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Attention all Black Belts, past and present, please mark your calendars.I will be holding a special Black Belt session on Saturday, February 4th, 2012 from 12:00 noon to 1:30 PM at our Lyndhurst Location. All Black Belts are welcome to attend this session, including both active and nonactive Black Belts. This session's objective will be the relearning and standardization of forms for those who have been away, though I can promise you we will also be catching up and having some fun doing it. A guaranteed "no guilt" session! See you there! Respectfully, Master Ted Beltavski Email: masterted@tandtmartialarts.com Mobile: (440) 552-7635
On behalf of T&T Martial Arts, Ltd. I am excited to announce the return of the PointMaster Sparring Program (TM) in 2012!This program, originally founded by myself (Instructor Aaron Di Blasi) and my sister (Instructor Melissa Di Blasi) back in 2005 enjoyed 4 years of competition spanning multiple T&T Locations before we set down the torch to widen our martial arts perspective sometime in late 2009. Well I am excited to announce that Master Beltavski has approved my return to re-light that torch, and bring the PointMaster Sparring Program (TM) back to life at T&T once again. PointMaster Sparring Program (TM) The PointMaster Sparring Program (TM) is a T&T Martial Arts, Ltd. Certified Traditional Taekwondo Sparring Program taught by Instructor Aaron Di Blasi that takes place completely inside the ring. In other words the PointMaster Sparring Program (TM) is both a class, and a tournament. While you will indeed be taught how to fight using Traditional Taekwondo techniques, you will be taught while fighting another competitor inside the ring, each time, every time. PointMaster is a performance-based program. This means that each of your fights will be scored, these scores will be kept running, and the results will decide the finalists in the PointMaster Sparring Program Finals at the end of each year. As in the past, along with bragging rights, those that make it to the Finals and win can look forward to taking home a coveted "PointMaster Championship Fighter" T-Shirt. Program Dates: The 2012 PointMaster Sparring Program (TM) will convene for its first session on Thursday, February 16, 2012 from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM at our Lyndhurst, Ohio Location. 2012 PointMaster Sparring Program sessions will follow every third (3rd) Thursday of the month thereafter. Same time. Same location. Future sessions may be added as the program expands. Stay tuned. PointMaster Sparring Program (TM) Replaces Fight Night: Please note that the PointMaster Sparring Program (TM) will replace Fight Night at our Lyndhurst, Ohio location beginning on Thursday, February 16, 2012. The PointMaster Sparring Program (TM) will now be the recommended sparring curriculum for all T&T Martial Arts students. Sign-Up: Any T&T student wishing to participate in this or any future PointMaster Sparring Program (TM) session will need to thoroughly read, print, and sign a PointMaster Sparring Program (TM) Rules and Regulations Form and bring it with them to their first session. Please Note: No student will be approved to fight without putting this form in my hand and each competitor will be expected to know, understand, and be able to reiterate these rules upon request, prior to stepping into the ring. For the safety of all PointMaster competitors, this will be enforced without exception. Age Requirements: The PointMaster Sparring Program (TM) is open to T&T Students of all ages, however, no child under the age of 16 is permitted in the dojang during a PointMaster Sparring Session unless they are accompanied by a parent or legal guardian that is 18 years of age or older. This will be enforced without exception. 16 and 17 year olds may have their parent or guardian speak to Instructor Aaron Di Blasi to attain written permission to attend a PointMaster Sparring Session without their parent or legal guardian present. Gear Requirements: All PointMaster Fighters will bring with them to each PointMaster Sparring Session the following items, or they will not be permitted to fight in the session: Required: *Certified Sparring Head Protection *Mouth Guard (Fitted) *Shin and Instep Guards * Gloves Optional: Forearm Guards Chest Protector Wrap-Up: If anyone has any additional questions please feel free to email me directly. To everyone that has fought alongside me in the past I want you to know that I have sincerely missed you, and for those that have not yet had the experience of PointMaster I look forward to fighting with each of you on Thursday, February 16, 2012! Respectfully, Instructor Aaron Di Blasi, Sam Dan Email: aaron.diblasi@tandtmartialarts.com
