To all that were present it was another truly blessed night. Everybody came together as family once again and it was a very successful banquet. Ea Dan Helen Espinoza with the help of Master Eric Jones ensured that logistically wise everything was set up and took all the pressure off of me again which was wonderful. They did a great job. Sam Dan Joey DuPuis as usual did a great job of emceeing the event and made sure it ran smoothly with lots of laughs. Master Jimmie Samuel guided us all with some very spiritual words and opened many of our eyes and hearts with a wonderful sermon that we all needed, we thank him deeply for that.
It was a family united and not divided which cannot be duplicated this year. Chodan Oscar Dominguez drove all day to get there and we were proud of his effort. This was a tough year for everybody to get out and do things so we respect all that couldn’t be there and look forward to the next time we can all meet.
We also found out that Sam Dan Joey DuPuis will be headed downrange in March to serve his country in a deeper capacity by doing a tour in Afganistan and we wish him all the luck and a speedy and safe return in these tough times.
Another email will be following shortly with our yearly results. I just wanted to echo again how proud I am of my friendship with each and every one of you. GrandMaster’s Balmos, Smith and Kaminski do the same.
The following accolades were presented at the Tang Soo Do Karate Association’s Banquet on 4 Dec 09.
BLACKBELT:
- Blackbelt Competitor of the Year – Master Mike Hornsby
- Senior Blackbelt Competitor of the Year – Grandmaster Clarence “Daddyo” Smith
- Blackbelt Instructor of the Year – Grandmaster Larry “Lars” Kaminsky
- Blackbelt of the Year – Master Dan Walthers
- Chodan Shayn Kaysing received the Junior Assistant Blackbelt Instructor of the Year award for TKA
Special awards were given out to Blackbelt who traveled furthest:
- Chodan Oscar Dominguez Jr.
- Sam Dan Joey DuPuis
- Grandmaster Lars Kaminski
- Grandmaster Clarence Smith