Descansa en Paz, Carlos Aballi. Finally.
There was a special assembly at school one day when I was in 7th grade. Our Spanish Teacher, senor Alballi, became a US citizen. It was that day I learned how this prominent attorney from Havana spent years trying to get to America. His children, Carlos and Lourdes, had come first on the Peter Pan flight that was part of a CIA and Catholic Church operation. A lot of subterfuge occured before his wife and he could come to America and rejoin their children. They ended up at Indiana University where they learned English so they could get certification to become Spanish teachers. I didn't take Spanish, but my brother had him for that. I had him for study hall, and later, his son for Drivers Ed. He dedicated his life to teaching the children of his new country the language of his homeland. Were he alive today, he would be joining his expatriots in celebration. I lost track of his son, but I'm sure he is of a like mind as his dad. The strong family ties of the Hispanic people were strained during the years of separation. All to escape the tyrant named Castro.
Now that he is gone, I'm sure Carlos can now rest in peace.
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