Dear Membership,

This issue of the newsletter contains an excerpt of a fascinating article written by AHF member, Ms. Suzanne Marshall. The article in its entirety is available in the new article section of the website. We would like to encourage our members to submit well-researched papers for inclusion in this new feature.

In the future, the article section will be open only to the membership. We plan to have a for-members-only section on the website in place by the middle of November. I again remind the membership that this is an association of fencers for fencers, so we need your input and feedback so we may better serve you.

The AHF has been using the categories of Classical, Historical, and Ancient as classifications of different periods of fencing. Because of language and literal translation problems found specifically within the English-speaking community, we have decided to change these classifications. This change is especially important since we are working to solidify a formal alliance with the British Federation for Historical Swordplay. The new period classifications will be presented to the Board at our next meeting for ratification. They will then be posted on the website.

We begin a new membership year on August 1st, 2000. I look forward to working with you to full fill the mission statement of the AHF. The AHF will continue to work to educate the public and promote the art and science of Traditional Historical Fencing.

Sincerely,
Maestro Ramón Martínez
AHF President