O'Sensei Fey with Sensei Michaelson 

Sensei Michaelson received his Shodan in 1986 and entered the USMA at West Point the same year.  After graduating in 1990 at the rank of Lieutenant, Sensei Michaelson was sent abroad to a variety of different posts and duties.

It was  in 1999 that Sensei Michaelson returned to West Point, not as a student, but as the Unarmed Combat and Tactics Instructor.  He also received the rank of Major.  During this time he introduced Shotokan Karatedo  to the new cadets.  He is also credited with having constructed a genuine Japanese Dojo on the same hallowed grounds as generals MacArthur , Eisenhower and Patton had once studied. 

In July 2000 he sponsored the SKJF Summer Seminar.  Where O’Sensei Fey  Executive Director and Chief Instructor of the SKJF had the honor of both teaching the seminar and promoting Sensei Michaelson to the rank of Godan.

It was a little more than a year ago that O’Sensei Fey shared the news that some of us have heard before over the years and others were just hearing for the first time.  One of our own (Sensei Michaelson) was going off to war.  In this case, the middle east.  Since that time, Sensei Michaelson’s picture, framed by an American flag has hung in a place of honor in the SKJF Honbu Dojo, reminding  us to train a little harder to honor his sacrifices and to remember him.

On March 15, 2004 at approximately 19:40 hrs O’Sensei Fey received a phone call from Sensei Michaelson, letting him know he was alive and well in Texas. 

Sensei Michaelson, from those of us that carry the indelible mark of war and from those of us who kept you in heartfelt thoughts of prayer for a safe return, we would like to say……..

Welcome Home Sensei, Sir, Troop and Hero.