I want to make this bulletin a tribute to a friend and fellow Martial Artist, Kaicho Butch Velez.
We all have used this term. I would like for you to meet a friend of mine or these are my friends. Ask yourself, are they your friends?
Merriam-Webster defines a friend as. “One attached to another by affection or esteem.” When you refer to someone as a friend, are they a friend or just an acquaintance?
Merriam- Webster defines acquaintance: “As someone who is known but not a close friend.” I pretty much put most of the people I know or deal with within this category.
I heard this saying many years ago and, over the years, have concluded that it’s true. A true friend will tell you what you don’t want to hear, not what you want to hear. When I ask a true friend a question about something, I want to hear the truth. I don’t want to be patronized or have the facts held back because they are afraid they may hurt my feelings.
I have had about ten people in my life that I put into the category of being a true friend. Butch Velez was one of those.
Some years back, I was browsing the net looking for information on my Sensei Richard P. Baillargeon and saw a picture of Mr. B, standing next to a gentleman by the name of Butch Velez. I was able to get his phone number, and the rest is history.
Butch and I would talk on average three to four times a week all about the martial arts. Butch impressed me with his depth and knowledge of the Martial Arts, primarily as it dealt with Shogo Kuniba.
His loyalty to Soke Kuniba was second to none. I don’t think anyone knew more about Soke Kuniba and his teaching and ideas of what the martial arts was and should be than Kaicho Butch Velez.
I have been an associate member of AGK American Goshin Budo and Kobudo for several years. As Kaicho of the NKJU® and NKJUI®, I will continue to support the new Kaicho Andrea Velez and Fuku Kaicho John Sliger.
I will genuinely miss our phone conversation about the martial arts, lest I forget talking about his bees and working out with him at his clinics. I know many will miss his Shiatsu practice as well.
Kaicho Velez had been working on a book about Soke Kuniba, himself, Soshi Kelly, and a few other prominent Instructors. The book included pictures, handwritten articles, and drawings by Shogo Kuniba about AGK and its inception. I would venture to guess many have never seen just how much Soke Kuniba was involved with the AGK. Hopefully, in due time this book can be completed.
Many may not know that Kaicho Velez was a 32 degree Mason and attended his local lodge regularly. This is a testament to where his loyalty lay. God first and foremost, family and his love for AGK.
Being a fellow Mason, there is a unity that only exists among brother Mason’s. When asked. What is a Mason? we politely reply. “You have to be one to know one.”
I consider it a privilege and an honor to put the Masonic Symbol and the statement.
“I SEE YOUVE TRAVELED SOME”
Ahead of my organizational seal, as befitting a Masonic Brother. You will be missed by many but will be remembered by those who loved you the most.
I could not attend Kaicho’s funeral but like to feel I was there looking through the eyes of my fellow Masonic brothers and my fellow brothers in Bushido. May you rest in peace Kaicho Butch Velez.
Kaicho Roy D, Davis III NKJU®/NKJUI®
NKJU ® National Karate Jiu-Jitsu Union and National Karate jiu-jitsu Union Int. 2691 Worth County Line Road Albany, Georgia 31705 davisroyiv3@gmail.com
Sept/Oct 2020 NKJU® Bulletin
NKJU ® & NKJUI® is a USPTO registered trademark owned by Roy D. Davis III. Any use of this name by any person, organization, company, or association with the marketing or sale of any products and services without the owner’s permission violates the US Trade Mark Act.
All NKJU® & NKJUI® Bulletins are under Copyright and shall not be altered from its original form without the written permission from Kaicho Davis.
