Tae Kwon Do demonstration at DOT headquarters, Washington, D.C.

779th Medical Support Squadron logistics technician Airman 1st Class Shane Borodycia demonstrates a dragon kick during a health and wellness demonstration May 11 at the U.S. Department of Transportation's Headquarters, Washington, D.C. Airman Borodycia, a black belt, attends Tae Kwon Do classes led by Air Force District of Washington's Deputy Director of Lessons Learned Lt. Col. Henry Lane, at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington D.C. and Joint Base Andrews, Md. (USAF Photo by Benjamin Newell)

Tae Kwon Do demonstration at DOT headquarters, Washington, D.C.

8-year-old Chris Atkins looks on as Tae Kwon Do Master Black Belt Lt. Col. Henry Lane of Air Force District of Washington's Lessons Learned demonstrates self-defense techniques with 779th Medical Support Squadron logistics technician Airman 1st Class Shane Borodycia during a health and wellness demonstration May 11 at the U.S. Department of Transportation's Headquarters, Washington, D.C. Atkins attends Tae Kwon Do classes led by Colonel Lane at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington D.C. Colonel lane also leads Tae Kwon Do at Joint Base Andrews, Md. (USAF Photo by Benjamin Newell)

Tae Kwon Do demonstration at DOT headquarters, Washington, D.C.

Tae Kwon Do Master Black Belt Lt. Col. Henry Lane of Air Force District of Washington's Lessons Learned breaks a one inch thick board held by 779th Medical Support Squadron logistics technician Airman 1st Class Shane Borodycia during a health and wellness demonstration May 11 at the U.S. Department of Transportation's Headquarters, Washington, D.C. The Airmen are backed up by 8-year-old Chris Atkins, who attends Tae Kwon Do classes led by Colonel Lane at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington D.C. (USAF Photo by Benjamin Newell)

AFDW Airmen high-kick for Transportation Department employees

Published May 12, 2011
By Benjamin Newell
AFDW/PA

AIR FORCE DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON -- Air Force District of Washington Airmen gave U.S. Department of Transportation employees a course in breaking boards and self defense at DOT's headquarters in Washington D.C. May 11.

AFDW's Lessons Learned Deputy Director Lt. Col. Henry Lane led an informational show with the aid of 779th Medical Support Squadron logistics technician Airman 1st Class Shane Borodycia and 8-year-old Chris Atkins, son of Air Force senior leadership manager Maj. Pamela Townsend-Atkins.

Colonel Lane holds a black belt and is a master of Tae Kwon Do.

For the colonel, the demonstration requires a stage actor's intuition, combined with the physical discipline of a martial artist. "We really try to gauge what the crowd is interested in as we're going along," said Colonel Lane. "If they really like sparring, we'll do some more of that, if they want to see boards breaking, then that's what we do."

The demonstration was part of DOT's annual Health and Wellness Fair, designed to expose employees to healthy diet, exercise and sleep regiments through informational displays, demonstrations and hands-on exercises.

Belly and African dancers put on demonstrations involving DOT employees, while a few individuals answered Colonel Lane's call for volunteers during his martial arts display.

"Any time we get out into the public is a good chance to make positive connections with the people who live and work in Washington, D.C.," said Colonel Lane. "It's important to demonstrate that we are part of the community, that we bring something to the area."

The colonel brought inch-thick wooden boards to the demonstration. Most of them left in splinters, thanks to the swift strikes of the Tae Kwon Do trio of Atkins, Airman Borodycia and Colonel Lane.

Atkins, a homeschooled pianist, drummer and Tae Kwon Do purple belt, had never performed in front of crowds before. "I really liked sparring, but I wanted to have a chance to spar with Shane!" said Atkins. Airman Borodycia is 12-years older than Atkins, but Tae Kwon Do is about form and technique, which would have helped the pint-sized Atkins in scoring. Unfortunately, the two trained martial artists did not spar for the crowd.

"You know, I've really seen Chris calm down a lot since starting Tae Kwon Do," said his father, Dana Atkins. "Before, he used to want to get really physical, but now, I think he knows that it's more for self defense."

DOT employees present for the demonstration clamored for a chance to study with Colonel Lane. "I usually don't get a chance to get away from the office," said Elizabeth Jenkins, assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Transportation John Porcari. "If Master Lane can come to our gym and teach, that would allow me to get into the sport much easier."

Currently, Colonel Lane leads classes at Fitness Centers on both Joint Base Andrews, Md. and Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C., but he is looking to branch out. "It's pretty clear that people want to see us teaching here," said the Colonel. "They definitely seem interested in Tae Kwon Do, and that's what we're here to do."