American Eagle Style Goes Jamaica Making Friends Through the Martial Arts Grand Master Clifford Crandall and Master Jill Crandall traveled to Jamaica and on their return April 2, 2000 had some interesting experiences in the sharing and teaching of the martial arts while there. This trip was arranged in conjuction with Monsignor H. Charles Sewall of Utica, New York, a close friend of the Crandall's. Monsenior Sewall had spent three years working in Jamaica as a missionary before his two strokes. His strong desire to return was the stimulant for the three individuals to go to Jamaica. Monsignor Sewall went to teach during the Catholic Lent Period to many of his past and present parishiohners and the Crandall's were able to share in his excitment by being able to teach the martial arts in the same area of Jamaica. Monsignor Sewall and Master Jill Crandall taking in the beauty of the Stella Maris Church where Monsignor Sewall would be preaching. For the first couple of days arrangements had been made for the Crandalls to go to Ocho Rios at the other end of the Island from Kingston. Here Grand Master Crandall had the opportunity to demonstrate the workings of the Baton Tonfa while in Ocho Rios. Many of the police in Jamaica are now using this tool but receiving detailed instruction on the many facets is rare and hard to come by. Grand Master Crandall had the pleasure and opportuity to talk with and demonstrate some of the uses with some of the officers. More exciting was the opportunity for both Grand Master Crandall and Master Crandall to teach American Eagle Style martial arts classes in Kingston, Jamaica. Thanks to Monsignor Albert of Stella Maris Church a one-and-a-half hour instructional time was set up at St. Patrick's Mission Center. This class turned into a two-hour instructional session with boys, girls, women and men. Some of the adults had had three to four years of training in Wu Shu styles and some Capoeira forms. Grand Master Crandall working with Fabion Brown, one of the local martial artists. Grand Master Crandall working on American Eagle Style basic forms. Master Jill Crandall teaching basic kicks to the class. Grand Master Crandall demonstrated self-defense techniques. As some students arrived, others had to leave because of commitments, but with two instructors each student, whether five years old or forty recieved individual assistance in their thirst to learn the American Style. At the conclusion of teaching, those that were there grouped for a picture. The Crandall's were asked to come back and teach in the community for a few days on their next visit to Kingston, Jamaica. Grand Master Crandall's response was with such positive people and beautiful weather he hoped that could happen someday. Grand Master Crandall and Monsignor Sewall at the Kingston, Jamaica airport ready to come home to the United States. Master Jill Crandall and Grand Master Clifford Crandall in the cockpit of the American Airlines 757 before leaving for home. The Martial Arts is truly a key to friendship across oceans.