Presented by Buddy Weaver
Tonight I am here to present the CALLERLAB Gold Card. As
previously mentioned, it is a special category of CALLERLAB
membership to recognize members who have served our
organization in an outstanding manner. Since the first Gold Card
was issued in 1978, there have only been 25 recipients. Tonight’s
honoree will be the first Gold Card recipient from outside North
America.
Our person of honor was introduced to square dancing in the early 1960s while a university
student. Around the same time that he graduated with a degree in commerce and entered the
corporate world, he found himself interested in being a caller. The year is 1965 and following
attendance at local caller clinics, our honoree joined the regional callers association. He would
become the club caller for 2 square dance clubs. He is the only local resident permitted to teach
square dancing on the United States military base, a position he held for some 36 years.
Fluent in English, he has always worked for American-based firms while residing in his home,
Tokyo, Japan. His ability to speak both Japanese and English fluently has made him an all important contact for square dancing in Japan for decades. He has been a vital link for many callers and dancers who travel to Japan as an interpreter, as a guide, and as a true friend. He was
the first Japanese caller to be featured on a Sets In Order documentary and sound album. One of
the few Japanese callers to be a staff recording artist of a square dance label, he has 24 recordings
to his credit.
In 1975, membership in CALLERLAB was by invitation only. He was one of the first two Japanese
callers to journey from Tokyo, Japan to Chicago, IL for the sole purpose to join CALLERLAB. He
has volunteered his time and effort in translating much of our documents into his native language.
He has shared the experience of CALLERLAB with all of the callers back home. In the words of
his fellow Japanese callers, “He has made great efforts and achievements in the
internationalization of the square dance world in Japan.”
Today he has found it necessary to retire from the square dancing activity that he loves. He is
facing many challenges of late but he is strengthened by his wife of 53 years, Katsuko. We will
miss his at the dances. We will miss him at CALLERLAB. We will never forget him. He is no
longer able to attend but on behalf of this great organization, the international association of
square dance callers, the CALLERLAB Gold Card is presented to Tac Ozaki.
The recording of tonight’s events and this Gold Card will be presented to Tac in his home at his
quiet bedside by his good friend, Masaru Wada.