T&T Martial Arts, Ltd. is excited to announce the introduction of the Perfect Circle (TM) Submission Wrestling Program in 2012.This new program, spearheaded by myself, (Master Theodore Beltavski) will become part of the 2012 T&T Curriculum beginning Monday, January 16, 2012 at our Lyndhurst, Ohio location. The Perfect Circle (TM) Submission Wrestling Program uses the art of submission wrestling as a core self-defense and athletic structure around which other high level martial arts such as Judo, Rohndo, and Taekwondo are used to compliment and enhance your self-defense knowledge and athletic performance. This wrestling-centered, holistic approach to martial arts is part of a growing trend in both the athletic and self-defense communities, amongst both teens and adults, and not just here in the United States, but around the world. So for those of you that feel you are ready to begin putting all of the pieces together, I invite you to join me, as we search for the Perfect Circle. The Perfect Circle (TM) Submission Wrestling Program is available to adults and teens age 16 or older only. The schedule will be as follows: East, Lyndhurst, Ohio Location Mondays, 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM Saturdays, 11:00 AM to 12:00 Noon West, Middleburg Heights, Ohio Location Tuesdays, 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM T&T Students will pay no additional tuition for this program. Students that wish to enroll in the Perfect Circle (TM) Submission Wrestling Program but cannot commit to becoming a full-time T&T Student may contact me directly for tuition information. Respectfully, Master Theodore Beltavski Email: masterted@tandtmartialarts.com Mobile: (440) 552-7635
Greetings Everyone,Well it has been another tough year for all families economically, as the country struggles to recover from the latest recession. Student participation at T&T declined in 2011, mirroring the economic downturn. Even against these challenges we will continue to be diligent and offer high quality leadership and instruction at our school. We haven't had a tuition fee increase in several years, but to help all T&T students, and their families, the decision has been made NOT to increase tuition for the 2012 year. It will be important for all students to be timely in submitting their tuition. As always, monthly installments are due by the 10th of each month. For all students on the annual payment plan, these rates will also remain constant. The 2012 annual fee is due by January 10, 2012. Thank you all for your assistance. 2012 is looking to be a busy and exciting year at T&T! Respectfully, Master Ted Beltavski Email: masterted@tandtmartialarts.com Mobile: (440) 552-7635
Bullying is a state of mind in many ways. The bullying mentality is a weak perspective. Preying on those deemed weaker or less fortunate is the normal bullying mode. Physical harassment, cyber gossip, tasteless jokes or intimidation are all examples of behavior used by bullies.In response, each person must choose the best path, put forth the best persona, to prevent becoming a target. Our Tae Kwon Do training teaches us to have a humble attitude while exuding a quiet confidence. We learn these things in martial arts through indomitable spirit and our increased physical strength. But, as I stated previously, martial arts training is not the only way to develop this persona. I personally use meditation and prayer to find inner peace. Prayer is talking to God...meditation is listening to God. We must have both to grow in humility. I began this training with just one prayer per day. From there it has grown. With this growth has come a heightened awareness of others and a true beginning of inner spiritual peace. I believe that when a person is solid in their prayer/meditation life, the soul increases in humility,building inner peace and strength. This strength allows you to place others first and instantly takes you off the target list for bullying. The emotions brought on by bullying are based on the fear of humiliation. Spiritual training prepares a soul to accept all other attitudes while drowning out the whispers of embarrassment. Deep peace within a soul allows for strong physical training, a humble and loving attitude, an increase in performance and self confidence based from personal spiritual training. May each of the students also know a true beginning to inner spiritual peace. Respectfully, Master Ted Beltavski Email: MasterTed@TandTMartialArts.com Mobile: (440) 552-7635
It is a great feeling to come together. The Fight Night Sessions have been a very important resource for many students. Aside from the wide variety of fights that are taking place, there is also a noticeable improvement in the students that have been attending. The exposure to these different fighting styles is having an impact on each person. Remember that when summer is in the air, and the training conditions become harder to bear, don't stop training, just train smarter. Make sure you stay hydrated and keep your bodies in shape for this kind of training. Sparring especially can take a toll on your body in this heat. Some of the Fighters that have been attending these sessions are participating after a full class. Keep your mind focused and take the time to eat properly during the day. Keep cool liquids with you when you are training and make sure you are pacing their intake. The June Fight Night Session will be June 23rd at 7:00PM at the Lyndhurst School. See you on the floor!, Melissa Di Blasi Sabumnim, Lyndhurst School
We have worked very hard to clean and redesign the layout of our Lyndhurst Dojang to accommodate more training space and refresh the feeling of our Discipline House. We need all of our Students, Parents and Instructors to maintain this layout and make the upkeep of our school a paramount priority. If we work together to maintain these rules, our Discipline House will always show our dedication to our School Code. I am also proud to announce the creation of a "Lobby Area" for our parents and students to sit, wait, work, and converse with other parents. This area was designed to accommodate privacy in the locker rooms with the addition of curtains in each locker room doorway. These curtains need to be closed at all times to allow for privacy in the dressing rooms. Please enjoy this space, and use it to its full potential. Let's come together as a team and as a family and make our hard work show. Not just through our kicks and punches, but through our attitudes, and our dedication to making our training environment top notch every time we open the door. Respectfully, Master Ted Beltavski Email: MasterTed@TandTMartialArts.com Mobile: (440) 552-7635
