Today marks the anniversary memorial of the legendary Great Grandmaster Aleju "Al" Reyes, a true pioneer in the world of martial arts.

In the late 1950s Aleju Reyes was setting the groundwork for the first classes at Travis Air Force Base. These classes would become the spark for what would become the Suisun Self Defense Institute.

Professor Aleju Reyes, along with fellow students Leoning, Ramos, Gaylord, and Halbuna, was instrumental in bringing Kajukenbo to the mainland in the late 1950’s. Reyes started the first training classes at Travis Air Force Base. He later opened schools in Suisun City, Vacaville, and Napa.