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The SVT-GRATITUDE ceremony took place on January 14th in Dallas, Texas during the 2011 Black Belt Nationals at the Hilton-Anatole Event Center. Grand Master Soon Ho Lee welcomed approximately 300 students and 50 Masters during this incredible ceremony recognizing the Master Ceremony element of Gratitude.
Following the Songahm Vision Tour video introducing the Grand Master Nominee ceremonial process, Grand Master Soon Ho Lee led the Masters and students to the traditional workout of Songahm 1 towards the 4 directions of the Earth. The Grand Master Nominee-Chief Master In Ho Lee then took the microphone to lead all of the students and Masters in an intensive and dynamic workout!
This workout was followed by the video presentation of the Scrolls of Songahm. Chief Master In Ho Lee then lit his candle from the flame of Grand Master Soon Ho Lee. All participants were invited to take home the SVT candle to spread the knowledge in their communities.
The event ended with the Master Ceremony and the Songahm Star Presentation. The video explained the Master Ceremony and how the Grand Master Nominee – Chief Master In Ho Lee will perform one of the nine steps from the Master Ceremony, at each Tour stop. This ceremony's Master Ceremony theme was Gratitude. The following is a transcription from the actual event:
Today, the component of Gratitude will be performed. Traditionally, gratitude is expressed in the form of a gift to the Grand Master. Chief Master In Ho Lee has created a one-of-a-kind plaque to express his gratitude to Grand Master Lee.
(The plaque was read aloud by Chief Master In Ho Lee) "Grand Master Soon Ho Lee: As a child, I looked up to you, my older brother, as you wore the Korean military uniform and you took on the responsibility of honorably serving our homeland. As an adult, I witnessed you follow our Founder, Eternal Grand Master HU Lee, with great pride and humility. You taught me discipline and Songahm protocol. If ever we were struggling to find our way, I watched you courageously fill the impossible shoes of our late Grand Master.
During this renewal of leadership, I follow your footsteps and learn the roles and responsibilities of becoming a Grand Master. It is with sincerity that I express my deepest gratitude to you for showing me the way of the GRAND MASTER. Should I fulfill the final requirements of becoming Grand Master, I promise to give everything that is within me to fulfill the legacy of Songahm Taekwondo.
Presented with my deepest gratitude to you on this 14th Day of January, 2011. Thank you, sir – In Ho Lee"
During the next section of the ceremony, Chief Master Robert Allemier presented the 4th part of the Songahm Star to Chief Master In Ho Lee, symbolically showing his support to him as the Grand Master Nominee. He offered not only his support, but also a message of wisdom and advice as he made reference to the color of the red star piece he was presenting. "Many times the color "red" represents "caution"." Chief Master Allemier then asked Chief Master In Ho Lee to always take caution in all of his actions when he becomes the Grand Master-because the Grand Master must always lead by example.
Chief Master Allemier is one of the few Masters in Songahm Taekwondo who is of higher rank than the Grand Master Nominee-Chief Master In Ho Lee. His show of support and guidance to the Grand Master Nominee is an incredible example of leadership and humility.
Grand Master Soon Ho Lee then presented his incredible personalized calligraphy artwork to Chief Master Allemier to show his appreciation for supporting him as the Grand Master for the last 9 years. In Korean calligraphy, Grand Master created a piece of artwork from the characters of the word "Gratitude". As Grand Master presented the calligraphy he explained, "I do not have enough words I can say to tell you what you have meant to the Songahm family. So this artwork shows the appreciation in my heart."
Chief Master Allemier then presented Grand Master Soon Ho Lee with a one-of-a-kind "Flame of Gratitude" art piece. It is comprised with a 2-foot tall, fire-blown glass sculpture of a fire-flame, which sits atop a wooden plaque declaring Chief Master Allemier's gratitude to Grand Master Soon Ho Lee and his lifetime of service to the ATA. Chief Master Allemier finished his presentation by stating that the success of the ATA was only because of the students and instructors of Songahm. Without them, the ATA would not be where it is today. He expressed his gratitude with a meaningful and emotional speech, with his personal words
All students and instructors may express their appreciation to Grand Master Soon Ho Lee at www.SongahmVisionTour.com. You may also send a message of support to the Grand Master Nominee – Chief Master In Ho Lee online as well. Instructors will also find a printable copy of the petition to officially support the Grand Master Nominee. The petition along with instructions and a unique guest pass are all downloadable at www.ATASuccessKit.com.
Next, Senior Master Mark Sustaire of Dallas along with Sr. Masters Marilyn and Michael Niblock and the Texas area Masters, presented incredible hand-drawn art pieces to Grand Master Soon Ho Lee, Chief Master Robert Allemier, and Chief Master In Ho Lee. The artwork was pencil drawn portraits of the respective recipients commissioned by the student of Sr. Master Sustaire: Mr. James Simms
The Songahm Vision Tour will continue on February 12, 2011 during the Region 103B tournament hosted by Master Del Rio in Ontario, California to honor Chief Master Wan Joo Choi. Make plans to be there to celebrate the Master Ceremony component of Honor.