Our Tae Kwon Do training brings us into a balance. Our preparation gives confidence, both mental and physical. Physical, emotional, and spiritual all become blended as technique unites our purpose. Once we are physically and mentally prepared, we are free from fears of inadequacy and harassment and we feel quietly confident. We learn to respect ourselves, others, and life more deeply. As humility develops from the sense of loving and placing God and others before ourselves, we have the ability to evaluate a situation and act accordingly, without ego.We are taught from an early age to walk away from trouble. But that is easier said than done. Until we learn the true meaning of inner peace and humility, walking away can be an embarrassing or even humiliating experience. Once we learn the strength of placing others first, we have truly mastered the Art of Self-defense. This humility is not found only through Martial Arts training. In my next installment, I will discuss another way to come to the true meaning of controlling emotions and understanding how to defend your soul. Consider these thoughts as we continue this path. Respectfully, Master Ted Beltavski Email: MasterTed@TandTMartialArts.com Mobile: (440) 552-7635
Bullying can affect us in three major ways: physically, emotionally, and spiritually. In our last discussion, we reviewed Moo Do, or inner peace. Inner peace, again, is the feeling of emotional and spiritual safety. With the inner peace we learn, we protect ourselves internally. Today, I'll discuss some of the emotional aspects.The self defense of our emotional well-being starts with the peace of understanding our Way. This is a key Martial Arts principle. When we're bullied through intimidation or fear we need to understand that the ability to walk away without feeling that we have failed is vital. It is knowing our Way. In Tae (To kick or destroy with the foot) Kwon (Fist) Do (Way), we learn discipline and courage. As we've discussed in class, bullying is someone intentionally causing pain, emotional or physical. One thing I want everyone to understand is that bullying comes in different forms. The obvious way is inflicting physical pain. Our Way helps us know what to do so we don't get physically hurt. Some people enjoy the confrontation but most don't. Training ourselves to know our Way in this world puts us in the state of mind to accept the Way of the aggressor. By understanding both sides, the need for defense by conflict is removed. We don't have to prove a point or lash back because in most cases people have no idea what to do. That fear of embarrassment is paralyzing. What we want is emotional peace and confidence to be ourselves. We need the inner strength to know we are always prepared for any situation, we must believe that our Way can handle it and is appropriate to use. Truly knowing the Way takes time and is what we will discover through these messages. Let us remember together how important this concept of peace, strength and knowledge of our Way really is to your life. We want to be happy, to help and love others, to feel secure in all we do. But most importantly in this world today we don't want to be in fear of situations with others that cause stress and anxiety. These issues arise for people of all ages, each and every day. It is my vocation to share the wisdom I have gained through the years of Martial Arts training to allow you to practice the principles which will lead to this peace, tranquility, confidence and most importantly humility. I realize these words are being read by many of my students, parents, and others. It is my hope that you will share your thoughts and feelings with me as we take this journey. Respectfully, Master Ted Beltavski Email: MasterTed@TandTMartialArts.com Mobile: (440) 552-7635
Over time, we’ll be reviewing the concept of self-defense in a number of ways. The key is defense of "self". Defense of self begins not with the physical but with the idea of defending your emotions against what the world brings. We’ll learn a strengthening of emotions and reactions is at the core of self defense.Our martial art of Tae Kwon Do teaches us to relax, stay calm, and be at peace. Too often, people think that lashing out or striking is the best defense. What they don’t realize is that there is a price to be paid for that rash choice. You will be affected either way, but you have the choice of how to respond to attack. The emotional baggage you might pick up at that moment can come back to haunt you. It is vital to learn to be able to act in the correct manner or even to simply walk away. This initial lesson is my way of helping prepare our children and families to respond to bullying. I have learned that across America, 9 out of 10 children are affected by bullying in some way. I want to help all T & T students learn the proper steps to take in these situations. It is important to me that all of our children learn the concept of ‘moo do’ or inner peace. Each of us needs to feel emotionally and spiritually safe in order to have that inner peace. Having learned "moo do" our children can be the peacemaker. TKD brings out the best in all our students, absolutely. Now, we shall begin the work together to help all students and families find this peace. Respectfully, Master Ted Beltavski Email: MasterTed@TandTMartialArts.com Mobile: (440) 552-7635
