American Taekwondo Association (ATA) Martial Arts Tourney to Benefit Military Families

Local Fayetteville chapter encourages residents to attend & show support as a portion of proceeds will go to the Army’s Army

Fayetteville, NC - January 10, 2012 - On January 20-21, 2012, the American Taekwondo Association (ATA) Martial Arts of Fayetteville will demonstrate its support for the military at its annual Home Town Heroes: Regional ATA Martial Arts Tournament at the Crown Coliseum Expo Center.  The local chapter will donate a portion of all proceeds from ticket and t-shirt sales to the Army’s Army, an organization made up of citizens and businesses that support the military, dedicated to ‘watching over those who watch over us©.’  The tournament is the area’s largest martial arts competition for youth and teenagers. Last year it drew in roughly 1,000 individuals, made-up of competitors and spectators, and organizers are hoping to attract an even bigger crowd this year.

The ATA Martial Arts of Fayetteville and the Army’s Army partnered together for last year’s tournament to honor 30 Purple Heart recipients, members of the local Fayetteville chapter 2226 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart.  In Fayetteville/Cumberland Country, America’s First Military Sanctuary Community, the military receives VIP treatment, and the Purple Heart recipients experienced this firsthand at last year’s tournament. Each of the honorees were publicly acknowledged, received front row seats, and signed autographs.

“We are excited for the tournament, not only do we get to compete but we’re able to show our appreciation for our military heroes,” said Master Michael Brown, ATA Martial Arts of Fayetteville. “We invite the community to come join us and show their support for the military, as a portion of sales will go to the Army’s Army, a military support organization, to help them do what they do best.”

The Army’s Army operates three websites strictly devoted to supporting soldiers, veterans and their families:

•           FayettevilleWantsYou.com - A site that provides resources for military families relocating to Fayetteville/Cumberland County to help make their transition easier.

•           MilitaryDiscounts.com - A blog that houses hundreds of military discounts, in one convenient place.
•           BriefFromTheFront.com - The Army’s Army, Executive Director’s blog that covers local news and events of interest to soldiers and their families. 

Currently, the organization is made up of over 1,500 volunteers and dozens of partners that provide various types of military support through programs, such as relocation fairs, and events geared towards soldiers, veterans and their families, including children of fallen soldiers.

The Regional Tournament: Hometown Heroes will feature highly-skilled sixth, seventh and eighth degree black belts, as well as some of the younger Tiny Tigers, and white, orange and yellow belts working their way up to black belt. Spectators will be able to see competitors trained in Combat BME, Songahm forms and sparring, ATA Extreme Weapons, and ATA Extreme Forms.

To view photographs from last year’s event: Home Town Heroes: Regional ATA Martial Arts Tournament, click here.

About The Army’s Army:

Fayetteville/Cumberland County is America’s first sanctuary community for the Military and their Families. The Army’s Army is the world’s only volunteer organization of citizens and businesses who have pledged their moral, physical and spiritual support to those in the military. We do everything we can to make soldiers, veterans and their families feel welcome, appreciated and safe. The Army’s Army is dedicated to “watching over those who watch over us©.” For additional information, visit www.armysarmy.com.   

About ATA Martial Arts:

The American Taekwondo Association (ATA) is the premier North American organization dedicated to the martial arts discipline of taekwondo, and is the founding organization of other international affiliates that include the World Traditional Taekwondo Union (WTTU) and the Songahm Taekwondo Federation (STF).  Counting both the U.S. and worldwide, our organizations have over 1,500 independently owned and operated licensed schools and clubs, and have registered over one million students since the ATA's inception in 1969.