The path to where we are today as Martial Artists has not been without stumbles, trips, and falls. History does not and cannot exist without several side roads taken and explored, without some measure of deception, intrigue, or subterfuge to spice up that history. The history of Aberdeen Kenpo Karate is no different in that regard.

Although this narrative may frown on the choices of some of the practitioners contained within, that is not the goal of this story. This is simply the truth as many of us lived it. It is the truth as the majority know it happened. It is the provable truth obtained from years of research and lived personal experience.

We'd love nothing more than to be a big happy family, but that would require those among us seeking individual glory to more effectively consider the entity as a whole. Bridges have been burned, but true leaders know how to build bridges. They don't widen the chasm to prevent opportunity for reconciliation.

While seeking recognition is not a crime in and of itself, attempting to obtain that recognition on the backs of others' hard work by espousing a false narrative displays lack of integrity, diminished self-worth, and a discrepancy in the honor expected of Martial Artists. This is not what the majority of us are about.

There is but one way to truly succeed in the Martial Arts. The application of time and effort. You can fool some of the people all the time, and all of the people some of the time, but fooling all of the people all of the time is delusional pursuit.

As you, the reader, travel your own Martial Arts journey, do so with the understanding that it begins with a single step that in some cases becomes a lifelong pursuit.

Each step you take must be worked for. Not all who travel the journey are recognized for their efforts, and not all who make it further along the journey have taken those steps on their own.

With that being said, please enjoy reading the history of Aberdeen Kenpo Karate and other schools of Shaolin Kenpo in Washington State as they existed and continue to persist along that journey. Allow me to introduce you to some of the important names within the system.