Dear T&T Parents and Students,I would like to announce that going forward into 2011 T&T will be offering an advanced training class for Black Belts and approved colored belts over the age of sixteen. The class will be offered concurrently with the O-Dan training sessions. This is typically the fourth Friday of each month at Middleburg Heights beginning at 6:30 PM. Advanced training will include submission, joint leverage, footwork, advanced self-defense, advanced forms training, and time for Q&A with Kwon Jang Nim. All questions on technique ,form standardization, and new technique introduction will be addressed on a consistent monthly basis. This is an important time, once per month to meet with and perform for Master Ted. The goal is to have a monthly forum for growth, questions and school standardization. All eligible students are encouraged to attend as often as possible. Respectfully, Master Ted Beltavski E-Mail: MasterTed@TandTMartialArts.com Mobile: (440) 552-7635
Dear T&T Parents and Students,I want to take this time to congratulate everyone on an exceptional summer of martial art training. Our school has been active for several decades and the summer of 2010 has registered the largest class attendance on record! This is a testament to your dedication. The focus all of you have displayed toward your goals of a healthy active lifestyle while increasing martial art ranking is inspiring to all. As the late summer/early fall begins we'll see a return of many students from vacations and other summer activities. An important note to everyone during this time, take advantage of all types of classes. We have offerings which focus on a variety of martial art topics. Some stress fighting/self defense. Classes on fundamental technique are scheduled. We also have several classes that focus on fitness and giving all students a tremendous physical challenge. Talk to the instructors about these topics and make sure you vary your training. Every class has a certified T&T instructor, make use of the opportunity to grow in your training. The T&T Martial Arts fall programs will be going strong at Lyndhurst, Middleburg Heights, Laurel School, Hathaway Brown School and Ruffing Montessori School. Additionally we are close to an announcement for another location opening soon. This program will be located on the west side. Overall the school is closing in on 600 students and we continue to grow. With the overall growth I am considering adding some additional classes at certain locations based on need. I will evaluate the attendance logs and keep the school student base up to date. An important note to remember... Formtoberfest will be held at the Lyndhurst dojang on Saturday, October 23rd 2010 beginning at noon. All students working toward black belt promotion must remember that promotion is not eligible without tournament participation of some kind. This fall's Formtoberfest is your next opportunity. I want to finish this school update with some more good news. Based on our strong student base and the high integrity of people submitting their tuition in a timely fashion we are able to hold tuition fees at the current rate for 2011. This means the students who opted for an annual fee for 2010 will remain at the 2009 rate and the monthly students will continue at the 2010 rate. Thank you all so much for your diligence in keeping the school in a good position. Here's to a great academic school year for all our families. Juniors need to study hard and parents need to recover from a busy summer! God Bless and I hope to see you all soon. Respectfully, Master Ted Beltavski E-Mail: MasterTed@TandTMartialArts.com Mobile: (440) 552-7635
Dear Students:I am extremely proud to share with you the following excerpt from a recent communication I had with Sam Dan, Beth McCluskey. Please read on. Master Ted Beltavski It was exciting to take my Army Physical Fitness Test last Sunday, April 18th. I knew I was prepared because I've regularly attended Monday night class & Saturday morning (Kevin's Black Belt Class). Both these classes have been challenging all of us physically & I can really appreciate it! This test is standard for the active Army as well as the Army Reserves. The test consists of 3 events: In order to max each event (get 100% for a total of 300 points), I must (as a 46 year-old female) get the following score: The following was my score. Each event was a personal record for me (on an extended scale that would put my score @ 373): Again, if it weren't for my consistent training in TKD I could not have achieved this. Thank you, CPT Beth McCluskey, Sam Dan 256th Combat Support Hospital
Greetings T&T Parents and Students,This is a reminder that as of Friday, April 16th, all students wishing to participate in sparring during the 6:00 PM - 6:30 PM session of PointMaster on the 1st and 3rd Friday of the month in Middleburg Heights will be required to wear a protective mouthpiece. This is to minimize the risk of injury. Students who do not have a mouthpiece will instead receive instruction on forms, fitness, or basics from 6:00 PM - 6:30 PM. As always, adult and junior students who have sparring gear are welcome and encouraged to participate in the 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM session of PointMaster. Students without sparring gear are encouraged to purchase it. Sparring is an important method of practicing self-defense skills and a key component of our martial arts training. Sparring with light and controlled contact is a required part of advanced rank and black belt promotion. Recommended gear includes a helmet, mouthpiece, shin and instep guards, and gloves, as well as a protective cup (males). Gear can be ordered by contacting Master Beltavski, or online at a number of websites such as martialartsmart.com, amazon.com, etc. If there are any questions, please feel free to ask Master Beltavski or any of the T&T instructors. Respectfully, - Tad Fitch, Cho Dan - Jackie Fitch, Cho Dan
