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Favourite Moments with The General
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Jack Martin
June 20, 2002
Colorado Texas Steakhouse
My favourite moment was meeting our Founder at the first seminar back in the seventies when I was just a teenager.
I have been lucky enough to have several moments with General Choi, along with Master Lang where we shared bulgulgi
and kimchi at a favorite Denver, CO restaurant.
However, one of the moments that makes me smile is the time we were celebrating a post testing dinner here in Denver,
CO at a Texas style steak house. This specific steakhouse is known for cutting off the tie of the visiting Guest
who is being honoured. We all didn't know how to explain to General Choi that a female server would be approaching
him with a pair of scissors to cut his tie off and mount it on the wall where he would sign his name from his homeland.
It was quite a discussion between the black belts, and the servers didn't quite understand that we needed to approach
this delicately.
We tried as best we could to explain the concept to General Choi. That this was a custom, tradition and an honour
for the event. He said softly as he wasn't quite sure of the intent, "No custom." We talked a little
bit more about the tradition of a visitor, especially of his status and what an honour it would be to have his
tie on the wall. There was quite a discussion going back and forth between General Choi and the Senior black belts
as the Female Server approached. It was an uneasy moment as General Choi's eyes got a little bigger. I think everyone
in the room was holding their breath, and snip. There was a beat, and she lead him over to the wall where they
mounted the portion of his tie to the wall. General Choi signed it and turned around with a grin, not saying anything,
but if you read it right, it said, "You funny Gringo's." The rest of the night was spent with dining
and the celebration of Taekwon Do.
Yours in Taekwon Do,
Jack Martin, A-3-560
ITF/YOMCHI
Scott Downey
June 20, 2002
The Battery Hotel on Signal Hill
My favourite moment was during General Choi's historic visit to Newfoundland in March, 2001. During his first night
in St. John's, Myself, my wife, General Choi, GM Park Joong Soo, and Master Phap Lu went to the Battery Hotel on
Signal Hill for Dinner.
We sat at a table which had an excellent view of St. John's Harbour. I can clearly picture General Choi sitting
in his chair with his arms folded and a huge smile on his face. He had just finished his meal and was looking out
the window at the beautiful view of the harbour lights and the boats that were docked in the harbour. He looked
very happy and content and was the picture of health.
Now when I think of General Choi I think of this image and it makes me feel many emotions. I first feel a sense
of warmth and happiness knowing that General Choi enjoyed his visit to our province and that I was able to personally
know the legendary founder of Taekwon-Do. Then I feel an extremely strong feeling of sadness and emptiness, and
sometimes anger, for I have lost my instructor and he can never be replaced.
I thank the moderator of this web site for giving me the opportunity to express my feelings in such an open forum.
It can be very theraputic. I am planning on going to North Korea to pay my respects to General Choi. It is the
least I can do for the man who has given me something that helped me believe in myself and helped me to become
the person that I am today.
Taekwon!
Scott Downey, VI th Dan (C-6-19)
President, ITF Newfoundland
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