Text of follow up email
Announcing September 2005 winner
Luke Wullenwaber Scholarship Winner
-----------------------------------------------
I'm please to announce the following as the September, 2005 winners of the Luke C. Wullenwaber TFT Memorial Scholarship.
* Co-winner: Ronald Ramirez (nominated by Ed Ramirez):
Here's what Ed wrote:
------------------------------
My story is about Ronald Ramirez who, in his forties, has been unable to
support his family in a full-time job because of his rare heart condition.
Giving up his dream of being an economist, he became a private tutor to
many students who in turn respected him for being a man of knowledge and
values.
Months after the 911 attack, the Philippine-based Muslim extremist group
Abu Sayyaf, funded by bin Laden, kidnapped many and killed Americans.
During these dangerous times, Ronald took a bus home after visiting a
student. With him were his books and his two-foot plastic stick. Suddenly,
four burly armed men boarded the bus and overwhelmed the driver. The
biggest stood as sentry at the doorway while the rest moved to the rear
where American Mormon missionaries were seated.
Sensing that they were Abu Sayyaf terrorists, Ronald had to get help.
Immediately, Ronald decided to sacrifice himself by charging at the sentry
while shielding himself with his stick. The sentry managed to stab Ronald
but the blade failed to penetrate Ronald's shirt because the stick jammed
his arms down. Upon jumping off the slow-moving bus, Ronald swiftly struck
the sentry's head with the stick, instantly knocking him out. The
passengers screamed as the sentry fell off the bus. The other bandits
disembarked immediately to rescue their comrade while Ronald sought help.
In the end, lives were saved.
Ronald, a modern hero, desires to learn the TFT system but cannot
afford it.
-----------------------------------
Ronald, so often we read of folks like yourself -- battling some type of handicap -- who are the first to step forward in the face of overwhelming odds. You're an inspiration to all of us. We have a copy of our new Seminar Series DVD set "The Works" headed your way next week. Congratulations from all of us here at the TFT Group.
* Co-winner: Sgt Ryan J Labar:
Here's what Sgt Ryan wrote:
------------------------------
Dear Mr. Larkin,
My name is SGT Ryan J LaBar, and I am stationed in Baghdad. I am writing you to request your assistance in helping me to train the soldiers here in Iraq. I currently volunteer my spare time to help teach self-defense classes. I teach Muay Thai Kickboxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I also conduct training for my unit as well as other units on "realistic" self-defense. Two months ago I held a half-day seminar for the chaplain's assistants. Since the chaplains can't carry weapons, their assistants act as their bodyguards. I’ll admit I don't know everything. I try to teach them basic jiu-jitsu wrist locks, some weapon disarms, and vital points of the body. I want to be able to put the best weapons in their hands, but the problem is that I am just a soldier trying to support my family. I am currently putting my wife through school and I used most of our savings to buy the pads and training equipment for my kickboxing class. I am submitting this application for my soldiers and those who are over here risking everything. When I was here in '03, my brother-in-law, SSG Aaron White, US Marine Corps died in a helo crash. My wife was devastated. Training these men helps me keep Aaron's memory alive by making sure that no one has to endure that loss. That maybe, they might have a better chance to make it back home alive. Thank you for your time Sir.
Sincerely,
SGT RYAN J LABAR
US ARMY SIGNAL CORPS
BAHGDAD, IRAQ
-----------------------------------
Sgt Ryan, as I've mentioned before, all of us here in the States appreciate the work you and your fellow soldiers do overseas. To give you a hand training over there, we'll have a full set of the TFT Seminar Series DVDs on its way to you shortly. Since there isn't an absolute order you must watch these DVDs in, hopefully this will allow more folks a chance to learn the material simultaneously. Thanks again... and congratulations.
Remember that to apply for this scholarship, all you need to do is send me a maximum 250-word
explanation of why you or someone you know should receive this
scholarship. Email the information to me at
luke@targetfocustraining.com. Or, if you prefer, fax it
to: 206-686-3469 or mail to me care of: The TFT Group, 325 E
Washington St, #207, Sequim, WA 98382.
Again, my congratulations to both Ronald and Sgt Labar.
Best regards,
Tim Larkin,
Creator, Target-Focus Training
