winter 2007 - United States Chito-ryu Karate Federation

CHITO-RYU KARATE-DO NEWSLETTER WINTER 2007Celebrate the MemoriesFT. BRAGG HOLIDAYL to R: Back row: Beshears, Dometrich, CollisFront row: Adams, Williams, FoxThe past is sometimes best forgotten but how can it be whenthe past helped to shape our lives today. As often happensfriendships are formed but often drift apart for one reason oranother, however memories are never lost. In early December afew students from the sixties and seventies participated in thecelebration of one of Hanshi and Okusan’s friendships.Charles Williams was once a student with the Yoseikan Honbuand he celebrated his eightieth birthday. Attending thecelebration were Hanshi and Okusan, Sherry Kembre, JerryBeshears, Howard Fox, Gene Adams and Terry Collis. Somemay recognize the names from hearing of the many travel andwar stories of the past. As was mentioned above, the past hashelped to shape today; many friendships have helped to moldwhere we are today and will help to shape our future.Unfortunately, time just keeps on ticking and we often loosetouch, however no matter what the cause of distance that comesbetween people of the past the ties that once boundrelationships are often still in existence and the memoriescannot be forgotten.I grew up with the many of those in attendance at the birthdaycelebration and I enjoyed getting to see everyone from my past.Mr. Williams looked great as did his family, wife Joyce, son Terryand daughters Mickey and Ruth. I remember fondly gatheringat their home for dinner and traveling to Key West, Florida.My family and the United States Chito-kai would like to wishthe Williams family good health and many more birthdays tocome.By: Sherry KembreHombu DojoOn 14 Dec 07, the Fort Bragg Yoseikan had our holidaycelebration. We routinely use the Town Hall Center for ourtraining and expected to use it for the party since it was ournormal day to have the facility. As we drove up to the building,we saw an unusual array of vehicles parked in the lot. Thebuilding was already being used for a military holiday gala. Weall gathered to discuss where we should have the party. TheGabrysiak’s graciously volunteered their home for the occasion.This turn of event couldn’t have worked out any better. Theirhome was beautifully decorated and there was room foreveryone. We all brought an ethnic covered dish to share. Itwas wonderful to see all the different culture’s food mixed ontoone table and it was delicious, too. After we ate, we assembledin the living room and had a kid’s gift exchange. Every childbrought in a unisex gift, wrapped it and left it in a pile with theother gifts. The children then drew numbers to see who wouldbe the first to pick a gift from the pile. All the children weredelighted by the presents they received. Afterwards, all ofSensei Po’s karateka presented him with a gift. He was giventwo heavyweight bags to carry his interlocking mats in. Afterthe gift exchange, Tiffany “Samurai” Byrd played HappyBirthday on the piano for Gary Isaacs while everyone sang. Thecake was cut and we all reminisced over the last year together. Itwas discussed that several karateka and family members are stilldeployed for the holidays. We all wish them the best.The holiday celebration eventually came to an end. We ate,laughed and shared with one another and are refreshed andeager for the next years training. We definitely need to work offall the extra food we ate. Bring it on, 2008!By: Renea DunnFt Bra( YoseikanUNITED STATES CHITO-RYU KARATE-DO FEDERATION PAGE 10