~JULY NEWSLETTER~

Welcome all „Alliance‟ members! A network of family worldwide! All Styles, All Systems, All Ranks.

► Remember "Politics‟ has no place within the "Alliance‟ Everyone has a voice and great ideas. In unison the people/members of the "Alliance‟ enables the "Alliance‟ to be the network it is.

v   ► The "Alliance‟ was not created to be a distraction to anyone's loyalties or current association with other organizations he or she belong. The "Alliance‟ is a supplement to everyone! Though many have and do use it as their sole governing body. This is an individual choice between them. You will never hear from any of our leading officers/representatives/directors downplay of another group or association. This was a practice that took place decades ago in our martial arts world, which is why the "Alliance‟ was developed and hence the name "Alliance‟ was born.

►  Summer Camp; West Manchester, Ohio…open to all martial artists "Alliance‟ and other! A great get away and a summer camp not to miss! For details contact us! usnmat@hotmail.com or call 937-678-4435

► The "Alliance‟ proudly again announces its special friend and member of over a decade…the oldest living active competitor in the world… "Hurricane‟ Herb Mullins. This man is a Tae Kwon Do Black Belt and is 85 years old! He‟s traveled with us around the world! Please read more about this man-legend by visiting our website www.usnmat.net He is inspiration to martial artists around the world! Herb is located in Des Moines, Iowa.

► California….a strong state with "Alliance‟ participation, though we have many members in California several are "stand out‟ Masters/Grand Masters, it's appropriate to give these special men a special thank you and praise:

Always going out of their way to enhance "Alliance‟ growth, membership, & support our projects! Thanks to all of our California membership & a special thanks to you the above.

► A special thank you to Dr. James Webster {Cocoa Beach, Florida} An awesome leader in our world of Martial Arts. Our website is operated by and was designed this leader. His skills are unsurpassed by many and is a man that is loved by many and is respected equally. The portion of our website concerning Kobudo (weapons) Rank is completely controlled by this man.

► Everyone please visit our website www.usnmat.net Check on up and coming „Alliance‟ events, tournaments! Those events that are listed are events we hope everyone will visit. Take a road trip and visit these events! You will enjoy…guaranteed!

v   ► Wishing our "Alliance‟ Vice President Toni McSorley {Knoxville, Tennessee} well. Tornados, high winds & terrible weather has destroyed her area! Countless thousands of dollar damage. After hearing of this awful time and expressing concern, Toni is always upbeat and full of love, a great Christian lady who still chuckled and said…hey it‟s ok, insurance will cover this and we are ok! Unlike some areas of the U.S.A. who had total devastation and deaths along with world disasters…she said compared to other situations we are a simple dilemma that will be ok. This positive Christian spirit from this great leader is inspirational! Still, Toni we all hope for a speedy regroup of all the mess mother nature gave. We are always tested spiritually! Faith is important!

v   ► Sadly missed and our hearts have sorrow. Recently (2) "Alliance‟ members, both strong spiritually and loved by all will be missed on this earth!

These men were each friend of Dr. Jim Thomas and all of our "Alliance‟ members; we will see them in Heaven!

v   ► The "Budo‟ Society is underway with an all new curriculum and agenda. The creator of this project is a man that has won awards out the Ying Yang…Matt Stephan from Ft. Wayne, Indiana. He has taken many countless unselfish hours to create, polish and revitalize this project that is most awesome! Hats off to you sir!

(2) New members will soon receive this Honor in official fashion {T.B.A.}! Others perhaps will be in time. These new candidates up for this award are…

#1. James Cook {Tennessee}…Those of you who know the "Cookie Monster‟ and or remember him of the past know this man has 50 plus years experience and recently retired from the Army with Combat Honors!  Oosu!