I felt it important to communicate with all T&T family members regarding some upcoming changes for the calendar year 2010.T&T prides itself on putting the interests of the students first, and this we will continue to do. Our policy of letting all students train on a month-to-month basis, and therefore not requiring a fixed, long-term contract, will continue. This benefits the students, as they have the freedom to pay tuition as they train, but at the same time this arrangement can, at various times of the year, severely strain the financial position of the school. Beginning January 1, 2010 school tuition payments will be processed in the following manner:
Currently a student pays tuition at a fee of $85/month. To keep this rate the student will pay ($85/month)X(12 months) = $1,020 on or before January 15, 2010. If the student elects to pay monthly the new 2010 monthly tuition rate will be $95/month due on or before the 10th of each month. Example #2: Currently a family with multiple students pays $150/month. To keep this rate the family will pay ($150/month)X(12 months) = $1,800 due on or before January 15, 2010. If the family elects to pay monthly (assuming two students from this family) the new 2010 monthly tuition rate will be $170/month (an increase of $10 per month per student). There has not been a tuition increase at T&T Martial Arts for more than four years. T&T will continue to work to keep our overhead costs under control to ensure that tuition remains manageable for all students and families. I felt it important to send this information several months in advance so that everyone can plan accordingly. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me directly at (440) 552-7635 or masterted@tandtmartialarts.com. Respectfully, - Master Ted Beltavski E-Mail: MasterTed@TandTMartialArts.com Mobile: (440) 552-7635
Barbara McClain is a Green Belt who trains with her two sons Ryan (Red Belt) and Alex (Yellow Tip).Dear Master Beltavski, Please share this with the other Masters. Alex is so very proud of himself and his Yellow Tip and that he broke 2 boards dead center at his testing on August 4th 2009. He has not stopped talking about it; and he has sent emails to all of his friends and his physicians at Cleveland Clinic. As I was saying the boy whom I was told would be "a lost soul in a useless body" is anything but that. The medical team put "Divine Intervention" in his medical record because they just could not explain why anymore. When he was born; his brain was completely crushed; the only thing you saw on the MRI was the Fluid in his head and his skull. They told me IF his brain re-expanded it would not function due to the severity of his Hydrocephalus. So there you have it. He has defied all the odds. Ryan is just as excited about his Red Belt; and spent a good hour and a half on the phone last night with his friends and dad telling everyone about it. His confidence and focus have improved greatly with your classes; he is taking less ADD medication now because his training is helping him with in area as well. This is what learning a Martial Art is all about; I can see your success in both the boys every day of their lives. Thank you, Barb McClain
I gratefully provide all of you with MY FINAL ARTICLE. I hope they have been as fun to read as they have been to write. I thank all of you for the opportunity to contribute to the T&T Website.Getting Short When someone nears the end of a deployment, they get called "short". I am now officially short and I'm looking forward to redeploying back to the United States. This is my final blog from the desert and it's hard to believe that my seven months of deployment are coming to an end. I should rotate out of the AOR in the middle of June (fingers crossed) and hope to be back in Cleveland by July. It has gone by quickly. I still remember many experiences from my first deployment 18 years ago (God, I'm getting old). Likewise, I can say that there are things I've experienced on this deployment that I will take with me my entire life. I am convinced that the hardship of being separated from family and friends is sometimes worth it when the cause is worthy. Serving your country is one of those causes. I am also convinced that no matter your politics, we must all support our troops unconditionally. It no longer matters how we got here or even why we got here. That fact is, we are here and we have many young Americans 'in the breach' that REQUIRE our support... both while they are deployed and when they return home. We can never forget that each of these 'kids' (yes, many of them are just that) have seen and experienced some of the horrors of war and they need to be made whole again when they come back to us in the States. I would say the BEST part of this deployment are the relationships I've made here... some with people I hope to keep in touch with and some with people I may never see again. Some of them Army and Air Force and Navy and Marines. Some of them Coalition Forces like Brits and Aussies and Canadians and Georgians and Poles and Lithuanians and Bulgarians and Dutch. I've been lucky to have had the opportunity to work with MANY of our Coalition Partners while here and it is always interesting to see