My fellow Baltimorean and combatant, Brian, a Wing Chun teacher under my friend Arturo Gabriel, the Chicorican on the cover of The Logic of Steel, has logged a heartfelt ethergram for a man who helped him on his way.

Before checking out Brian’s ode, I would like to take the chance to thank all of the men who helped me on my combative way, those who have passed from this life and those from whose life I have thoughtlessly passed, for I have abandoned a number of masculine mentors and colleagues in my quest as a writer. These men either trained me or gave me free training space or taught me how to train others. Without all of them I would not be the hard-headed heathen I am today.

Red’s Foley—passed

Mister Joe—passed

Old Mo—passed

Ed Jones

Arturo Gabriel

Rich Peterson

“Irish” Johnny Coiley

Jim Sofley

Jim Fredericks—passed

David Lumsden

Kevin Lumsden

Damien Kestle

Tom Clark

Chris Clark

Sensei Steve Jansen

Charles Wallace

Coach Jim—passed before his time

Maestro Bob Light

Master Edgar Livingston

Ron Lygren

Referee Johnny V.

Jimmy Hines—passed

Frank Gilbert—passed

Coach George—passed

Aaron Seligson—beat me in 34 stick fights, and then coached me briefly

Rico Arus—beat me in 3 stick-fights, and then coached me thrice, cornering for me in Virginia Beach

Matt Graham

Master Lee Dinateli

Chuck Goetz

Sean Glass

For most of these men, they loom far larger in my life, than I in theirs, and there one finds humility waiting in every-self-shaded corner of the ego.

Brian, thanks for reminding me I had neglected to honor these men.

A Late Tribute for Sifu Abdulmuhisy Abdurrahmam