Click Thumbnails to View Larger Photos
The Songahm Vision Tour made its way up to the Pacific Northwest during the 2010 Leadership Summit in Ocean Shores, WA. This tour stop was an international ceremonial event honoring our WTTU-CANADA Songahm family members.
Approximately 250 black belts and students from the Vancouver, B.C.-Edmonton, Alberta-Washington-Oregon-California area were on hand to celebrate the Vision of Songahm Taekwondo. Grand Master Soon Ho Lee and the Grand Master Nominee-Chief Master In Ho Lee, led the way at the beautiful Shilo-Inn Resort in Ocean Shores. Canadian seniors – Master Hallie Fraser and Master Kevin Ford and the Pacific Northwest seniors-Sr. Master Ki Seung Cho, Master Rob Goins and Master Scott Turner were all on hand to usher in the Canadian ceremony.
Also in attendance were special guests Chief Master Candidate-Sr. Master Jay Kohl, Master Tish Kohl and Master Greg Moody. Master Candidate, Derwin Yee came in from the northern California region bringing several juniors to support the event.
After viewing the story of how the American Taekwondo Association has grown into an international network of Songahm Taekwondo practitioners on six continents, the participants followed Grand Master Soon Ho Lee as they performed the traditional Songahm One in the four directions of the Earth. This was an especially meaningful workout as the tour was celebrating Songahm Taekwondo's Canadian family members. This is a true symbol that Songahm has spread to the northern section of the Earth.
The Grand Master Nominee - Chief Master In Ho Lee - led the class in an energetic workout! Chief Master Lee was very proud of the students as they gave the workout their very best – even after a long weekend of workouts, rank testing, physical fitness tests, and certifications during the 2010 Leadership Summit.
During the traditional Soap and Candle Light Ceremony, the Songahm students and instructors learned of the meaning behind the soap and candle. This was followed by the Grand Master Nominee lighting his candle from the flame of Grand Master Soon Ho Lee's candle symbolizing the passing of knowledge and affirmation of loyalty. The Scrolls of Songahm were recited aloud during the video presentation and the 5th Degree Black Belts and above were invited to sign their own personal copy, just as the participants in Omaha. This was very special for so many Canadian Songahm members as this was the first time they had ever witnessed the age-old tradition.
The final portion of the SVT, WTTU-CANADA ceremony commenced with the national anthem of Canada being sung by all Canadians. "Oh Canada" was led by Masters Fraser and Ford, standing in front of the Canadian Flag, and was sung beautifully by the group. It was a special moment for the Canadians as well as the Americans as it was being celebrated on American soil. Video coming soon.
Following the Canadian anthem, Grand Master Soon Ho Lee presented a piece of calligraphy art to the highest-ranking master of the region, Sr. Master Ki Seung Cho followed by Canadian-Masters Fraser and Ford. The calligraphy expressed Grand Master's appreciation for these seniors leading Songahm Taekwondo internationally throughout Canada.
All of the Masters in the region presented a very special plaque of appreciation to the Grand Master for his years of leadership and sacrifice. Master Rob Goins led the group presentation with an emotional speech expressing their deep appreciation to Grand Master Lee for so gracefully leading the Songahm Family into the next generation after the loss of our Founder, Grand Master Haeng Ung Lee.
The event in Ocean Shores ended with an autograph session. Grand Master Lee and Chief Master In Ho Lee spent another hour meeting and taking pictures with over 250 black belts and parents.
In a special moment, Master Hallie Fraser took the microphone to thank the Songahm leadership for celebrating WTTU-CANADA. She also acknowledged how this was a one-of-a-kind event celebrating Canada on American soil. Grand Master Lee also ordered that the next Canadian celebration was to happen on Canada soil!