PILLAR OF NISEI GOJU PASSES- Earl Monroe,Kyoshi Remembered

It is with deep sorrow that I inform you of the passing Earl Monroe (5/9/37 - 8/19/08).

On the 21 of August, 2008, I received a call about the passing of Kyoshi Monroe. Earl Monroe, Kyoshi was a pillar and icon of the Nisei Goju Ryu System.

Grandmaster Ruiz used to call him Earl "The Pearl of Karate" Monroe.

Before his karate days, Earl Monroe received his black in judo while stationed in West Germany during his time serving his country in the U.S. Army. Continuing his martial art education in Ju Jitsu at the Yudan Shi kai with Theodore West. He also trained some with Antonio Periera(Miyama Ryu Ju Jitsu) and Florendo Visitaticion(Vee Jitsu Ryu Ju Jitsu). Dedicating his life to the martial arts, he climbed the rank structure and gained the level of San Dan 3 degree black belt.

In the mid sixties, he began his training in Nisei Goju's founder Frank Ruiz. Kyoshi Monroe fell in love with the Goju system and was proficient practitioner. His years of dedication saw him attain the level of Ruku Dan, six degree black belt master teacher. He produced a number of black blacks in the Bronx and Westchester to his credit. He was also one of the heavy hitters of Nisei, as well as, a national karate champion. He was one of my martials arts inspirations, Thanks Earl.

The first time I met Master Monroe, we were both green belt in goju. I traveled to the Westchester School of Judo and Ju Jitsu to take part in the class given by then Sensei Frank Ruiz, Yodan Renshi. The class bowed in for a vigorous and brutal work out. The Classes always ended with Jiu Kumite (soft free fighting), that was really Go (hard) Kumite. I Finally Squared off with then karate green belt Earl Monroe. Something always told me, this was no ordinary green belt. A great fighter, he was known for his sweep and reverse punch combination. As we exchange techniques, I spun around and hit the side of his head with a hook kick. I thought I broke my foot. Being a Taurus, he was a bull and was also known as Mr. Reverse Punch. In that first sparring session, my suspicions were made real. Before I knew it, he swept me off my and I was looking up at the ceiling wondering , What the $%%$?. How I avoided the punch, I'll never know. After the class, I walked into the front office to say good bye to my new dojo brother, when Grand Master Ruiz, reintroduced me to Earl Monroe. It was that day that I was reintroduced to Earl Monroe, Ju Jitsu Sensei. I jumped to attention gave proper courtesy in the goju traditional manner USO!!!

I personally believe that I am a better man for knowing Kyoshi Monroe. He was and will always be remembers as my big brother and inspiration of the martial arts.

Rest in peace my big brother, your service to your parents and the martial arts were exemplary. Please have a moment of silence in your home or dojo for this Pillar of Nisei Goju, EARL MONROE,KYOSHI.

Photo above. Me and Earl in the United States Virgin Island of St. Croix. Click on image to Enlarge.

13th ANNIVERSARY - FOUNDER: FRANK RUIZ'S PASSING

June 20, 2008, marks the 13th anniversary of the passing of the founder of NISEI GOJU RYU (THE SYSTEM), Grand Master Frank Ruiz 1934-1995. The history of the grand master's personal martial evolution is well documented.

GM. Frank Ruiz was responsible for assembling and training some of the greatest figthers, kata and weapons performers of Karate's golden era under one flag, NISEI GOJU. Thomas "LaPuppet" Carol(Nisei Shotokan), Carlos "Charlie" Cuprill, Luis Delgado (Ruiz's most famous student), Nathan "Skipper" Ingham (Bermuda Te), John Giordano , Malachi Lee (Isshin Ryu), Earl "The Pearl" Monroe, Wilfredo Roldan(present grand master of NISEI GOJU), Harry Rosenstein (Kan Zen Goju), Carlos Serrano(Ruiz's 1st black belt), Joe Serrano, Alex Sternberg (Nisei Shotokan), Ron Taganashi, Herbie Thompson, Owen "Obosan" Watson (Twin Dragon Goju), Bill Wendell(Mushin Goju), Ron "Black Dragon" Van Clief (Chinese Goju), Chaka "The Snake" Zulu (Zu Jitsu Ryu). He touched allot of lives. He is missed by those he touched.

I remember the first demonstration he performed, after he discarded his krutches. I was his uke, we worked with a live blade. G.M. Ruiz always wanted to be attacked for real A true founding father of the american martial arts movement.

Please observe a moment of silence in your Dojo, home, or anywhere on Friday, June 20, 2008, commemorating the life of the founder of Nisei Goju, FRANK RUIZ, THE GRAND MASTER.

Pictures: Left Circa 1970's: Grand Master Ruiz completes 1st Demonstration after surviving a near fatal car accident. Right Circa 1967, Grand Master Ruiz, Yon Dan Renshi at future home of the Nisei Goju System, Owen Watson's Nang Sei Dojo. Click on Photo to enlarge.

MR. AND MRS WOLF AT MONSTER MANIA

It was a great pleasure meeting Mr. and Mrs. Wolf. I don't remember the names of those in costumes, but I had a great time with them at the Sci-Fi Convention MONSTERMANIA. Of all the costumes The wolf's was very realistic and could scare the pants of some people.

