Ring Day Ceremony

 

The ring day ceremony, I always remember that day. A rite of passage. On this day we became the  senior class.

In preparation for the ceremony, Sister Elizabeth was showing us how to sing the song “The Long and Winding Road” by Lennon and McCartney which had been released four years before. In order to demonstrate, how it should be sung, one of the rising Juniors sang a beautiful version of it. The class liked it so much that by acclamation, they voted to have her sing it during the actual ceremony. 

After the celebration of mass and the ceremony where each member of the class received their ring, we were all supposed to go back to our classes and continue to the school day. No one wanted to do that. 

Some students produced the idea of going to breakfast to celebrate. The idea gained momentum and all of us wanted to ask Father for permission. Finally, one of the ladies, I have forgotten which one, finally asked Father if the class could go to breakfast and then return to school. Father asked one question and it was: Suppose I let you go to breakfast? How do I know you will return? To myself I was thinking Forget it. It is not going to happen. All of a sudden and much to my surprise,  Father Lechiara yells Moose! Now Father had a distinct was of yelling Moose that was as impressive as the way Coach Grosso would do it; not scary but pretty close. Father said something like Moose, the problem is that I do not know if I can trust these students.  Will they return?  Will they return after having breakfast.  He kind of asked  us and of course everyone said, of course we will. Father went on and said.  I don’t know if I can trust these guys and said to me:  Moose, I can trust you.  Will they return? I said  yes.

I was totally surprised.   Can you guarantee that all these students will be back after Breakfast?  Will you give me your word that each and every one of the students would return after breakfast? Again I said yes. 

I always regard myself as an understated individual.  Why would father ask me of all people? I was kind of pleased and proud he actually asked me.  I was taking a Religion class with him, maybe that is why. He knew my name.  I ended up getting a ride from Victor and we went to the Airport Marriott.  And, we had breakfast.  All the time I kept was worried that half of us would not return.  What will father think then?

We arrived back at ILS and we had time to kill until the next class in the schedule.  Tom Maroon decided to drive some golf balls off the sea wall behind the Ermita.  He said he had some new golf clubs.  I had never used a golf club, ever.  I may have used a putter at the “golfito” or the putt-putt.  I figured how difficult can this be?  So, I watched Tom, and I think Joe Yesbeck drive some golf balls into Biscayne Bay.   I said: Can I try that?  I placed the golf ball.  I think it was just on the cement but I do not remember.  I doubt we had tees available.  I just do not remember.  I remember I yelled Fore!  Golfers do that I heard.  I looked for the ball in the sky.  And heard a strange sound as the sound a quiet helicopter would make as it was taking off.   I looked up and said to myself, Wow, Brother Ramon was right.  The club would spin around its center of gravity.  I then saw the golf club, a #3 wood spinning around its center of gravity and falling into the bay.  I was shocked. I did not realize the center of gravity for the club was so close to the portion which is used to hit the ball.  I also did not know what to say.  To make matters worse a number 3 wood is not that common.  I kept saying what will Tom say?  I felt really bad. Tom said not to worry.  They will get it later.  It may have gone into the little island which could be reached at low tide.  Both Joe and Tom told me the following Monday they were able to retrieve it.  I am not sure if they were just trying to make me feel better. 

I remember the kiss.

 

On May 20, 2022, at 5:41 PM, Ramon Lopez del la Vega <lopezdel@fiu.edu> wrote:

I have been on vacation for the last two weeks.  During vacations I purposely do not answer emails; I need to get away.  It was during that time that everyone began writing back and forth about different topics.   I would read the email,  it would remind me of something and I really wanted to comment but then I had other responsibilities like relaxing and not thinking of anything else.  

Your stories are incredible. Pat, every time I would read one of yours I would be on the edge of my seat.   What happened now?  I really love everyone’s contribution to our emails.  They are a great resource for all of us to trigger beautiful memories. 

I did notice that the baseball and track athletes seem to have a better recollection of many instances than football players.  I have one football story.

It was the first game of the season.  We were playing at Milander Park (Hialeah Stadium), it was a night game.  I do not really remember the team we were playing against.  I do remember I felt good about it.  We probably won.  

On the first play the opposing team ran an option play.  I was very happy that I tackled the running back or the quarterback.   The announcer said “López on the tackle”.   

That was a really big deal to me.

Those of you who played the “skill” positions get your name announced by the announcer often. Linemen hardly get their name called.  That was the first time my name was announced, ever.   I was even happier since my family, including my dad, was in the stands.  My dad had never seen me play.  That is what happens when you have a huge family and your dad has to work so much.  All of us want to impress our dad. Even though my dad has passed, I still do. I was really happy.  

On the next play the opposing team ran up the middle; Cesar’s position.  The announcer said “Pumariega on the tackle”.  

 All through the game very often I would hear either López on the tackle or Pumariega on the tackle.  I was having a great time.  But then I realized I was getting called a little too often.  Several plays later the announcer said “López on the tackle.”  The problem was that it was on the opposite side.  I was nowhere close to the play.   A bit later I was on the sideline when the announcer again said: “López on the tackle”  I just laughed to myself.  Lets face it my dad must really have been impressed.  

I asked someone: who was the announcer?  They told me it was George Armada.  I knew he was one of us. He pronounced Pumariega perfectly.

George and I go way back.  George’s brother Al was my brother Roberto’s roommate in Gainesville.   I just thought: George was just being nice to Cesar and me.  

After the game I changed clothes and went toward Rocky’s car since he was going to take me home.  I see Jorge who had parked behind the Science building.  I actually thanked him.  He said Pero Moose, es que no me dieron el roster.  Yo no sabia quien era quien.  Y cuando tu estabas cerca I would call out your name.  (sorry for the Spanglish; Moose they did not give me a roster for the team.  Whenever I saw you close to the play, I would call your name).  It turned out very well, my family was very impressed.  Thank you, Jorge.  

Rocky and I kept walking to his car.  On the way I spoke to one of the beautiful ILS ladies. 

She said she was proud of me.  She said I must have played very well.  She heard my name a lot. Then she hugged and kissed me.  

Thank you, Jorge!!!

What our minds choose to remember years after any occurrence or happening, has always intrigued me.  Some may not remember any of this story or that game. 

I remember a lot but specifically remember only several things.   I remember being happy when I made the first tackle and Jorge called out my name.  The actual making of the tackle I do not.   I also remember arriving late at the next tackle on the next play and watching Cesar make the tackle.  The rest of the times my name was mentioned I just remember noticing it and laughing internally.  

What I actually specifically remember this many years later was .....the hug ....and the kiss.

I  remember the kiss.

Fight on my friends  

 

Moose.