Birankai 'Royal Wedding' unites East, Midwest

By Rodger Park, Huron Valley Aikikai

October 1, 2011 was an auspicious day for Birankai North America as prominent families of the Eastern and Midwestern houses were symbolically joined in the wedding of Terri Rzeznik of Brooklyn Aikikai and Rodger Park of Huron Valley Aikikai.

The ceremony, officiated by the Rev. Meido Moore of Korinji Zen Monastery and Aikido Shinjinkai in Chicago, took place in the town of Orleans on Cape Cod, Mass., with many BNA witnesses present.

Among these were George Lyons, Shihan, who declared: "With this union, I proclaim that all the dojos of the Midwestern realm of Birankai shall be joined with their East Coast brethren and sistren to defeat the Westerners in next year's Summer Camp softball game."

Rodger Park is chief instructor at Huron Valley Aikikai