MILITARY ARNIS SEMINAR APRIL 11-12, 2008 

The third Saturday in October is traditionally the day that the 
football teams from the University of Tennessee and the University 
of Alabama meet on the gridiron field. That is a tradition that is 
respected by all in the athletic field.

The Karate Five have for the past seven years established the second 
weekend in April as our traditional time for our Annual Arnis Seminar. 
The only time this would be changed is if and when Easter Sunday 
should fall on that weekend.

Well, it is that time of the year again. The Seminar is scheduled for the 
second weekend of April…the 11-12th… at our Morristown Dojo. Again 
this year, Grandmaster Lisa McManus and other Senior Instructors will 
lead the training.
 
      
 
For those that are not familiar with Grandmaster McManus, she is also 
the Founder and Grandmaster of Military Arnis. She joined the U.S. 
Marine Corps in 1976. After her service, she got married and went back 
to college. Over the years, she received training in different martial arts, 
and eventually developed her art …a mixed martial art derived from the 
Arts she studied. In 2000, and in collaboration with Colonel Robert 
Beaudoin, USMC, she became an instructor (eventually professor) at 
NROTC, Norwich University. She trains primarily Marine and Naval Officer 
candidates. Training does include Army and Air Force personnel also. In 
her own words:

“  I developed my Art, the Art of Military Arnis, in order to contribute 
to the United States Marine Corps, to be back on the team. It is an honor 
and privilege to serve this great Nation and lead these fine Military 
students at Norwich University.   I am passionate about our Country and 
about my Marine Corps!”


Grandmaster Willie G. Wilson and Col. Mark A. Costa ( U.S.M.C.) ret.
  
At the Karate Five Isshinryu is our foundation. Any skills we gain from 
cross training are incorporated into our Isshinryu techniques. We believe 
that Mr. Long would have concurred to have his lineage associate and train 
with Marines and Marine Officer Cadets.
 
 
 
Training starts Friday (the 11th) 6-9 p.m.  Saturday activities start at 9 a.m.
 (except for a lunch and a dinner break) and continue until 9 p.m. John and 
Virginia Roberts ( Scruggs Bar-B-Q ) will again serve their famous bar-b-q 
for dinner. Recognition and appreciation awards are planned for some local 
dignitaries, as well as, for some Karate Five friends and supporters. We will 
finish the evening festivities with a promotion for one of our Karate Five 
Masters. The cost is $100 per person. Dojo members and dojo friends are 
offering scholarships to some deserving individuals.

                                 “Once a Marine, Always A Marine.”   

                KARATE 5 MILITARY CONNECTION

 Grandmaster Willie G. Wilson served in the U.S. Army.
 Master William L. Mason served in the U.S. Army.

It is interesting to note that, were it not for the Military,
Grandmaster Long would not have been able to bring
Isshinryu back to east Tennessee. On that same note
were it not for the Military ( U.S. Army ) , Master Mason 
would not have been able to bring Shorinryu back to 
east Tennessee in 1966, after having completed a 14
month tour of duty on the island of Okinawa training
under Shorinryu Grandmaster Zenryo Shimabuku.

Since 1968, Master Mason has promoted 13 males to
the Black Belt rank. Of that 13, four were veterans. The
breakdown is as follows:

John Sims         - U.S. Air Force
Richard Stone  - U.S.M.C.
Fred Strange    - U.S. Navy
Albert Wallace - U.S. Army

Of the 6 Black belts that are currently active in the 
Morristown Dojo, exactly half are veterans.  We
believe in the necessity of having a strong military
presence in the world for a lot of reasons. We feel
that if America did not have a strong military, there
are forces in the world who would grind us into the
dirt.