(Reprinted from The Connection,
newsletter of the Soo Bahk Do Moo Duck Kwan Federation, Winter 2007)
It has been said, the greatest
teacher is experience, and once again that has been proven to be
true. On Friday 08 September 2006, I had a tremendous opportunity to
join Kwan Jang Nim Hwang, Arthur Pryor, Sa Bom Nim and William
Johns, Sa Bom Nim on a special visit to see Mr. Walter Okarah, one
of the Moo Duk Kwan’s most exemplary practitioners, when Kwan Jang
Nim flew in to Region 4 and personally presented him with his Sa
Dan
certification and a new Ko Dan Ja belt. Many members may not know
Mr. Okahara as his ability to travel during his Soo Bahk Do career
was extremely limited; however, his spirit and energy knew no
boundaries. Mr. Okahara was of Japanese descent, born in Hawaii. He
served our country proudly as a US Marine, and spent time in Korea
during the Korean war. He loved this country and he loved the Moo
Duk Kwan. He began his journey to Ko Dan Ja at the age of 53, in
1986. Despite many debilitating health issues, most of which would
keep a normal person house-bound, he trained several times a week,
beginning his lessons with William Johns, Sa Bom, in Homestead, FL.
After hurricane Andrew devastation, he continued training with
Chuck Miley, Sa Bom. There were few students and even fewer
prospects for new students. However, as is his character, he
remained loyal to Johns, Sa Bom by saying, “I owe it to my Sa Bom
Nim to keep the Moo Duk Kwan alive in Homestead.” Even after the
Homestead studio closed he continued his training under David
Tenedorio, Sa Bom, in Cutler Ridge, FL. He remained active in
that dojang until just recently, when it became nearly impossible
for him to attend the studio. Kwan Jang Nim observed that the
existence of the Federation made it possible for this loyal and
dedicated practitioner to continue his Moo Duk Kwan training even
as the studios where he trained changed. When serving as Regional
Examiner for Region 4, and now as the Chairman of the TAC, I've
had the honor of reading many essays written by candidates for Dan
Classings and all that I have ever read from the Homestead or
Cutler Ridge studios gave significant recognition and credit to Mr.
Okahara for his contributions and support of the candidates in
preparation for their Shim Sa. The accolades for Walter Okahara
just flowed. He was that kind of person… Mu Sang in his presence,
Yu Sang in his impact. He touched many lives in Region 4 and not
just physically, but spiritually. I recall his E Dan Shim Sa. In
spite of crippling arthritis, he insisted on attempting the
required twin foot jumping kick for Kyok Pa. Regardless of his
physical limitations, he was not going to settle for demonstrating
anything less than his best effort. His effort was legendary and he
did successfully complete an alternate break. Two years ago, at a
Region 4 Shim Sa, many regional seniors gathered in the lobby,
discussing the weekend’s events when Mr. Okahara spotted us. Hardly
able to walk, he came to us, and ceremoniously and humbly bowed to
each of us in rank order. I was embarrassed. It should have been us
going to him and initiating the bow, even though he was our Junior
in rank. I regret that day more than most in my life. We tried to
find a way for Mr. Okahara to attend a portion of the Ko Dan Ja
Shim Sa held in Mobile, January, 2006 and on behalf of the Region 4
leadership, I initiated conversations with Kwan Jang Nim about how
we might do this. We talked, shared emails, and carried frank
conversations to new levels for me. Kwan Jang Nim was rightfully
concerned about protecting the integrity of the Ko Dan Ja rank, but
not just for those who earned it through the renowned difficulty of
the week, but for Mr. Okahara, if he was to become a Ko Dan Ja.
Kwan Jang Nim reminded me of the responsibility of making decisions
based on the ‘good for the Art; good for the Practitioner’ model.
We did not reach a workable solution for the 2006 Ko Dan Ja, but we
learned much about the philosophy so important to our Kwan Jang Nim
and to the Founder. In July 2006, Mr Okahara’s health turned worse,
and once again on behalf of the Regional leadership, I renewed
discussions with Kwan Jang Nim regarding a way to for Mr. Okahara
to achieve his Sa Dan rank. Again, Kwan Jang Nim gave us the
opportunity to grow by exploring how we might initiate such a
unique action. He spoke with me, Pryor, Sa Bom, the SAC and the
entire TAC to determine the best way to recognize Mr. Okahara’s
achievements and contributions. Mr.
