WHAT:
Tribute To The Unknown(s)
WHEN:
March 21, 2026 at 7:30 P.M.
This event will coincide with the 50th Anniversary of the U.S.A. Martial Arts Hall of Fame
WHO:
At this year’s U.S.A. Martial Arts Hall of Fame, Gordon Richiusa, (founder and director of Heroes Hearts Inc) will turn the tables slightly and with the help of Jim Thomas (Founder and Director of the U.S.A. Martial Arts Hall of Fame), and Martial Arts legend Eric Lee, will offer the first ever Tribute to the Unknowns—in this case the unknown students of Martial Arts.
Jim Thomas will present Eric Lee a living tribute (in this case a bonsai tree) representing all of the millions of unknown students of martial arts who have attempted to better their lives through a dedication—no matter how brief or life long—to a pursuit of self improvement. “This idea is very powerful, in my opinion,” said Thomas.
*This will be the first in a series of tribute-presentations planned to include similar acknowledgements for professionals or lay-persons, teachers and students, athletes and coaches, medical professionals and their patients, survivors of trauma, victims of all kinds, volunteers, first responders, conservationists, artists, journalists, and any other hero as defined by Heroes Hearts Inc’s mission to “oppose discrimination and abuse in all forms while helping heroes one good deed at a time.”
Gordon Richiusa added, “Our motto at Heroes’ Hearts is, Do Something Good and is based upon the request my father made of me when he gave me the only sweetheart souvenir from the battle of Pearl Harbor, a bracelet he made from a downed Japanese plane for my mother after that battle. He gave this simple aluminum bangle to me at my mother’s memorial service, saying simply, ‘Do something good with this.’
“I promised him I would, not really knowing what that my promise meant. These living and growing tributes, as with all HH projects are attempts of our non-profit to be our own best example of my promise to my father.”
WHERE: to be held at: Crown Plaza, 3131 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, CA 92626 For more information, press photos or releases about the event, call Jim Thomas at 808-778-8768 or email: usnmat@hotmail.com
PRESS WELCOME for Tribute taping of presentation at 7:15 and 7:30 p.m. and for Black-Belt workshops on both March 20th and 21st prior to the banquet.
At the Tribute Presentation (21st) itself WITH CREDENTIALS, PLEASE do not sit down in the banquet hall (immediately following the presentation) for dinner without ticket purchase. CONTACT U.S.A. Martial Arts Hall of Fame Director, Jim Thomas (ASAP) to have your name added to the Press or Guest List. Seating is limited.
Learn more about Heroes’ Hearts Inc go to the website: www.heroeshearts.org