Make-up artists, actors, vendors, autograph seeker and the like attended this event. At one particular time at the center was very crowded. It was hard moving around. Never the less, everyone seemed be having a wonderful time.

Check out the pictures below. I think they will lead you to the next Monster Mania.

MONSTER MANIA 08 DAVID, ROLDAN & PIPER

Here I am with the two Stars of the Sci-Fi Thriller - THEY LIVE, Keith David and Roddy Piper. I am the guy in the middle.

THEY LIVE featured the longest fight scene in movie history(mentioned in earlier post). It even made the GUINNESS WORLD BOOK OF RECORD. An awesome achievement by any standard.

Roddy Piper is a former wrestling champion turned actor. Behind him are photos of his fighting and filming sessions.

Both Keith and Roddy are men respected in the field that they are in.

I enjoy the time spent with them. It was really exciting.

MONSTER MANIA 08 CROWN PLAZA PICTURES

Here Freddy Kruger of NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET fame decided to join Keith David, the SPAWN, and W. Roldan for a photo-op. Freddy's the guy on your right. How I got to MONSTER MANIA? Later on, I'll tell you about it. Mean while, enjoy the pictures.

I tried recommending a dermotologist to Freddy but he said I was the one with the skin condition. Who am I to argue. No NIGHTMARES for me on ELMS street.

SPAWN was just being his mysterious self. Keith is all smiles.

MONSTER MANIA 2008 MARCH 15-16 HOW I GOT THERE

In the begining of March I received a call from my friend and student Josh Silver. He invited me to accompany him and Keith David, a prominent actor/performing artist, to a Sci-Fi Convention at the Crown Plaza in Cherry Hill, New Jersey close to Philidelphia. I've never been to a Convention like this. It was awesome!!!

A couple of days prior to the event, Josh called me and told me he was not going to be able to attend the convention. He hurt his back and had to stay in bed for more than a couple of days. It turn out to be a work weekend because of Josh's injury. We missed him at the convention. It was a pleasure to work with Keith David. Keith David is a film and stage actor, singer, and performer. A number of actors I know call him an actor's actor. One of the greatest comnpliments one could achieve in the arts. Keith has many films to his credit: They Live with Roddy Piper, filming the longest fight scene in cinematic history, The Thing with Kurt Russel, Fast Feet on Broadway, Crash, Something about Mary Etc, Etc. I could go on. Above in the photo are Keith David, THE SPAWN, and yours truely. Keith Did the voice over for the HBO Series THE SPAWN.

The event was called MONSTER MANIA 2008. It was a horror fan's heaven. Keith Sign autographs for fans. It was exciting to see the enthusiam of the fans. People of all ages enjoyed the event. It was the first time Keith David saw a action figure of charactor he portrayed in the movie "Platoon". There were people in monster costumes, vender and other famous actor and actresses like Tom Waits (Star: THE WARRIORS) and Jobeth Willlaims (Star: POLTERGEIST).

I had a preview of the convention site's booths and fasinating displays. That was fun. I spent the rest of the time working with Keith David and the many fans that attended MONSTER MANIA.

I met some great people on this trip and learned alot. It was a pleasure working with Keith at the convention. By the time I got home, I was exhausted and went to sleep with great memories. That's what life is about. Stay safe, sound, and never lose the kid inside of you.

JUAN ROLDAN - MY FIRST TEACHER

Parents are usually the first gods that a person knows. In being our first deities, they really are our first teachers. Born in San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico in 1923, Juan Roldan arrived on the main land of the United States on March 18, 1952. We first moved to Reading, Pennsylvania. I was really too young to remember. A year or so, my father told me, we moved to New York City. We lived on 15th Street and Irving Place, before some of the high risers were erected. We winded up on 11th street between Avenue B and C, (L.E.S.), a pretty tough neigborhood. We lived in a rail road flat at 636 East Eleventh Street(building demolished). A poor up bringing, but, we were happy.

A working class man who worked in the sheet metal industry as a polisher, Juan would always insisted we spoke Spanish in the house and be on time for family dinner. The family always ate together. At dinner he would tell stories about growing up in Puerto Rico, family, and his hopes and dreams for us.
I still remember going to his union job in Brooklyn, N.Y. I was amazed, impressed and realized he was a hard worker. He was a union man. I learned my work ethics from him. I remembered asking him, if I could work there when I grew up. He laughed at me and said in his broken English at the time "I think you can do a whole lot better if you get a good education".. That meant, doing your homework and the best you can. I attribute the my 27 years in the field of education to my fathers desires for me to have a better life. Thanks Pops

Now at eighty four, my father went through two operations on an aortic artery associated with his abdomen. It was a rough stretch and we could have lost him. His will to live helped him overcome the procedures. Kick ass Pops!! He is now at a Bellvue Hospital's Medical Intensive Care Unit healing his wounds and getting ready to go into a physical therapy program.

I'll be retiring from my day job and looking forward to hanging out with my father again. I sure he has other life's lesson to teach me. Please Keep him your prayers.

Respectful Hands,
Hanshi Roldan