Holiday Greetings

Holiday Message From the AIMAA President

Dear AIMAA Members:

Greetings for this holiday season. It is a season for kindness, a season for peace. It is a time to come together with family and friends, sharing warmth and compassion. As I reflect on the events and experiences of this year, 2017, the events which stand out are those which were shared by our AIMAA family members. We came together in November for our Black Belt Testings, and it was a great pleasure to see our AIMAA Masters, Instructors and students from different parts of the world.

On November 19th, AIMAA HQ hosted the 2017 International Black Belt Test, and we are honored to announce our new AIMAA Master, Master Stephen Hall. AIMAA also welcomes three new 5th degree black belts, Manjit K, Kalcutt. Geoffrey D. Chapman. Keith Fowles, all from Master Kalcutt's school in the U.K. We proudly acknowledge our new 3rd degree black belts from AIMAA HQ: Cathy Arcalas, Brian J. Manlanaphy, Emily Chen and Rick N. Kazman. We wholeheartedly congratulate these individuals for their dedication and years of commitment through which have earned these high levels of accomplishment. We also acknowledge the many other members of our association who attained their black belt ranking during this past year. To all, well done!

AIMAA is truly a world family. We support each other as members of a family, we celebrate one another's achievements and we strive to encourage and uplift one another in times of sadness or hardship. For over 35 years, it is this family structure which has characterized our organization. It is a feeling of unity and acceptance for the diversity which exists in all forms. We are from many backgrounds, many regions of the world and hold many different positions within society. Yet, amidst all of this diversity, unity prevails. It is for this reason that we have come together throughout the years in Summer Camps, International Testings and everyday classes and training. It is for this value of unity that I envisioned and formed our AIMAA organization.

I am very fulfilled when I see the deep spirit of unity express itself in the friendship between students, the respect between students and instructors and the dedication between our members and our organization as a whole. This commitment is clearly demonstrated with the arrival of our devoted members, traveling halfway around the world to participate in only a few days of training and events.

As 2018 approaches, we set our sights on progress. AIMAA stands for action, and it is through each of our actions that the bright future of AIMAA will come to be realized.

I look forward to the development and growth which is structured day by day through each of our members and through each of our AIMAA schools worldwide. We are committed to unity and harmony, and are strengthened by our support for one another.

I wish to thank all AIMAA members for your continued support and wish for the further development of unity in the year ahead.

May health, peace and prosperity prevail within your homes and for all on earth. Have a warm and wonderful holiday season with health, happiness and prosperity in the New Year!

Grandmaster Hee Il Cho
President/Founder AIMAA

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Grandmaster Cho is Grand Marshal!
View Photos from Hawaii Kai Christmas Parade