The holiday season is a good time to reflect on the past year. We often make plans for the coming year and resolve to improve in the areas that we feel need improvement. During this time we also give thanks for our blessings, the relationships we have and the new ones that are forming.

At Pacific Rim Martial Arts Academy we are fortunate to have many dedicated and sincere instructors. Most of them have been involved with Pacific Rim for over ten years. The benefit of this longevity is that not only the continuity of training but also the instructors trust each other and work together as a team. Consequently the Taekwondo class is stronger than it has ever been and the Hapkido class is growing. Students are learning as well as clearly enjoying themselves. It is exciting to see the Aikido program develop into one of the best with which I have been associated.

Our connection with Pennsylvania continues to be strong. Master Wilson is approaching his healing by being optimistic and positive. Our prayers are with him, his family and his students in his gallant fight against Leukemia.

Master Underhill has been traveling regularly, to Pennsylvania, lending his expertise to the Black Belt Academy as requested.

Jim Thompson, our Texas connection, attends seminars as his schedule allows and he continues to be very supportive of W.O.M.A.F.

Master Morgan’s program, in Portland, has remained consistent as does Mr. Lekas’ program at Portland State University. Both instructors have students who have been with them long enough to be strong and worthy of the belt promotions they have worked so hard to receive.

It is always delightful to see Master and Mrs. Sutter, from Idaho. They recently attended the Fall Instructor Seminar with one of their star students. They, too, have a strong, solid program in Boise.

While there are many martial arts organizations, the fact that WOMAF has maintained a core group of member schools for such a long period of time speaks volumes. It indicates that the instructors of WOMAF are pleased with the instruction they receive from the senior Jul Sol Kwan Hapkido instructors.

Our 2008 plan for Pacific Rim is to reinstitute the Judo program. Mr. Michael Martyn has agreed to over see the program. He was a strong judo competitor and has trained with some of the best judoka instructors in Canada and Japan as well as around the USA. He is respected by members of Tokai University in Japan and there are plans to bring different students from that excellent training facility to the U.S. for seminars and training.

We are excited about the plans for 2008 and we are thankful for the support we have received through out the past year. President Kim is spending more and more time in Korea he is also encouraged by the development of the different WOMAF programs.

I wish you and your families a happy holiday season and health and happiness in the New Year.

Merry Christmas,

Master James R. Garrison
V.P. World Oriental Martial Arts Federation

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