From Mr. Vlasic

Mr. Vlasic was not able to create a new post on this blog so he asked that I post this for him.

Hello to all of you out there in the ethereal embrace of the internet. Could any of us in those years decades ago have envisioned the possibility of bringing many of us together in such a way? I doubt seriously the possibility of that, and yet, here we are reminising and laughing together about times which were an important part in making all of us--myself included--the people we are to-day.

All this has certainly caused me to make strong reflections on this past time, and I have realised more than ever how important those years were to me as well. I taught at Blessed Sacrament from 1962 until 1970. starting with Grade V and later moving to Grade VI and exchanging some subjects with Grades VII and VIII which was our early attempt at departmentalisation. That particular transition placed me as a teacher for four years with one group, and I can remember fondly how so many of us cried on that last day when separation occurred, sending this group onward to high school.

My own career moved me to Portage Township Schools, first to Paul Saylor school in South Haven where I had a Grade V class and then on to Aylesworth Middle School where I taught various subjects in Grades VII, VIII, and IX. I was able to establish the same loving relationships with students in Portage as I had in Gary.

In the 1980s things began to change. My school closed. Schools got larger and more impersonal. Outside activities like field trips and travel (which I had used extensively) became difficult, if not impossible. Personal relationships with students--which had always been my trademark of operation (I guess I took "in loco parentis" more literally)--became less acceptable.

My health had deterioriated in the early 1980s and I was allowed an early retirement. I moved to Naples, Florida (I always had difficulty with cold) where I remained until permanently moving to Puerto Rico about four years ago. I had purchased and established a tropical fruit/coffee farm here, so I simply loaded up everything on a ship, sold out in Florida, and rebuilt here. Of course, through the years, I continued my world travel which the summer holidays of teaching allowed me to explore. The Lord has blessed me immensely, and I do have several residences here from the city of San Juan to the Caribbean to the mountain farm.

I came to Puerto Rico because in my world travels I considered it one of the most beautiful and diverse places, but also because of the disillusionment I had with political and economic developments in the United States which, I felt, were leading it to a ruinous future. Perhaps in a paradise outpost this questionable future would be slower to reach and I could feel less guilty as a citizen participant (we are disfranchised here).

Recently, I suspended most of my travel mostly because of my obligations here at home in PR, but also because the world is not so welcoming a place anymore for people from the United States. Your reunion has given me a strong motivation to end this isolation to greet those of you who have been so dear to me from a long time ago, but, knowing myself, I decided this time in my life is best spent at home. It is not without regret, however, that I made this decision, so I hope you will accomodate me by forgiving me my absence in person. I am,as always, with you in spirit and fond memory, and welcome your emails and communications which, I assure you, will be well received and answered. Either email address can be used: maricao6901@yahoo.com or maricao@fastmail.fm

I intend to keep close communication with the blog for as long as it exists and close communication with those of you with whom I have reestablished friendships. I have sent some photos to Chris Colle, and I am sure she will share them with all of you. Right now, I have plenty of room, so I welcome any of you to visit here in Puerto Rico should destiny bring you to this island.

If I may be allowed a digression to the past, most of you will remember me saying at the end of our school day the prayer:

"May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost be and abide with you now and for all time."

I could not mean this more sincerely now. God Bless all of you, and may your lives be further enriched by this great reunion which you will enjoy together!

Sincerely, "Loves",

Richard Allen Vlasic