how, as the shared experiences go up, the communication barriers come down. The shared experience of serving your country in the military is something that cannot be explained. If you've never experienced it, you'll never fully understand or appreciate it. Unfortunately, good experiences in a war zone are almost always accompanied by bad ones. There have been experiences here that will haunt me forever. The faces, the stories, the sounds and the sights of war are not enjoyable. It's not glamorous, it's not kind, it's not fair and it's not pleasant. As a whole, I've observed that we tend to use humor to compensate for the sometimes terrible toll war takes on us. I guess the old saying, if we didn't laugh we'd be crying, really holds true in a war zone. Unfortunately, sometimes even the laughter doesn't help. Those are the loneliest of days. Looking back, I think I'll take the little things with me from the desert. A hot cup of coffee; Sleeping indoors; A good cigar (even if it is accompanied by a 'near-beer' - yuk); The feeling after a long run; A hot meal; Opening a card or letter from home; A good 'lift' at the gym; The taste of homemade cookies (even if it took them two weeks to get to me); A hot shower; The trivial pursuit competition 14 hours into your eight-hour 'shift'; A cold bottle of water on a hot desert day; Sharing a laugh and even sharing a tear with someone who really understands what you're feeling; Yep, it's the little things I've come to appreciate here, and it's the little things that I will miss when I leave this place. Cheers, Dave David W. Box CDR, SC, USN Deputy Mission Director CDDOC - Current Operations DSN: 318-430-5222
A Rare PrivilegeI had a rare privilege last week. Most people go through their life without ever having seen the Medal of Honor, let alone meeting a living recipient of that award. I was traveling to Iraq and met three gentlemen in an air terminal awaiting their flight. There was nothing 'special' about these gentlemen, other than the fact that they appeared to be a little older then the average soldier. As it turns out; these gentlemen were VERY special as they each were recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor. For those who don't know a lot about the Medal of Honor, it is awarded to those who, while members of the military, "...distinguishes himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against any enemy of The United States". The Medal of Honor is not an award that is awarded lightly. In fact, in most cases, the Medal of Honor is awarded posthumously because the member gave their life in order to save others. Right now, there are only 105 living members of the exclusive fraternity of Medal of Honor winners. The term "HERO" is thrown around way too often in our society. We make heroes out of sports figures and celebrities merely because of the way they play a game or because of how they look or how much money they have. We raise them to 'elite' status. So, what should we look for in a "HERO"? I know we need to be selective in the people we select as our heroes. For me, I think a hero is someone who serves others. For me, I think a hero is less concerned with their own needs and more with the needs of those around him/her. For me, I think a hero is a person who shows the strength of character to do the right thing. With respect to these three gentlemen; they are ordinary people who did extraordinary things. In the heat of unbelievable terror, they found the strength, character, and courage within, to perform unimaginable feats. Please don't misunderstand my words. I'm not saying that you have to risk your life to be a hero. What I am saying is that you have to possess the strength and courage to do the right thing. That strength comes in many forms. It can be the teacher who spends extra time with a struggling student. It can be an emergency response professional who rushes into a building while others are rushing out. Or, it can be the soldier, sailor, airman, or marine who risks their own life to save others. Ironically, if you meet a recipient of the Medal of Honor you would never know of their heroism (because they won't tell you about it). They are ordinary and unassuming. They laugh and joke and live regular lives... in effect they are much like you and I. However, the depth of their character is not easily measured. Fighting and sacrificing they faced the pain, the danger, and the horrors of war and yet they persevered. They saved the lives of those around them, sometimes buddies, and sometimes total strangers, without regard for their own safety. They are HERO's. I've attached a picture taken of me with the three Medal of Honor recipients I was privileged enough to meet. It was taken in the cargo bay of an Air Force C-17. Cheers, Dave David W. Box CDR, SC, USN Deputy Mission Director CDDOC - Current Operations DSN: 318-430-5222
