The Zen of Kenpo

 A yearly gathering in Florida organized by Mr. Sean Kelley.

Image from Mr. Kelley's Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/zenofkenpo

Words from Mr. Sean Kelley

(from Mr. Sean Kelley's Facebook page)

I always paid my dues...for things that I support & believe in. When I received my 4th degree from SGM Ed Parker I was honored then & I am honored today. In my archives I have taken both my last belt & his patch (1990) and respectfully put them into my safe keeping place where I could reflect back on the moment. I wonder if those who chose to strip, cut or shred their patches from their life are also going to burn, rip or throw away their certificates along with it as it also came with the art? If you must walk away do it in silence or like a few of us retire it as an honor of your past but please remember there are many globally very much alive and well far more senior than many in the land of 'Kenpo Oz' who are considered 'Our Ed Parker's' of today that walked with him, cried with him, worked with him, fought with him, and above all 'Loved' him without a condition but would like to carry him within their memories as a special human being that if you got the true 'Lesson' you would know why I posted this. I respect many, I'm not liked by all but for those who know me know I am reasonably fair minded but above all believe in Loyalty & Integrity as a character of a 'Code of Conduct' follow the motto 'Respect All, but Feared by None' we are all equal at the of the day!!!

 Sean Kelley

Sean Kelley, Mr. Parker, Curtis Sliwa

I'm trying to track down a little bit more information on this but haven't come up with anything so far but this appears to be a seminar Mr. Parker did (per the hand written sign hanging on the wall) with Sean Kelley. (not sure of the name of the kenpoist on the far left of the photo)

Curtis Sliwa, the founder of the Guardian Angles was in attendance as well.

Must have been either very hot in the room or the seminar was intense looking at how worn out Mr. Parker looks.

(from Sean Kelley's Facebook page, posted in memory of photo taken September 30th, 1987)

In Blessed Memory of 'Papa Angel' Chester Sliwa (Curtis's father) he was 91 years young and is now above the clouds with the other Angels looking over his many family members who love him. Here is a photo taken in the 1980's in New York with myself, Harry Krebs, Curtis Sliwa, Ed Parker, Mark Schiffman, and Chester Sliwa....that colorful smile will always be remembered. I enjoyed his stories about knowing Ed Parker and the times being in the Coast Guard. He also spoke of Bruce Lee and James Lee as well...a wealth of knowledge and a heart for loving loving anyone he came into contact with. I will miss him.