Master Instructor of the Year 2006

INTERNATIONAL BLACK BELT HALL OF FAME

Dennis Lawson was inducted into the International Black Belt Hall of Fame as Master Instructor of the Year for 2006.

It all started in April in the Netherlands...
That was our first trip to the International Karate Championships. I wanted JJ, Lela, John, and Lena to meet my friends and colleagues in Europe. Lines of communication opened. New friendships were established and a small conspiracy developed. JJ Simon had talked with John Ward about getting together when John and Pat went to Pittsburg for the Eastern U.S.A. International Black Belt Hall of Fame gathering. Ideas never remain on a small scale with this group! John asked if I would accept his nomination to the Black Belt Hall of Fame. Over the years, I've learned that when someone you respect and care for decides to honor you, --- Just Say Thank You!

Our group returned to Delmarva, after the Netherlands, and went straight back to training. My time filled quickly with a trip to Dublin (see Dublin Roots) and another invitation to travel in December. I hope to write about the December trip in another report. John and I stayed in touch before the Dublin trip. We talked a time or two after Dublin to solidify the arrangements for Pittsburg. The Eastern U.S.A. Black Belt Hall of Fame event was even better than I imagined. Again, we had an entire group attending, as did John and Pat Ward.

The seminars allowed us a diverse experience of the martial arts from Kendo and Chi Gung to the Chinese Fan (see pictures). John had introduced our group to a method of striking and activating various Chi meridians in Utrecht, The Netherlands. I received another lesson or two in Dublin, with the help of Dessie and James McMenamin from Derry, Northern Ireland. We had a chance to work with both Dessie and James in Pittsburgh, as well. We were also pleased to work with high-ranking martial artists like Bernie and Cliff Witcher of Donegal and England respectively. John also introduced me to Mr. Lawrence Day PhD. who regaled me with stories of Ed Parker in the early days and working with him at Elvis Presley's home --- Graceland. We met so many nice people; I can't possibly mention all of them.

The inductees, due to time constraints, were unable to make an acceptance speech at the event. This is my acceptance speech for my induction into the International Black Belt Hall of Fame as Master Instructor of the Year for 2006.








ACCEPTANCE SPEECH --- INTERNATIONAL BLACK BELT HALL of FAME
MASTER INSTRUCTOR OF THE YEAR 2006


I would like to thank the members of the International Black Belt Hall of Fame and especially my dear friend, Dr. John Ward, for the great honor of this induction and the title of Master Instructor of the Year for 2006. In more than 30 years as a martial artist, I've been called sifu, sensei, and sabumnim. I've been a Tactical Master instructor for CDT in Law Enforcement and the Master of Ceremonies for the International Karate Championships. Yet, in Ed Parker's Kenpo, mastery is a verb, a process, of renewal and consistent improvement.

I have two experiences of true mastery; I'd like to share with you. The first is from my mentor, Ed Parker. I was privy to a conversation he had with a group of teachers from another system. Of course, they referred to him as Master Parker. I knew, as always, he was uncomfortable with being called Master. Finally he said," LOOK there is only ONE MASTER, and HE hasn't come back for us yet!" Mr. Parker will do just fine." Ed Parker, a world-renowned genius in the martial arts, took his frustration and channeled it in a positive way giving his testimony as a Christian.

My other Mastery story occurred at Mr. Parker's funeral. After the service, I was stacking folding chairs with my friend Shirley Hancock. An older Oriental/Hawaiian gentleman was helping us. Shirley and I went over to thank him and introduce ourselves. This was how I came to meet Professor Wally Jay! The founder/ innovator of the Small Circle Jujitsu system, and if I'm not mistaken, a recipient of the very honor I'm receiving tonight, stacking chairs at his friend Ed Parker's funeral.

As I slowly progress toward Personal Mastery, I'm thankful to have these memories of great men, images of what a true Master can be.
Ladies and gentlemen --- thank you for this honor --- Mahalo!

By: Lawson