After writing and erasing and rewriting this letter a few times, I've discovered that my days are quite boring!!!In fact, it reminded me a great deal of the movie Ground Hog Day, with Bill Murray. Every day, I get up and trek across the desert to my office where I spend anywhere from 12-15 hours monitoring every movement into and out of the AOR (please see the last installment of the DB Chronicles for a definition of "AOR"), which equates to hundreds of airlifts, thousands of passengers and thousands of tons in cargo. While the job I do is important, fast paced and exciting, it is in fact, pretty much the same thing every day. Luckily, I do get to travel quite often for work and I enjoy that very much. The Place This is an ugly and harsh environment. There is not much 'beauty' in this place. The desert is a hard location in which to live and it wears on the people who call it home. It's certainly not what I expected. There are no tall drifts of sand and the sand is not like sand as we know it. It is more like a talcum powder. When the wind blows here, the desert 'sand' creates an effect that looks like brown fog. The 'fog' gets into EVERYTHING wreaking havoc on both people and machinery. Spending time outdoors means being covered in powder and breathing becomes difficult. I was told prior to coming here that baby-wipes would become my best friend. After my first sand storm I understood exactly what that meant. Going out in a sand storm means taking a baby-wipe bath when you come back in!!! There aren't many roads here because the desert is mostly rock with a light covering of sand, so in essence, the entire country is a road. From the air, you can see tire tracks that go off in all directions with little rhyme or reason and people set up camp wherever it suits them. The temperatures range from 30's in the winter months to 120+ degrees in the summer (OUCH!). The People Who Live Here There are two groups of people who inhabit this part of the world. The first group is much like we are. They are a proud people who respect their past, their religious beliefs and their country a great deal. They work hard to support their family and while they may look at life a little differently then we do, there are many similarities. Unfortunately, there is also the second group of people here whose sole purpose in life (in their somewhat twisted mind) is to bring terror to people they see as less then human. The problem lies in the fact that you can't tell one group from the other. I've had the great misfortune to see first hand the 'work' done by this second group of people and I can tell you without any reservation that it has altered my life. I will carry the memories of the devastation created by these people forever. While it has affected me deeply, it also serves to strengthen the resolve to continue doing the work that needs to be done here. The People I Work With To a Sailor, the term "Shipmate" is a compliment meant to explain the shared experience of sailing together during fair winds as well as in harsh seas. To be called a Shipmate means to have earned the respect and admiration of someone who has been to sea and endured the hard times along with the good. Like most jobs, it's the people that make the difference. In my case I work with some TRULY GREAT people. I don't say that about many folks, but these people are very special to me and to our country. I've had the privilege of meeting and working with some of the most professional, dedicated, and intelligent people the military has to offer. I'm stationed at a Joint Command, which means that the folks who work here come to us from all branches of the military. I work with Navy, Air Force, Army, and Marine Corps officers and enlisted ranks. These are some of the greatest individuals I've had the honor to serve with in my 18+ year career. They are my Shipmates and I cherish my time with them. Cheers, Dave David W. Box CDR, SC, USN CENTCOM DDOC/BLDG 505 Camp Arifjan APO AE 09306
Greetings everyone.I just visited the T&T Website and found a section called, "The Dave Box Chronicles", as well as a rather scary looking guy you selected as the "Student of the Month" for Middleburg Heights. I was shocked and awed (a little military humor). My head, bloated by this new found stardom, began to think that it might be interesting to write about "a typical day in the life of CDR Box" for the next Volume of the "DBC" (as I've now coined the Dave Box Chronicles to all my fans -- OK, just my wife and daughter, but its a start). Not sure if that would be an interesting read, but I thought it would be an interesting writing experience. As I began writing that email, I realized that I speak "militareaze", a dialect that most sane individuals would not (rightfully so) understand. So, I'd like to start this piece by explaining the definition of some of the many military terms, slang, jargon and vernacular. Here it goes...
Cheers, Dave David W. Box CDR, SC, USN CENTCOM DDOC/BLDG 505 Camp Arifjan APO AE 09306
Greetings everyone.Sorry I haven't touched base with you prior to now, but things are moving rather quickly right now... about three months worth of stuff crammed into three weeks of training! I've attached some pictures of the "Combat Black Belt". The gear I am wearing is called the Individual Battle Armor (IBA) and weighs approximately 70 pounds. My shoulders are worn out, but I'm getting used to wearing it all the time (it will be my best friend in a few weeks). A lot of people have already asked what I'm wearing on top of my kevlar helmet... it is a pair of goggles for operating in the sand (it has a protective sleeve over the lenses). The tempo here is high, but it is also typical military... alot of "hurry up and wait". I have alot of early mornings and alot of late nights... I am enjoying the training and I'm happy to serve our country. I should be in the Middle East in the next few weeks. My address there will be: CDR Dave Box, USN CENTCOM DDOC/BLDG 505 Camp Arifjan APO AE 09306 It will take approximately 10 days for mail to reach the Middle East and I'll be able to receive mail any time after 16DEC. Please feel free to pass the address along to my classmates at T&T. Please pass along my well wishes to all who are testing this week. I miss you all. Cheers, Dave
