Joining the Military or Salt of the Earth

Young man off to war with friend

Brandon Jurrens and Sah Bum Nim, Becky Rupp

Some people are salt-of-the-earth. They make the world work. They volunteer for the hard jobs, the ones that no one else wants. Some people show this quality at a young age. Brandon Jurrens is one of them. He graduated from high school last year. A handsome, cheerful young guy, he is talented physically. He got his black belt in Tang Soo Do and has been a important part of our dojang for years. His family has been part of this community since the 1800’s. Reed Mountain was named after a great grandfather of his. His father, Randy, went to school with me and works at Caltrans as a heavy equipment operator.

This week Brandon is entering the United States Air force. He’ll be going to basic training in Texas and then heading out to Virginia for training as a helicopter mechanic.

Typical nice guy, Brandon spent his last Saturday at home working for the dojang. There was a test and he spent the sunny day inside working up a sweat, guiding testers through their warmup exercises and making sure they were kept working even during down times when they weren’t on the spot–a necessary but not exciting job.

I’m not a real fan of the military. I don’t like it’s culture and I don’t like what it does in countries like Iraq but…and this is a big but… I know many people in the military believe they are doing the hard job of keeping our country safe. I may not agree with their methods but I admire their willingness to step up and do difficult work. Like I said, people like Brandon are the salt of the earth.

My littlest is always searching for synonyms. If he asks, I’ll tell him another word for salt-of-the-earth is HERO.
Our Dojang family had a farewell party for him last night.

couple

Eli Whipkey and Kisa Rupp

Maria Gale and Joseph Eddy

Gypsy and Tex

Leeland and his nephew, Dustin

The eyes tell you they’re related

Mike Miller

Meridyth, Teacher at Legget

 

Tyler

But somehow I deleted the picture of Carol, Tyler’s Grandma. She is a mainstay of our Tang Soo Do community.

 

Good Luck, Brandon

 

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17 Comments
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Jen
Guest
Jen
16 years ago

Good luck to Brandon. What an awesome guy.

Jen
Guest
Jen
16 years ago

Good luck to Brandon. What an awesome guy.

Monica
Guest
16 years ago

Hey Kym-
What’s the difference between a dojang and a dojo?
~Monica~

Monica
Guest
16 years ago

Hey Kym-
What’s the difference between a dojang and a dojo?
~Monica~

Staff
Member
16 years ago

One is Korean based school and another is a Japanese based school. Basically, it is like saying home or casa. But it does differentiate between whether the martial art is Korean (Long stretched out kicks) or Japanese (short jabbing kicks). There are, of course, other differences.

Mom
Guest
Mom
16 years ago

I have known Brandon since he was just a little guy and he has always been ‘salt of the earth.’ One of those kids, who was always just quietly there. A great kid and now, a great young man.
I wish you well, Brandon.

Mom
Guest
Mom
16 years ago

I have known Brandon since he was just a little guy and he has always been ‘salt of the earth.’ One of those kids, who was always just quietly there. A great kid and now, a great young man.
I wish you well, Brandon.

bluelaker4
Guest
bluelaker4
16 years ago

I seem to remember the name Nancy Jurrens…must be related yes?

bluelaker4
Guest
bluelaker4
16 years ago

I seem to remember the name Nancy Jurrens…must be related yes?

Eli Whipkey
Guest
Eli Whipkey
15 years ago

Kym! You scared me! I googled my name and Kisa and mine showed up, it freaked me out at first! Glad to see a friendly face! I miss Brandon though, my buddy has gone and disappeared on me 🙁 Now what can I do?! I’m sure he’s having fun in training, I can’t wait to hear from him! His basic training will be ending in a few weeks, hopefully we’ll get some word from him!

Eli Whipkey
Guest
Eli Whipkey
15 years ago

Kym! You scared me! I googled my name and Kisa and mine showed up, it freaked me out at first! Glad to see a friendly face! I miss Brandon though, my buddy has gone and disappeared on me 🙁 Now what can I do?! I’m sure he’s having fun in training, I can’t wait to hear from him! His basic training will be ending in a few weeks, hopefully we’ll get some word from him!

Staff
Member
15 years ago

Hey Eli,

Sorry I spooked you!

I hope Brandon is doing ok there. Let me know when you hear from him. I’ll bet he isn’t having any trouble with the basic training part though. 200 pushups, no problem for him.

Meredyth
Guest
Meredyth
14 years ago

Hey, Kym! I sure miss you! I know you’re doing the AM classes, but it would be cool if you could drop in once in a while for the PM classes. Your site is fun to peruse. I was looking for Kisa’s magazine name by using her name, and there you were! I will check it out more often!
Take care, Meredyth

Meredyth
Guest
Meredyth
14 years ago

Hey, Kym! I sure miss you! I know you’re doing the AM classes, but it would be cool if you could drop in once in a while for the PM classes. Your site is fun to peruse. I was looking for Kisa’s magazine name by using her name, and there you were! I will check it out more often!
Take care, Meredyth