Enter Into Aikido is an ideal gift for anyone interested in beginning the study of martial arts or continuing their training. David Nemeroff covers a wide variety of topics, demystifying many of the questions that people have. For the advanced practitioner, this text delves into the application of philosophical concepts as it pertains to the martial arts and everyday life. Enter Into Aikido is required reading for parents looking to get their children involved in martial arts. Those with knowledge or experience in Aikido will learn more about Aikido’s history, philosophical principles, and the various styles of Aikido.

David Nemeroff has practiced Aikido for over 24 years and has earned black belts in nine different styles of martial arts. David is the Soke-dai and Aikido division head for Fukasa-ryu Bujutsukai and a registered instructor for Kokusai Budoin, Tokyo, Japan. He is the owner of Aikido Masters Self-Defense Academy in Whitehall, PA and a professor of Aikido at Penn State University.

To purchase a copy of this essential guide while helping a worthy cause, simply go to www.aikido-dojo.com/charity/signup and follow the instructions.

Joyce Stophel, Manager, Field Studies Program, IMSO stated, ” The International Military Student Office provides our students an additional program along with their academic training. The Field Studies Program goal is to ensure that our students return to their homeland with an understanding of responsibilities of governments, militaries, and citizens to protect, preserve and respect the rights of every individual. By visiting the Fisher House and learning about the generosity of Zachary Fisher and family for our soldiers, they too will understand about “Diversity and American Life.”"

First Sergeants, Atkins, Jamaica; Conley, Jamaica; Hinds, Jamaica; Lashley, Trinidad-Tobago; Lemes, Brazil; McLean, Jamaica; Markovski, Macedonia and Plummer, Jamaica, all enjoyed the tour of Fisher House where they saw firsthand the warm comfortable living conditions a Fisher House provides, and a detailed history and briefing given by Fisher House Manager Mr. Harry E. Hicks, Jr., a former First Sergeant and retired Command Sergeant Major. Each student received several mementos from the manager to take back to their homeland. With all of this, the highlight of their visit was meeting and talking with Army CPL, Terry Williams, a wounded warrior who explained what Fisher House has meant to him and his wife. Williams verbally walked them through his encounter with members of the Iraqi forces, his injuries, his hospital treatments from Iraq to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, to Walter Reed Army Medical Center, to William Beaumont Army Medical Center, and his recovery, rehab and follow-up treatment at WBAMC.

On behalf of the entire student group, First Sergeants, Plummer and Atkins, (fourth and eighth from the left) respectfully on photo number one, presented a donation to Fisher House upon their departure.

A special thanks to the following individuals for their time and effort:

1.    Mr. & Mrs. Scott Adkins (Key Cookout Event Coordinators)
2.    Buster Davis
3.    Jesse Davis
4.    Faye Davis
5.    Bart Black
6.    Bob Kendra
7.    Vanna Kendra
8.    Brenda Moore

Ernie G.

Dear Jodi Land, Fisher House Manager
On Tuesday May 29,2007 my family received word that my
brother, SSG JasonT ourtillotte was to undergo emergency
surgery for a blood clot that was discoveredin his brain with in the next twenty four hours. That same day my mother and my father were on a plane heading for Fort Lewis, Washington. The next day my sister and I were on a plane to join my parents at the side of my brother. Two weeks prior to this incident we knew Jason had suffered from a brain bleed of some kind while in lraq and was flown to Germany before it was decided he was stable enough to return to the United States. It appeared that his incident was minor and he was recovering well. It was not until reaching Fort Lewis that the bloodclot was discovered.

My family and I were taken by surprise and had little information except Jason was to undergo surgery. We were provided lodging in the Fisher House at Fort Lewis and learned that the Fisher Foundation helped provide airfare. On behalf of my family and I, we wantedt o express our gratitude and appreciation for what your organization provides for military families. The Fisher House helped my family and I concentrate on spending time with Jason rather than worrying about hotels and transportation. We were a short walk from Madigan which made transporation a non issue. I was so impressed to see how much at home the Fisher House makes families feel, providing food, a means of preparing food, a library, movies, video games and toys for families with children, a means of washing laundry and providing a safe and clean place to sleep. The atmosphere bestowed really helps to put you at ease when there. We met other families staying in the Fisher House that had troubling stories of their own regarding loved ones. Discussions with other families had a therapeutic value of its own. It really demonstrated to us how much support your Foundation provides and to how many people you touch during a time of need. A person could literally arrive with nothing but the clothes on their back to be with a loved one and survive comfortably while staying in the Fisher House. Thank you for everything you do. I am a career fire fighter for the Brewer Fire Department in Brewer Maine near where I live. The fire fighters make up IAFF Local Union 2162, the Brewer Fire Fighters. Hours before my plane departed for Fort Lewis, the guys called me and told me to stop by the fire station before I left. Local 2162 donated money to my family to help out with financial concerns; to pay for a hotel,food, air fare, whatever financial needs that may arise to reach and stay in Washington while with Jason. I had no idea we were staying at the Fisher House and had less of a clue what the Fisher House was. Now I do, and as I expressed before, we are very thankful for everything you provide. After returning to Maine, my family wanted to contribute back to the Fisher House Foundation, so the money donated by Local 2162 to the Tourtillotte Family was returned with the intent to making that same donation to the Fisher House Foundation to support the Fisher House located at Fort Lewis in Washington. Along with this letter you will find a donation check from Local 2162, Brewer Fire Fighters for the total of $600.00.

Please take this money and continue helping all the families you have been aiding during their troubling times of need.

Thank you.
Respectfully,
Erik Tourtillotte

PS: At this time SSG Jason Tourtillotte is recovering very well after his surgery and is expected to make a full recovery.

May God bless you all. We’ve never been treated so well by a group of people before. This is truly just like a family and very comforting. We can’t imagine going through the loss of our son anywhere else. Fisher House is a Godsend to anyone who stays here, as well as LRMC is also. May our Heavenly Father greatly bless you and all involved in this wonderful service to all of our brothers and sisters throughout the world.

With our love,
Larry and Stacie