April 6,2013
My Story about Tae Kwon Do what it has done for me in my life.
I was asked by a close friend Bruce Dempsey to come with him to join in and start to take Tae Kwon Do. It was August 26, 1980 2 days after my birthday. I thought what a good birthday present.
When we went there there was a lot of students that I knew. Mr. Marshall & Master Wood to name a few.
The one thing I remember back then was when I was doing # 2 three step I was pumped up and I got my knee a little close two the student I was sparing with and made contact with his nose.
As I received my Temp Black Belt I was helping teach classes with Mr. Marshall & Master Wood at the YMCA in Washington. We had a meeting with Master Jung about starting out on our own starting a new Dojang in Mt Pleasant. That was a good experience learning what it takes to push your personality out there to get accepted by the community.
Master Jung was there for support and help to get us started. He set up the goals for us to make and the time frame to do it in. So the challenges were there. But I now know that what made Master Wood and I push to do anything we could to make this work. Seeing students come in and stay to make their goals become something that they were very proud of. To get their own Black Belt.
What I know and remember the most about Master Jung was the way he could see into your heart to see what you didn't even know about yourself. He would give you the little love tap or just the touch on the shoulder to make sure you were encouraged to give your all.From your first time when you take your white belt test. And you line up to get your dobok signed by Master Jung and that could be the first time you meet him. That smile and the look when he is putting your name on your dobok.
It's something that you never forget.
When we become a Black Belt we find out that at test and at demo's and
tournaments when Master Jung want's something done there was only one thing to say Yes Sir. But that is what made all this work. At the same time we made a friendship and a new family that will hold the test of time.
I will never forget this time in my life. I know it made me different and better and for that I will always be thankful.
