MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Dozens of Camp Pendleton children and their parents gathered at Camp Pendleton’s Abby Reinke Community Center for a Samurai Expo hosted by the Exceptional Family Member Program, Nov. 20.
The Exceptional Family Member Program is a Department of Defense program designed to assist military families with special needs by increasing opportunities whether it be physical activity or for leisure.
The exclusive affair was open to more than 80 parents and children, who received a book reading by Robert Gould, the founder and creator of “Time Soldiers” adventure books, and a martial-arts demonstration by special guest Sensei Richard Rabago, who has appeared in movies such as “Power Ranger/VR Trooper,” “Full Impact” and “Blood Fist IV.”
After the reading and before the martial arts demo, the children were able to release some energy with a martial-arts style circuit course.
“My son Noah had a lot of fun and enjoyed interacting with other children and the sensei,” said Senior Chief Petty Officer Paul A. Johnson, operations chief, Field Medical Training Battalion West, and Los Angeles native. Noah was born at 24 weeks and receives special therapy to assist him with basic motor skills. “Noah is a huge fan of martial arts. He also participates in Tae Kwon Do out in town and it really helps make his muscles stronger.”
This Samurai Expo was the second event of its kind at the community center. Exceptional Family Member Program hosted the first martial arts program in August, and its success brought it back to base, said Ampornpan Solie-Palmer, case worker, EFMP, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.
Rabago was assisted by Sensei Tien Le, who runs a Shorin Ryu Karate dojo outside Camp Pendleton. Le has been instructing karate for the past nine years, working mostly with children from base, to include those who have special needs. Le’s main mission is to teach them that they can do anything.
“I teach kids that they need to find their own way of doing whatever they are trying to accomplish,” said Le. “I treat all children the same, but take their disability into account when we are training.”
Le has helped children with a range of disabilities, finding ways to train them regardless of what gives them trouble.
“My son Hunter learned how to kick and balance through Le’s help,” said Lori A. Brown, a Marine spouse. “To be able to attend an event like this has boosted my son’s self-esteem and confidence; I can’t thank EFMP enough for putting this together.”
The Exceptional Family Member Program hosts different events every month to help parents with special needs children and adults, such as support groups, workshops or recreational activities.
For more information about becoming a part of the Exceptional Family Member Program, call 760-725-5363 for the Mainside office or 760-763-0868 for the San Onofre office.