Okahara modeled our Philosophy of Yong Gi in every action. He was
the epitome of Discipline and Respect, showing us how he valued
that at the Region 4 Shim Sa two years ago. His Technique was so
much more than physical, it was spiritual. He transcended the
body, and moved to the mind. His body couldn’t work like the rest
of us, but he taught us every day. We finally agreed that his
extraordinary lifelong dedication to the education of the
membership and his character and determination warranted an
immediate personal visit by the Kwan Jang Nim to his hospital
room. We met at the hospital that Friday with Tenedorio, Sa Bom and
Michael Ramirez, Sa Bom (both peers of Mr. Okahara). We entered his
room, dressed in Do Bok. Kwan Jang Nim spoke of the legacy a man
leaves behind. Mr. Okahara’s family was there as well, and it was a
moment that deserves to be recognized as truly human. Kwan Jang Nim
read Mr. Okahara’s Sa Dan certificate, presented it to him along
with a Ko Dan Ja belt and in that moment Walter Okahara became the
Moo Duk Kwan’s most honored Sa Dan Master to date. It was our Art’s
highest moment of honoring our past and recognizing the
contributions of such a dedicated member practitioner. Then William
Johns, Sa Bom, Mr. Okahara’s first instructor, wrapped his Ko Dan
Ja belt around Master Okahara and asked him to carry it with him to
his next home. Some smiled, some cried and all were deeply moved in
this moment of our Five Moo Do Values converging in this room.
Master Okahara was surrounded by his Kwan Jang Nim, his first
instructor, his Seniors in the Region and his peers… this is our
art’s History. He was so honored that although he had proudly
served in the US Marine Corps, he asked to be buried in his Moo Duk
Kwan dobok, and requested that Federation members attending his
funeral wear their dobok as well. This is how special the Moo Duk
Kwan was to him, and how special he was to the Moo Duk Kwan. Sadly,
he passed away Monday, 11 September, surrounded by his family and
close friends and although that was the last time we saw him,
Master Walter Okahara lives on in the many hearts he touched and in
the Moo Duk Kwan’s unique history as his exemplary energy shaped
it.
A United
States Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan Federation Certified Karate School.
Pyong Ahn Institute is affiliated with the Arts
Community, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting
cultural activities in our community for 25 years.
certification and a new Ko Dan Ja belt. Many members may not know
Mr. Okahara as his ability to travel during his Soo Bahk Do career
was extremely limited; however, his spirit and energy knew no
boundaries. Mr. Okahara was of Japanese descent, born in Hawaii. He
served our country proudly as a US Marine, and spent time in Korea
during the Korean war. He loved this country and he loved the Moo
Duk Kwan. He began his journey to Ko Dan Ja at the age of 53, in
1986. Despite many debilitating health issues, most of which would
keep a normal person house-bound, he trained several times a week,
beginning his lessons with William Johns, Sa Bom, in Homestead, FL.
After hurricane Andrew devastation, he continued training with
Chuck Miley, Sa Bom. There were few students and even fewer
prospects for new students. However, as is his character, he
remained loyal to Johns, Sa Bom by saying, “I owe it to my Sa Bom
Nim to keep the Moo Duk Kwan alive in Homestead.” Even after the
Homestead studio closed he continued his training under David
Tenedorio, Sa Bom, in Cutler Ridge, FL. He remained active in
that dojang until just recently, when it became nearly impossible
for him to attend the studio. Kwan Jang Nim observed that the
existence of the Federation made it possible for this loyal and
dedicated practitioner to continue his Moo Duk Kwan training even
as the studios where he trained changed. When serving as Regional
Examiner for Region 4, and now as the Chairman of the TAC, I've
had the honor of reading many essays written by candidates for Dan
Classings and all that I have ever read from the Homestead or
Cutler Ridge studios gave significant recognition and credit to Mr.
