Today The Warrior Blog is pleased to present an interview with Mr John Lu O.L.C.M.S.S. (Operation Lion Claws Military Simulation Series)
Can you share with us how OLCMSS came in to being?
OLCMSS began as a DARE and JOKE at a luncheon with friends. After I lost all my business as a result of post-911 mismanagement. Airsoft Elite founder, James Tai, and his assistant at the time, Mr. Walter Chang, (yes, current CEO of Airsoft GI) chatted over the possibility of having well known military VIPs to lead men and women in Airsoft battles. My initial reaction was "Hell No!" I wasn't going to ask real military heroes to "play soldier". But after a careful study at the potential benefit to USAREC, I approached Col. McKnight (Black Hawk Down) and my mentor/uncle/friend Sgt. Kenn Miller (a Vietnam LRRP legend)and that's how LC was born. I nearly lost my shirt over LC-1 if it wasn't for Alvin of former Infinity Airsoft who stepped up financially. We had 79 players total, most didn't believe I could deliver Col. McKnight as by then there had been a couple of large airsoft events but were both "over promised and under delivered" so folks were skeptical..."Who the hell are you? And, right, YOU know Col. McKnight...sure...." In addition, 12.5 years ago there was no ready websites, no fields, Paintball was still God which all compounded my challenges. After LC-I words spread, LC-II drew 150 pax, and IRENE was born the same
year (2003)with a modest 80 attendees (again, same attitude..."who the hell is John Lu and right, you know Col. McKnight?"...).
OLCMSS began as a DARE and JOKE at a luncheon with friends. After I lost all my business as a result of post-911 mismanagement. Airsoft Elite founder, James Tai, and his assistant at the time, Mr. Walter Chang, (yes, current CEO of Airsoft GI) chatted over the possibility of having well known military VIPs to lead men and women in Airsoft battles. My initial reaction was "Hell No!" I wasn't going to ask real military heroes to "play soldier". But after a careful study at the potential benefit to USAREC, I approached Col. McKnight (Black Hawk Down) and my mentor/uncle/friend Sgt. Kenn Miller (a Vietnam LRRP legend)and that's how LC was born. I nearly lost my shirt over LC-1 if it wasn't for Alvin of former Infinity Airsoft who stepped up financially. We had 79 players total, most didn't believe I could deliver Col. McKnight as by then there had been a couple of large airsoft events but were both "over promised and under delivered" so folks were skeptical..."Who the hell are you? And, right, YOU know Col. McKnight...sure...." In addition, 12.5 years ago there was no ready websites, no fields, Paintball was still God which all compounded my challenges. After LC-I words spread, LC-II drew 150 pax, and IRENE was born the same
year (2003)with a modest 80 attendees (again, same attitude..."who the hell is John Lu and right, you know Col. McKnight?"...).
The why of OLCMSS:
We're deeply grateful to the supports afforded to us from player base and will never forget where we came from and WHY we do this. OLCMSS will continue to strive for a better future as long as airsoft remains closely tied with the military; at least for us, this tie is very important. We'll continue to donate to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation as we had
in the past.
Can you give me your impressions of the sport for your personal perspective:
My initial impression of Airsoft was not positive due to the fact that I had to rent a brand new Tokyo Marui out of the box; sucked! LoL...that was 13.5 years ago before the days of AEX or any stores.
Once I had a chance to enjoy the game, my favorite is Operation Hac Bao. For me Airsoft is about Military Simulation; and personally, a historical themed game is what it's all about! Quietly sneaked through the jungle...crawl through bamboo tunnels...armed with just my .45....oh, yes, it's PERSONAL when it's a pistol kill...it's stealth and skill!! LoL
What was your favorite location for your events and why?
So for me, personally, Sanna Ranch is my favorite AO due to it's dense jungle setting.
What you see as the future of Airsoft in the United States?
I hope Airsoft continues to grow as an Adventure Sport in the US. Like football, soccer, and other mainstream sports, I see airsoft as a passage to adulthood where children learn to work and respect others via proper coaching...and in airsoft, these coaches are our military VIPs.
Any final words?:
..Message to ALL immigrants...LOVE USA to the fullest and be proud to be an American!
John Lu
Producer
Operation Lion Claws Military Simulation Series
www.olcmss.com
www.oplionclaws.com
www.bestofusamkt.com
Bio:
John Lu is a special event and celebrity event specialist who also has comprehensive experience in international tourism marketing and promotion.
Born in Taiwan, Lu went to high school in Hawaii and after graduation, to the University of Denver on a national scholarship for fine arts. Lu furthered his education at Cambridge University in the UK where he studied under noted English painters and worked alongside accomplished European artists at the John Constable Field Study Center for International Artists.
The combination of arts and politics (Lu minor in Political Science while majoring in Fine Art) prompted Lu to visit historical cities throughout Europe, including the, then, DDR. Surrounded by European arts and culture, Lu got to learn the inner workings of international relations first-hand as he traveled from country to country. Lu’s Hawaii summer job of tour guiding turned into a 25-year career in the international tourism industry. In 1989, while on a China tour assignment, Lu was able to negotiate for food, shelter, and transportation; and was able to successfully extract a group of sixteen American tourists from China during the Tien-An-Men Square incident.
In 1997, Lu launched Best of USA Marketing, a full service company focusing on representing US cities’ efforts to market tourism to Asia and Russia and also offering unique opportunities for foreign clients to interact with US celebrities via exclusive events.
Lu was hired to produce the first US-Russian Petroleum Conference featuring 475 Russian oil executives and Mayor of Moscow in 1997. Lu’s unique approach to events and conventions did not go unnoticed by US corporations. In summer of 2000, Lu put on the most effective branding convention that the toy industry has ever witnessed on behalf of 21st Century Toys, Inc., and has since been producing conventions and events for firms with specific agendas.
While firms hid and remained passive after the 911 tragedy in 2001, Lu move ahead with the first annual A Weekend of Heroes in Spring 2002. The largest military action figure toy convention in North America, A Weekend of Heroes provides a platform for the next generation to gain a sense of military history and honors military heroes of yesteryears via a fun and energetic environment.
In 2002, Lu launched North America’s largest war game simulation titled “Operation Lion Claws Military Simulation Series” (O.L.C.M.S.S.) featuring retired US Army Ranger Col. Danny McKnight of “Black Hawk Down” fame, among many other well-known military personalities. This war game series assists US military in Recruitment & Retention in addition to benefiting military charities with portions of its proceeds.
When asked why the military? Lu answered “I benefited first hand from US military servicemen when I was a child growing up in Taiwan; I will never forget those trips to Toyland and the ‘G.I.Joe’ toys Uncle Harvey bought me……this is my way of paying tribute to the best and the kindest military in the world.”
Lu produced a revolutionary tourism marketing DVD for Southern California in 2008 featuring a Chinese-speaking Anglo American targeting the Chinese Elite market.
“Think with a brush. The business world is a giant piece of canvas for all to apply
their creativity,” Lu states.
My personal note....
I wish to add my personal thanks to a couple of great men who made this post possible, First to Mr. John Lu who so graciously gave of his time for this interview and was willing to share candidly about his experiences. Finally I wish to express my thanks to my friend and mentor, Mr. Keoni Hahn the Team Captain and Founder of the Airsoft Ikaika Warriors who was able to make this interview possible with his friend, Mr. Lu...
Padre'
No comments:
Post a Comment