**Each of these men were past "Trias‟ members and still wear the U.S.K.A. patch!

v   ► Respect; wow, have you ever 1st hand witnessed arrogant out of line men or women who attend events as judges/referees who have absolutely no business being an official? I would like to share an experience that says a lot of some competitions available. Recently I visited an event that was local in my area. I had a few students who wanted to go to a tournament and though it was not an "Alliance‟ event still it was close and I have always wanted to support others, with the perhaps the possibility of recruiting all new "Alliance‟ future participation. I have known the tournament director for 40 plus years as we use to compete with each other in the "prehistoric‟ days (LOL). {I was proudly wearing my U.S. National team warm up suit from our last team event held in Mexico.} The tournament event was rather small and they fought to find judges to help as there were not a lot! So it came time for Black Belt Forms and the tournament director running around frantic, set up the Board of (5) for Forms. A young lady in her 20‟s was all set to be the center ref…All of a sudden my old friend said hey Jim I know you‟re talking to your students and other instructors but would you Honor this division with being the Center Judge? I said sure…so I walked over and took the center seat. As soon as I sat down I hear a "LiL‟ girls voice who said; "Hey you, move to the end I'm the center judge!" In flip flops and shorts she was disgusted I took "her‟ seat! She looked at me and said look I have been in the arts for 14 years and I don‟t know what you were thinking taking my seat. My response was…I looked at this kid who isn't even as old as my hand pads I still use in class and said "Wow, 14 years! I'm sorry"…well that calmed her down and I had a disgusted "smile‟ on my face. The division began and after the 1st competitor of (6) did their form the director came running over and said to me "Why are you sitting at the end?" and I said because she told me she‟s a Master and been doing the Arts for 14 years! He knew my disgusted smile….I'm old but I guess my disgusted smile was the same (LOL). So he halted the next competitor and asked the this kid with 14 years in the arts to step aside and talk to him. She became white as white could be in the face, she looked at me and motioned for me to take center, she was visibly embarrassed. I said no sweetheart you‟re a Master of 14 years remember? She struggled through the other (5)!

v   ► All new…as many of you have heard, The International Unified Martial Arts "Hall of Fame‟ is underway by an International Board of Directors. The first gathering will be in "Jamaica‟ in November! If you have not received information via mail please contact us! As we want you part! This will be a most awesome event! Leaders worldwide will be present! Also a fun (1) day competition available too! A great inexpensive get away! (5) days in tropical paradise! Though it's summer now….tropical is not that appealing. However wait until November and the beach and warmth will be appealing! Contact us now! Everyone if you‟e not yet received your details via mail contact us!

v   ► Welcome some of our all new International Alliance members & their students they have also registered!

 We delight in our International "Alliance‟ membership

v   ► Thank you, Herb Weller {Indianapolis, Indiana}…this man is "Soke‟ ranked and has many decades of martial arts experience! "Soke‟ Herb Weller is not only a martial arts instructor but operates an investigation firm in Indiana. Dr. Jim Thomas has been under his hand for a couple years as a Licensed Private Investigator! Recently "Soke‟ Weller has promoted Jim to the title as Licensed Undercover Agent with a more broad scope of Law and issued the Licensed Title of Sgt. Major. "Soke" Weller has taken many hours to also process a confirmation letter signed by the President of the United States of America recognizing his devotion to the world of martial arts {an apparent passion of the president}! Thank you "Soke‟ Weller!

v   ► Welcome back and active a lady Dr. Jim Thomas has known for a hundred years! Jane Van Paepegham {West Virginia}. This lady is a retired Law enforcement police officer and has also spent her life involved with the arts. She‟s active now again with the "Alliance‟ and is a true leader! We are excited to have any, all female leaders part of our network! She is definitely a leader and we welcome her back active with the "Alliance‟!

v   ► We always welcome new memberships. However, many do not realize we are picky! Not political…but picky…we always delight and need our members and their students to belong, this is how we grow. This is how we afford to host projects and more…we need you, all of you tell a friend…instructors encourage your members to belong. Our "Alliance‟ application is available on our website www.usnmat.net you can download applications and send in.

 Phoenix, Arizona; 32 year old male sent his "Soke‟ fee check, 15 years experience…application returned.

 Little Rock, Arkansas; 40 year old, 20 years experience, applied for University Doctorate with 8th Degree Rank request, check returned.

 Cleveland, Ohio; 22 year old, training time unknown, wanted rank in Bruce Lee Style, said he would send any amount needed! He was denied!