Okahara for his contributions and support of the candidates in
preparation for their Shim Sa. The accolades for Walter Okahara
just flowed. He was that kind of person… Mu Sang in his presence,
Yu Sang in his impact. He touched many lives in Region 4 and not
just physically, but spiritually. I recall his E Dan Shim Sa. In
spite of crippling arthritis, he insisted on attempting the
required twin foot jumping kick for Kyok Pa. Regardless of his
physical limitations, he was not going to settle for demonstrating
anything less than his best effort. His effort was legendary and he
did successfully complete an alternate break. Two years ago, at a
Region 4 Shim Sa, many regional seniors gathered in the lobby,
discussing the weekend’s events when Mr. Okahara spotted us. Hardly
able to walk, he came to us, and ceremoniously and humbly bowed to
each of us in rank order. I was embarrassed. It should have been us
going to him and initiating the bow, even though he was our Junior
in rank. I regret that day more than most in my life. We tried to
find a way for Mr. Okahara to attend a portion of the Ko Dan Ja
Shim Sa held in Mobile, January, 2006 and on behalf of the Region 4
leadership, I initiated conversations with Kwan Jang Nim about how
we might do this. We talked, shared emails, and carried frank
conversations to new levels for me. Kwan Jang Nim was rightfully
concerned about protecting the integrity of the Ko Dan Ja rank, but
not just for those who earned it through the renowned difficulty of
the week, but for Mr. Okahara, if he was to become a Ko Dan Ja.
Kwan Jang Nim reminded me of the responsibility of making decisions
based on the ‘good for the Art; good for the Practitioner’ model.
We did not reach a workable solution for the 2006 Ko Dan Ja, but we
learned much about the philosophy so important to our Kwan Jang Nim
and to the Founder. In July 2006, Mr Okahara’s health turned worse,
and once again on behalf of the Regional leadership, I renewed
discussions with Kwan Jang Nim regarding a way to for Mr. Okahara
to achieve his Sa Dan rank. Again, Kwan Jang Nim gave us the
opportunity to grow by exploring how we might initiate such a
unique action. He spoke with me, Pryor, Sa Bom, the SAC and the
entire TAC to determine the best way to recognize Mr. Okahara’s
achievements and contributions. Mr.
Okahara modeled our Philosophy of Yong Gi in every action. He was
the epitome of Discipline and Respect, showing us how he valued
that at the Region 4 Shim Sa two years ago. His Technique was so
much more than physical, it was spiritual. He transcended the
body, and moved to the mind. His body couldn’t work like the rest
of us, but he taught us every day. We finally agreed that his
extraordinary lifelong dedication to the education of the
membership and his character and determination warranted an
immediate personal visit by the Kwan Jang Nim to his hospital
room. We met at the hospital that Friday with Tenedorio, Sa Bom and
Michael Ramirez, Sa Bom (both peers of Mr. Okahara). We entered his
room, dressed in Do Bok. Kwan Jang Nim spoke of the legacy a man
leaves behind. Mr. Okahara’s family was there as well, and it was a
moment that deserves to be recognized as truly human. Kwan Jang Nim
read Mr. Okahara’s Sa Dan certificate, presented it to him along
with a Ko Dan Ja belt and in that moment Walter Okahara became the
Moo Duk Kwan’s most honored Sa Dan Master to date. It was our Art’s
highest moment of honoring our past and recognizing the
contributions of such a dedicated member practitioner. Then William
Johns, Sa Bom, Mr. Okahara’s first instructor, wrapped his Ko Dan
Ja belt around Master Okahara and asked him to carry it with him to
his next home. Some smiled, some cried and all were deeply moved in
this moment of our Five Moo Do Values converging in this room.
Master Okahara was surrounded by his Kwan Jang Nim, his first
instructor, his Seniors in the Region and his peers… this is our
art’s History. He was so honored that although he had proudly
served in the US Marine Corps, he asked to be buried in his Moo Duk
Kwan dobok, and requested that Federation members attending his
funeral wear their dobok as well. This is how special the Moo Duk
Kwan was to him, and how special he was to the Moo Duk Kwan. Sadly,
he passed away Monday, 11 September, surrounded by his family and
close friends and although that was the last time we saw him,
Master Walter Okahara lives on in the many hearts he touched and in
the Moo Duk Kwan’s unique history as his exemplary energy shaped
it.