The Prince of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ), and son of one the founding members of BJJ, Carlson Gracie Jr., gave of his time and talent in support of Operation Let's Roll (OLR). At right, OLR Chief Instructor and multi-time martial arts world champion was on hand to assist with the training workshop benefiting Soldiers from the Columbus, Ohio, area of operation. Special thanks to the Defense Supply Center Columbus (DSCC) MWR Fitness Center for their continued support and use of the gymnasium.
Supporting America's Warriors, their families, and future military and community leaders since 2012 through the sport of submission grappling.
This is a very special mission for Army Veteran and OLR founder Al Burzynski.
As a Soldier of the 10th Mountain Division, light infantry, he knows the importance and role the sport of submission grappling (military combatives) plays in the armed forces culture as it relates to mission readiness, resiliency, reinforcing the warrior ethos, building camaraderie and reinforcing the Army’s core values that serve as the foundation for our great nation.
As a former Army Public Affairs Officer (PAO) serving with the U.S.Army Recruiting Command (USAREC), Advertising and Public Affairs, he understood the importance of educating the public about the great career opportunities, personal character enrichment and benefits the Army has to offer the next generation of Soldiers who will defend America’s freedom, support peacekeeping operations and humanitarian efforts as a member of one of the world’s finest institutions.
Burzynski’s professional career came full circle while serving as a PAO for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Before he was assisting with putting patriotic Americans in boots in support of the Army’s recruiting mission, now his mission was to take care of them when they hang their boots up.
He came to have a deeper understanding and appreciation for the challenges armed forces members, veterans, and their families faced from every generation ranging from seamless transition back to civilian life, to coping with the invisible wounds of war or traumatic experience to adjusting to life after incurring a life changing injury while serving one’s country.
He developed and executed countless outreach, support, and appreciation events benefiting armed forces members, veterans, and their families. However, he was always striving to develop a support and appreciation event to meet the following objectives:
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Activity every warrior and their family could relate too.
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Activity warriors and family could take part in together regardless of age, gender, or athletic skill level.
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Activity that would allow warrior’s spouses and kids an opportunity to get additional insight into their world
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Activity that promotes morale, welfare, and recreation while building or reestablishing relationships resulting in opening up lines of communications by leveraging the sport of submission grappling (military combatives)
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Opportunity to serve as a Battle-Buddy or a shoulder to lean on.
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Occasion to educate warriors, veterans and their family members about valuable benefits offered by organizations resulting from their service to country.
Check out this great feature story in the March 29, 2015, edition of the Columbus Dispatch..
(Courtesy of the Columbus Dispatch)
A chance encounter with Kristi and Mike Bowersock, multi-time world martial arts champions, during a military appreciation community event led to the inception of Operation Let’s Roll.
Conversely, Burzynski’s other passion is for America’s youth who may be challenged by socio-economic barriers that impede them from realizing their true potential. He leads by example and firmly believes in the axiom: it takes a village to raise child.
Coming from humble beginnings Burzynski will be the first to tell you if it wasn’t for a few good people who didn’t give up or pass judgment on a misguided kid from a nowhere happening town and the opportunity the Army provided him he would either been incarcerated or have met an early demise.
Burzynski has been known to say he owes the Army and those who kept him on the straight and narrow a debt of gratitude because they served as the foundation for his success throughout his life.
Wounded warrior,
amputee leverages the benefits of submission grappling to maintain sound mind, body, and soul.
Courtesty:
Voice of America News
As a way to pay homage to those special people who impacted his life and the institution he holds dearest to his heart, the U.S. Army, he established the Operation Let’s Roll L.D.R.S.H.I.P. (Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless-Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage) youth mentoring program in cooperation with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Columbus benefiting local youth and supporting the Boys and Girls Club of America’s military partnership established in 1991.
The program focuses on the following:
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Introducing youth to the sport of submission grappling (military combatives).
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Teach valuable lessons both on and off the mat.
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Enhanced learning opportunities focusing on L.D.R.S.H.I.P. and patriotism.
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Support and educate future community and military leaders.
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Leverage the sport of submission grappling (military combatives) to break down barriers, establish open lines of communication resulting in mentors sharing valuable personal, professional and life lessons to overcome challenges to achieve goals.
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Participate in future submission grappling tournaments.
Operation Let's Roll Contact Form