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| I love Santa Claus |
Virgil was a believer in Santa Claus. He was Santa for many years. A brief story of it is posted in this article.
He had six loves. Almost as many wives that he had. He loved to laugh. Drink (quit drinking) The Union and Santa Claus. The KWVM and his love for Loretta who was his ex girlgriend who I got back together again. Another story. Not the typical marriage ceremony for them.
But I only knew that he was relieved from work at Christmas time so he could sit outside city hall in the freezing cold to be Santa while sitting in his Santa house
As the years went on Virgil wanted things bigger and better for the kids. Things in fact were getting bigger and better all over with other Santa’s.
So Virgil began coming in on a fire truck. Which has now become a Rhode island tradition. Although many Santa’s use helicopters, Sleighs pulled by horses lol etc. But the one difference is that they were not the real Santa. Virgil is.
He kept a notebook which had all of his scheduled dates to appear. He also looked like Santa. In fact I had to look twice at our member Uncle Charlie because he has such a great resemblance to Virgil.
Everyone at work loved Virgil. Not only did they love him but respected him. And he was a powerhouse. He knew how to get what he had to for the union. Except with me. Another story.
Virgil and I worked well together. Virgil and ANYONE worked well with one another. When it came to being Santa there just was no other Santa like Virg.
http://archive.southcoasttoday.com/daily/12-96/12-24-96/a03s r023.htm
No one at work ever called him Santa. Even though we knew his passion. But one day he went to court. If I know virg like I say I do then he did this to stop lying to the kids.
He went before Judge McBurney who I myself was not fond of and was not surprised she gave him a hard time. As Virgil tells it he was told to think about this decision for 30 days. Well we all have seen ”A Miracle on 34th street” So you know where she was going with this. According to Virg she told him he needed psychological help, which was the reason for the thirty-day thinking period.
Virg went back in Thirty days and reluctantly but for the sake of the public and her own reputation of being a scrooge happily gaveled and announced that Virgil Almeida is now Santa Claus.
Every year Virg would have a Christmas party.
One particular year When we went to his house for a Christmas Party he showed us his Social Security card and License. Both had the name Santa Claus. By this time Virg was not drinking, nor did he ever ever drink while with or near a child. Only when we went out, or at party’s.
While at that particular party he also showed us the gift that Loretta gave him for Christmas. It was a $500 wide Santa clause belt with a gold buckle. He was thrilled. But also when we pulled up in the drive, there was a car parked there (Virgil never drove, I guess he decided it was time) The car was a small wagon, painted Christmas green, previously fire engine red, with all of Santa’s reindeers names written all over it. Then on the passenger side on the door you saw Mrs. Claus. It brought chills, tears, happiness and smiles to everyone’s face. We love Santa so much. Santa is a good friend and someone who knows how to BE a friend.
Santa has arrived in many forms of transportation. He has made many children happy. He has enjoyed his rewarding job and never bragged about it. He just went on in life doing what Santa does.
When he says he does not answer to Virgil he means it. He has more than earned the name Santa
Also Santa had another part of him. Santa was a Marine during the Korean war and was wounded. His dream was that there would be a Korean War Veteran’s Memorial. I too was happy because I know of one person who never returned. Roger Dumas and I am close friends with his Brother Bob. I had been the president of the POW committee and Loretta was a part of that. We all wear our bracelets; let it be from Korea or Vietnam. For all the years of being his friend he always wore his
red had with his two passions decorating his hat. Pow KWVM pins and anything representing Christmas Santa Vietnam or the union.
The three of us had a passion for the men and woman who served our country and the ones who never returned. Santa’s prayers were answered and he now was a proud Santa Claus.
When we would attend these yearly Christmas party’s It was just so special. The sitting Mayor would be there with his wife, Like it or not you had conversation with him. Lol Santa had this one room that he had this HUGE “L” shaped table. And on this HUGE table was his Christmas Village. One could have spent the whole night just looking at all of the houses and Scenery. It was beautiful.
Then outside in front of the house were crosses. Each one representing our MIA and POW’s from the state of RI. At a certain time we would all put on our coats to retreat to the front porch. We said a prayer and each of us would have a name to read out loud as each person stepped in front of the cross representing that person.
We ended it with sadness and with Loretta Always saying “Bring
them home”
(tears are in
my
eyes)
All of the neighbors would surround for the yearly ritual.
Before Santa, The four of us would go on mini vacations at the cape. So now I can say, I vacationed with Santa Claus.
Next, How Virg and Loretta became reunited and their wedding
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Posted by kal on 2009-09-01 22:20:35 | Rating: | Views: 71
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