Mr. Hogan,

I want to thank you for the four years you trained me at your Karate studio. My name is Shaun Pettersen (you probably remember), I earned my Jr. black belt 6 months after Instructor Dee's daughter, Amy did. I trained with Amy, Danny Raccio, and Alex Celani as well. Shortly after, I moved to Maryland and E-mailed you once before.

I am E-mailing you again because I need to. My years spent at your studio helped me to develop into who I am today. My self confidence and "indomitable spirit" are rooted in your studio. I learned some basics to self defense, but more importantly virtues that stayed with me through life. I have had many dreams about your studio since I left in 2003. I have woken up with you guys on my mind and flashbacks of various forms and techniques faded from memory. If I still lived in NH, I would probably re-join. Life has chosen another path though.

At the end of 12th grade, I graduated High School and joined the United States Marine Corps two weeks later. After 3 months of boot camp and 1 month of combat training, I entered a Marine Corps school to become an intelligence analyst. After four months of school, I received a Top Secret clearance and got stationed in 29 Palms CA, a Marine Corps base in the Mojave desert. In October 2009, I am deploying for a 12 month deployment to Afghanistan.

Because of this, I wanted to thank you for your training and part in my development and growth as a person. I was nine years old when I began training, and received my black belt when I was 13. May this be an encouragement to the Kenpo Kids who struggle with focus, discipline, self confidence, self worth, attitudes, and all sorts of things your teaching trains kids to overcome. From my own experience, I stress that it is important for all kids to reach the rank of Jr Black belt or they cannot fully develop the traits the studio instills in them. I'll never forget the bloody knuckles, sore legs, and 30 minutes of staring at a wall. It was the starting foundation to build upon as I got older.

If you have time, please let me know how things have been. For those who remember me, tell them I said Hi and and maybe I'll get to visit one day.

Semper Fidelis,

LCPL Pettersen/ USMC

"Death smiles at everyone, Marines smile back"