OUR "MOO DO"™ CONNECTION - THESE ARE THE REASONS WE STAY IN THE MOO DUK KWAN™

At first I wasn't going to write anything concerning this photo other than to say, what a wonderful reunion and meeting of lifelong friends. These are the reasons why I've been connected to the MOO DUK KWAN™ for close to 40 years now. Here we are in this simple photo taken in Sokcho City Youth Gym during the 60th Anniversary Celebration of the MOO DUK KWAN™, my very first exposure to this art was in 1966, through my original instructor Mr. Michael Masley, Jr. (RIP), Dan Bon #10180. Since that time I've been fortunate enough to maintain a connection of lifelong friendships and a Jehja relationship with these two instructors, including my present instructor who could not make the trip to Korea, Alex Baran, Sa bom Nim. I arrive and can only hope to link up with fellow practitioners and former instructors. And I do... the best part was connecting with my first SOO BAHK DO™ instructor Donnelly Sa bom Nim and again connecting with my TANG SOO DO™ instructor, Vangas Sa bom Nim (The Designee for the Puerto Rican SOO BAHK DO™ MOO DUK KWAN™ since December 1997) for the first time in Korea for this anniversary event and feeling an unbroken connection that started back in 1966. Unfortunately my only regret is not sharing this moment with my original instructor Mr. Michael Masley, Jr. I will admit that I thought about his presence while I was standing next to these two role models that I have had over the years and having the honor of proudly calling them "Sa Bom Nim". This is the unbreakable "MOO DO"™ Connection, the gift from our Founder, the late Great KWAN JANG NIM, HWANG KEE.

My former instructors, on the left, James Donnelly, Sa Bom Nim #14436; Pedro Vangas, Jr., Sa Bom Nim #15552, Designee for Puerto Rico; and myself. At the 60th Anniversary Celebration in Sokcho City, Korea.