----- Original Message -----

From: Rudy Timmerman

To: GM. Daniel Verkerke

Sent: Saturday, February 23, 2002 8:06 PM

Subject: Reference

February 23, 2002

Grand Master Daniel Verkerke
17 Peck Street
Cambridge,  ON   N1R 4P8
Canada

Hello Grand Master Verkerke:
Thank you so much for your recent visit to our school.  You, and your student, portrayed the martial arts just as I had hoped for as you conducted your Kama seminar.  Because I try to teach life skills and good citizenship at my school, I value the ancient traditions of respect and integrity that are an indispensable part of good martial arts, and the presentation you presented to my students reinforced these values.

After visiting your school last year, I could not help but notice that you instill the same principles of honesty, integrity, and respect in your school, and this prompted me to ask you to visit my school in Sault Ste Marie.  Perhaps I should share with you that I very seldom have visitors teach my students.  My reason for this is that so many martial artists do not practice what they preach.  

It is one thing to personally live by these wonderful attributes, but it is quite another to be able to instill these values in others.  There is no doubt in my mind that you have such skills.  I could easily tell that from the conduct of your students, and they are the thermometer that truly tell the skill and direction the Master imparts on his students.  In fact, your student Aubrey represented you so admirably at our last tournament in November, that he was chosen "most sportsmanlike competitor" by his peers.

I have been very fortunate to have received commendations by our Prime Minister, the honorable Jean Chretien, as well as those of members of Provincial and Federal Governments, Ambassadors, US Congressmen, and Mayors of a number of cities.  In fact I was very pleased to receive the keys to
several cities.   I do not tell you this to boast about my achievements, I simply wish to point out that the sentiment of politicians and the general public is fast becoming aware of the positive impact a good martial arts instructor like yourself can have.  It is my sincere hope that the city of Cambridge can look past the mistaken beliefs many folks have about martial arts and realize that you have a tremendous positive impact on the citizens of your community.  Thanks for sharing that with my students!
Warmest personal regards,


Rudy W. Timmerman
President National Korean Martial Arts Association
Sincerely, Rudy

http://www.nkmaa.ca/index.html