For those of you that have not yet met him, Mr. Dave Box is a Black Belt out of our Middleburg Heights Location, as well as an active Officer in the United States Navy.Beginning here with Volume 1, we will be chronicling Mr. Box's current tour of duty here on the T&T Website and within the T&T Times. Greetings from the Middle East, Well, the adventure begins. I am in the Middle East attached to the Navy's Central Command (CENTCOM). CENTCOM is the command responsible for fighting the war here, Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). Life here is good. I am immersed in my job, working long days with little to no time off. Its alot of hard work, but because things are so fast-paced here, the days pass quickly. I have been taking pictures to document my tour, but have not had the opportunity to download them to my computer. As soon as I do that, I will forward some new pix to you. I've been trying to work on my E-Dan forms every chance I get, but time is limited. I try to do something every day, even if its a few minutes while taking a break at work. I understand from the T&T Website that tonight (18DEC07) is the T&T Christmas Party. Please pass along my wishes for a very Merry Christmas to all T&T students and their families. I am proud to serve our country but being apart from family and friends makes this season a little tougher. God has truly blessed us and I'm happy to be here to help keep my family free and safe from attack. Folks here accept gunfire and explosions as a "way of life". We are here to ensure the folks at home never have to accept that! Merry Christmas, CDR David Box, USN CENTCOM DDOC/BLDG 505 Camp Arifjan APO AE 09306
After many meetings, reviews, and demonstrations of technique the highly skilled Cleveland Police Academy officers recommended T&T, and specifically the Rohndo Program, be added to their existing unarmed self defense curriculum for cadets and in-service officers. The recommendation was approved in late October by the upper echelon of the police department. Our participation will begin in November of 2007. It is an honor and my privilege to work with these fine and very highly qualified professionals. I look forward to the "real world" lessons ahead as well as the ability to continue to propagate our Rohndo Training. Respectfully, - Master Ted Beltavski E-Mail: MasterTed@TandTMartialArts.com Mobile: (440) 552-7635
Attention All Lyndhurst Location Tuesday and Thursday StudentsDue to a steady increase in the number of students attending our Lyndhurst Location's Tuesday and Thursday classes, I have decided it is time that we institute a few changes, especially for our junior students, which can now comprise one third to one half of our Tuesday / Thursday attendance at Lyndhurst. In addition to having a large number of adult students, Tuesday and Thursday evenings at Lyndhurst are also home to our PointMaster Sparring Program, therefore it is especially prudent that we institute guidelines which will guarantee the continued flow of these classes. All students please note, beginning Tuesday, October 16th, we will institute the following guidelines:
Respectfully, - Master Ted Beltavski E-Mail: MasterTed@TandTMartialArts.com Mobile: (440) 552-7635
The T&T students of Cleveland State University send greetings to the rest of the T&T Family!Our new CSU family members have demonstrated fantastic spirit and tremendous improvement in a very short period of time. Motivated and proud to be a part of the T&T Family, our new CSU students are a most welcome addition! Respectfully, - Master Ted Beltavski E-Mail: MasterTed@TandTMartialArts.com Mobile: (440) 552-7635
Beginning with the Fall Semester of 2007, all beginner and advanced TaeKwonDo Programs will be taught through the Physical Education Department by T&T Martial Arts, Ltd. Head Instructor and 4th Degree Black Belt Antoine Washington, a recent CSU graduate, will assist me on all instructional levels. Additionally, the admistration of the Physical Education Department of CSU are impressed with the T&T Rohndo Program and we are currently in negotiations to offer a future curriculum in the MMA/Grappling Arts. CSU is also considering having T&T Instructors offer Self Defense Seminars to their faculty. The T&T Family continues to grow and prosper. As you know Master Kim taught at CSU for many years and his exemplary reputation was instrumental in assisting T&T in this negotiation process. Other exciting programs are currently being considered. Watch the T&T Times carefully, as we expect another major announcement concerning the growth of our schools in the very near future! Respectfully, - Master Ted Beltavski E-Mail: MasterTed@TandTMartialArts.com Mobile: (440) 552-7635
Now that the first month of our organizational transition is coming to a close I can honestly say it has been a resounding success!Thank you so much to everyone who has helped us to navigate such a smooth process. Now, we're on to the next step. It's time for all students to officially register as members of the T&T Family! Included with this announcement is an Informational Packet (for easy printing, you can click on the thumbnail image to the left to open the Packet in PDF format) which includes the following for each T&T Student to fill out & submit:
I thank you all for your attention to these matters. As we continue to work diligently to improve our Martial Arts Training, the efficiency of fee collection will be vital to each school's performance and overall operation. Respectfully, - Master Ted Beltavski E-Mail: MasterTed@TandTMartialArts.com Mobile: (440) 552-7635 |
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