Face of Defense: Marine Bonds With Son Through Martial Arts

By Marine Corps Cpl. Bruno J. Begg

2nd Marine Logistics Group

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C., June 27, 2012 – Finding the time to bond with your kids can be challenging in the highly demanding life of a Marine.

But Marine Corps Sgt. James W. Bridger, a combat engineer with 2nd Marine Logistics Group’s 8th Engineer Support Battalion and a member of the Lejeune Grappling Team since September 2011, bonds with his eldest son, Christian, through martial arts.

“It started by just coming home and watching [Ultimate Fighting Championship] fights on TV with my son,” Bridger said. “Eventually it came around to where I would come back home and he would be in the room at 3 years old watching the fights by himself.”

Bridger realized his son’s desire to do martial arts was the perfect opportunity to improve their relationship.

“I started to introduce him to martial arts with the [Marine Corps Martial Arts Program],” Bridger explained. “He would watch as I would bring friends over to the house to teach them and train them. … He always wanted to participate.

“He loved training with the pugil sticks and batons,” he added. “I taught him the stuff I knew, and I trained him myself for a while.”

Due to family issues and the needs of the Marine Corps, however, Bridger and his son have been away from each other for more than a year.

“I entered him in a [martial arts academy] up in Virginia, where he lives,” he added. “I knew I couldn’t spend time with him every day, and I did not want him to lose his interest for the sport, so I signed him up.”

Although Christian has been attending the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy for nearly a year, he had never competed until June 23. A North American Grappling Association tournament not only gave him his first opportunity to compete, but also gave him the chance to see his father participate during the same event.

“Seeing my son fight and winning was priceless,” Bridger said. “To see him grow into the sport from the beginning, to be able to be there for his first official competition, was great.” Christian competed in two categories, and he finished first in one and third in the other.

While supporting his son in learning a martial art for three years, Bridger said, he also has taught him the self-discipline involved.

“This sport is very humbling,” he said. “You might be with your best friend and he could make you tap out, so this martial art really teaches you how to be modest.”

Bridger said he will continue to support his son in anything he wants to do.

“Ultimately, what I want for my son is to be happy doing whatever sport he wants to do,” he said. “I am just very lucky that he likes the same thing as me, but I will support him and teach him to be the best he can be.”

UFC Fighters Visit Lincoln

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Mason D. Campbell, USS Abraham Lincoln Public Affairs

USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN, At Sea (NNS) -- Three Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fighters visited the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), April 17.

Rich "Ace" Franklin, Keith "The Dean of Mean" Jardine and Stephan "The American Psycho" Bonnar toured the ship, visited with Sailors, signed autographs for fans and gave a grappling demonstration in the ship's hangar bay.

"It was awesome," said Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) Airman Recruit Chris Spires. "I've watched these guys since I was little, and they inspired me to start training in mixed martial arts (MMA). My buddies would never believe I actually got to meet these guys."

Shortly after flying aboard, the fighters met with Rear Adm. Mike Shoemaker, commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 9. After a quick briefing, the fighters visited crew members throughout the ship.

"We were more than happy to visit Lincoln, especially because the UFC has always had strong support from service members," said Franklin.

"It's great coming out here to the ships because everybody has been serving and working hard for so long," added Franklin. "If coming out here helps boost the morale, then it's the least I can do."

Though the fighters were only on board for a few hours, they managed to make a lasting impression on a few Lincoln Sailors. Airman Richard Gunther said he was excited to have the opportunity to meet some of his heroes.

"The sport is so cool," said Gunther. "Everyone back home will be very excited when they see the pictures. This is one of the coolest experiences of my time in the Navy."

Franklin is a former middleweight champion and is the co-creator of the Keep It in the Ring Foundation, a group that advocates nonviolence and character building for American youth. Jardine is a light heavyweight known for victories over Forrest Griffin and Chuck Liddell. Bonnar, also a light heavyweight, works as a personal trainer.

Lincoln is the flagship for CSG 9, which also includes guided-missile cruiser USS Cape St. George (CG 71) and Destroyer Squadron 9, comprised of guided-missile destroyers USS Momsen (DDG 92) and USS Sterett (DDG 104). CSG 9 and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, embarked aboard Lincoln, are deployed to the 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support exercises in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

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.