Yes, this happens often! We are not interested in selling out! The "Alliance‟ it's Instructors, etc…etc…need memberships to grow BUT NOT like that! So we depend on you! All of you, tell your classmates join. Instructors encourage your members to join…Help us grow "The Right way‟  

v   ► Hats Off! Dr. Walt Krawiec, M.D. our Board member and "Alliance‟ New Jersey Co-director. This man is a Peter Urban student and educated man! It‟s so powerful to have such a man like Walt part of our network! Dr. Krawiec has his members regularly send in "Alliance‟ memberships, all his students! That‟s awesome! Thank you Sir!

v   ► Speaking of New Jersey! Our friend Dr. Austin Wright Sr. …this man operates several martial arts schools, teaches in education in New Jersey school system and has a most powerful school of champions and dedicated student force! He encourages all his members {beginners as well} to join the "Alliance‟…WOW! This man and school supports all our events or as many as possible. This man will run circles around all of us…back and forth 24/7! Not only a friend to Dr. Jim Thomas and all "Alliance‟ members he also represents the arts in a most passionate way! If you ever want a lesson in hustle he's the man!

v   ► "OMG‟ we all know some schools travel and some schools REALLY travel! This man from White House, Tennessee, Scott Wrenn, is not only a top notch teacher but he has proof. His skills "wow‟ a top rated competitor in any arena! And all his traveling students are also proof of his skills as a leader. We are proud of this young man and his most awesome "Alliance‟ activity…being the best is his middle name.

v   ► Success, we all have difficult times in our school(s)! Well at least most do! This next "hats off‟ goes to a man who went from having a school to a great business and most honorable! Adam Snipes {Kentucky}! He is the director of Kentucky for the "Alliance‟ and has a powerful message! He has an event September 17th! We will be there! Please support him! As well he's created a machine that holds boards, bricks for breaking! Soon this will be featured on our site. He will market this invention of his! Take him serious as he's a most awesome man and we are proud to have him part of our family.

v   ► Points, "Alliance‟ Competition….it's all known our network allows all "Alliance‟ members a point chase, if you {members only} compete, turn in your points! You will be listed on our site. (2) men take care of this; Master Tom Cleaver and Master Steve Franz. Carefully these men tabulate and communicate to keep all points leaders in check and listed! To see how you stand visit our site www.usnmat.net! If you are not an active "Alliance‟ member your points are not counted. A great reason to either join or renew if needed. If you have questions on your points call Master Tom Cleaver 765-419-2905.

v   ► Since our last newsletter several have had a lot of personal drama; divorce, separations, etc…and some have asked for us to write about it! Sorry we will not, this is personal…but for all of you going through these personal hardships we feel for you! And coming from a pro in this area Dr. Jim Thomas, his words are "Keep your chin up"! Surround yourself in your schools not the "clubs‟. Things do happen for a reason and though sometimes we can't understand? God does! Live right and be all you can be and it will be ok!

v   ► Thanks to all members concerned for Dr. Jim Thomas during his recent medical struggle. Though all is stable and he is back to himself, he suffered a series of strokes. How? Why? What? So his visit & stay at the VA Hospital was to stabilize him. Meds for high blood pressure & cholesterol were issued, wasn't working correctly so many other visits resulted in tests that required the Neurology part of the hospital to run extra tests. It was found that he has cancer cells inside his brain and spots multiplying came out in test results. So radiation was given, taken and will hopefully dissipate this problem. This problem compounded a series of strokes, so with modern medicine and the power of Prayer all will be ok. He feels good, does all now as normal with headaches, but not unbearable. Doctors feel it's caught early enough that in no time all will be normal…fingers crossed! We wanted to explain these details as many knew of this situation and many of our members alarmed! So please don‟t be alarmed…all is good…if it was real bad we would share. Jim's functioning normal…just busy trying to catch up on a few months of back due projects and more! He‟s catching up now! With a "LiL‟ prayer for a great quick recovery! Again all is good! He hopes to see and talk to all at the next event!

  D► Do you have anything….projects or things going on in your schools…over achievers, and students you are proud of? Want to share the story? Write us usnmat@hotmail.com we will post it in our next newsletter approximately (3) weeks. The next newsletter will come to all "Alliance‟ members in a newspaper format…soon a magazine format! As previously announced! We are excited! Let's grow, share your wisdom…everyone!