Dear A.I.M.A.A Members,

It is always a great honour and privilege for me as European Director to attend and teach at any A.I.M.A.A event. As a senior student of Grandmaster Cho I take immeasurable pride in representing him through my teaching and hope that at those events that Grandmaster does not attend I can go some way to passing on his message of traditional, spirited and honourable martial arts.

One such event was the recent European Summer Camp which was held on the beautiful island of Jersey. I would like to firstly thank the Camp hosts, Mr Robbie Fernandez and Miss Monika Markowska. Both are fantastic A.I.M.A.A Instructors who are building a strong and fruitful A.I.M.A.A community on the island which has added enormously to the A.I.M.A.A Family.

The A.I.M.A.A European Summer Camp was attended by students originating from all corners of the Globe. I had the pleasure to meet and instruct AIMAA members from countries such as Germany, France, Switzerland, Poland and South Africa, all brought together due to the vision, passion and unparalleled inspiration of our leader Grandmaster Hee Il Cho. In total there were fifteen countries represented at the camp with no politics, no squabbles – only love and respect for each other. All brought together by Grandmaster Cho.

As I considered how far reaching Grandmaster Cho’s teachings and inspiration had travelled I too was inspired to write this letter to you all, outlining my love and respect for him and seeking to give you all a better understanding of how truly special the Grandmaster is.

To the A.I.M.A.A family Grandmaster Cho is more than just a president and figurehead for our association. He is the ever present, resonating father figure pushing everyone forward to achieve what others can only dream of.

Nothing gives me more pride than being able to call him my teacher and to a larger and ever growing extent I consider him to be like a second father to me. There has never been anyone like him before and there will never be anyone like him again.

The days of unreserved loyalty within the martial arts are almost gone but this is something we must hold onto above all others. Each and every one of us must strive to carry on the true spirit of Cho’s Tae Kwon Do and continue to build and truly honour our history. Our history is Grandmaster Cho.

He is the best there was, the best there is and the best there ever will be. We need no other and we must all unite, Masters, Instructors and students to ensure to stand loyally behind him. I love Grandmaster Cho for all he has given me. I can honestly say I would lay my life down for him.

When we think of Grandmaster Cho we must draw on our knowledge of Po-Eun - I shall never serve a second Master, though I may be crucified one hundred times – We have the best Master and need no other.

As you all know I feel I have a brother in Master Ameris. We talk regularly about how blessed we are to be students of Grandmaster Cho. It is through him that we have both achieved so much yet still remain like white belts in his presence. We have talked on many occasion of how as a martial artist he seems to glide over the floor, of how his speed is unchallenged and how his power is uncontrollable. Yet his powers and attributes as simply a man outweigh all others.

We must all, as members of the A.I.M.A.A, recognise how truly blessed we are that the roots of our linage lead to such a man.

Thank You

Master John D’arcy