Dana Johnson
June 23, 2002
Two Moments
I had the fortune of being involved with the Legacy CD-Rom project in 1997. During a break in filming, General
Choi saw me doing side kicks and came over to fix my technique. He didn't leave me alone until he was completely
happy. Needless to say my leg felt like falling off. He said "Kick to me nonstop, again, again, again....
OK fixed." I have a week's worth of behind the scene's footage, never before published, of that project in
Banff, Canada.
Also I was honoured during a seminar in New Brunswick, Canada when the General said to me, "...I see you many
times, many seminars..." So you know what I talk about. I was proud and after that year, broke... But it was
worth all the tea in China.
Master Meek
June 23, 2002
Japan Experience
One memory I would like to share is both a great one and also frustrating. I think back now and it never fails
to bring a smile to my face.
I was active duty in the Air Force at the time and just received orders to go to Japan. It was 1977, I was just
married and we were on our way to a foreign land. At the time I was a 2nd Dan and I was just three months shy of
being eligible for testing to 3rd Dan. We were attending the 2nd World championships in Canada and my Instructor
had arranged a meeting with General Choi at his home while there. It was my first meeting with the General. I was
in awe, to say the least!
My instructor knew I was leaving and surprised me when he asked the General if he could test me prior to my departure.
Gen. Choi approved this and congratulated me and informed me that I would be teaching the first authorized school
in the country of Japan! He even gave me an official letter with his "han" affixed authorizing me to
teach and test through 1st degree black belt. I was overwhelmed! I started teaching within weeks after arriving
and had a great school going for four years! During my stay there is when I also joined the USTF and one day, now
Master Sereff called me and informed me that the General was bringing a demonstration team to Japan for the first
time and that he would be calling me. I got the call and Gen. Choi asked if I could find some boards for the breaking
demonstration. Of course, I jumped at the chance to help.
My senior student at the time was only a green belt and he and I purchased the wood, cut it to size, banded it,
and got train tickets to Tokyo for the day of the demo. We lugged four stacks of boards (about 25 per stack) all
the way, changing trains several times and finally getting to Tokyo. Got a lot of funny looks along the way from
the Japanese people wondering why we were lugging this wood around! We literally ran trying to find the place where
the demo was supposed to be and we finally found it, took the elevator to the floor and was walking down the hall
and just as we reached the door, General Choi came through with the demo team following close behind. He saw me,
smiled and I asked where he wanted the wood. He very calmly stated that they just finished the demo and did not
need the wood and that I could take it back for my class to use! I apologized all over myself for not getting there
in time and he was very gracious and told me that the demo went well even without the breaking! He thanked me again
for getting the wood and told me he was proud of me for taking the time to do it and that he hoped my class was
going well. He also told me that there would be an official Master coming to Japan soon to open an ITF school,
but that I had the privilege of having the first in the country. He then went on his way and we left to go back
to the base. No, we did not carry the wood all the way back! Sorry if this is long, but it is one of my fondest
memories.
THE FOUNDER: Favourite Moments with the General
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