gotten to know Master Willie Wilson in the past few years and he has fast 
become a good friend. I think Master Wilson provides the kind of leadership Isshinryu
 Karate needs right now. I think Dad would really appreciate the fact the Karate Five
is all about action and getting things done.