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Independence 2018

July 11, 2018 Leave a comment
Independence Celebration with D.J. José Ramírez at “Polish American Club”

By Charlie Quiles

As any club member will readily admit we are represented by a diverse group of Latin American cultures. However, we recognize and welcome all cultures from around our globe. Our membership is comprised of a panoply of individuals. We are Iberians; we are Italians; we are French; we are Germans; we are Scots; we are English. Most of all and very importantly we share the common thread of living in a land that has provided most of us with the ability to eke out a decent life for ourselves and our families, the United States of America.

Earlier this month, on July 4th, the U.S.A. celebrated it’s independence in 1776. July holds a special significance for many of our neighbors throughout our western hemisphere for the same reason. Independence came to Colombia on July 20, 1810; to Venezuela on July 5, 1811; to Argentina on July 9, 1816; to Peru on July 28, 1821; to Canada on July 1, 1867, and; to the Bahamas on July 10, 1973. There must be something about those hot summer months that made the blood boil with a yearning to be free.

Anyway, we asked our members to bring a symbol of their cultural heritage. Carlos Mejía brought his Colombian national flag, his wife Elizabeth a bright red and white plaque with the coat of arms of Perú. Nancy Rozon was dressed in a white blouse with yellow, blue, red ruffles and bright red slacks. Her niece Rosie Basabe displayed the same resplendent colors throughout her outfit expressing their Venezuelan culture.

Some of our Puertorriqueño (Puerto Rican) members wore traditional guayaberas (lightweight cloth jacket for men). Borinqueños Charlie and Maria Quiles, wore non-traditional t-shirts emblazoned with the Puerto Rican flag in the background. Three individuals were depicted within the flag: a Spanish conquistador; a Taíno warrior, and a person of African descent. His were men and hers were women. Inscribed on the shirts were the words ‘Mi Raza’ acknowledging a mix of races, all of them contributors to the proud Puerto Rican heritage.

The hard work of our Board of Directors: President, Rubén Alemán; Vice President, Nancy Rozon; Treasurer, Luis Carillo; Acting Interim Secretary, Charlie Quiles; Public Relations Director, Ramón Guadalupe, and Director, Carlos Mejía has to be acknowledged. Thank you all, we applaud your efforts.

The Spanish American Club was founded in 1992. The mission of the club is to promote friendship and solidarity among its members and other nonprofit organizations throughout the Treasure Coast through cultural, social, civic and sport activities; to promote knowledge of all Spanish speaking countries, their geography, history, art, and folklore.

Birthdays
From left Rubén Alemán, Mirta Zapata, Félix Sanabria and José Echevarría
Door prizes
From left Rubén Alemán, Galud Segura (Door prize winner), Charlie Quiles (Door prize winner, Colberti Bodden (Door prize winner, Néstor Pereira and Carlos Mejía

50/50
From left Charlie Quiles, Luis Carrillo, Nancy Rozon, María Quiles (50/50 winner), Rubén Alemán Roberta Linares (50/50 winner), Rubén and Carlos Mejia.

From left (Back row) Gus Meza, Rey Matias, Herman Santa and Lionel Román. Seated Cecilia Pulido, Karen Meza, Lucy Santa and Mercy Román

 

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