Discurso de Abelardo Vara en Montego Bay

May 17th, 2008.

Dear Skalleagues:

I hope you didn’t find too long my extensive speech of the opening ceremony, when I was unexpectedly converted into a master of ceremonies.

However, I feel I must carry on with the presentation of the NAASC past president who are attending our congress, but since I can not read the names on the collar, I will kindly ask all of them to please stand up in order to get our recognition.

After my lousy M.C. performance of yesterday, Phil Simms asked me how I felt. I said I am still ailing from my recent surgery but I also said that I am delighted to receive the warmth and support from this marvelous group of friends which has kept me in the NAASC Presidency for the last two years.

It has been a great honor for me to serve as your President and I have put my best effort in the job.

As you know, a difficult, embarrassing, and sad situation had occurred in NAASC prior to my Presidency and it was something that had to be dealt with, the sooner the better.

So serious was the problem that it reached the highest levels of Skal International and it led to the disappearance of our area committee.

Every step which I took was in close collaboration and with the full support of Skal International and the boards of SIUSA, SICAN, SIMEX and the majority of SIAFF. For this support I must express my deep gratitude.

Inevitably, I also received the rejection and lies of those who are the blame for the scandal.

After a wonderful reception in Jamaica, I was astonished to be handed a legal document with slanderous accusations. It was an unpleasant surprise, but it will not work because the evidence is in our side, as is the support of the vast majority of our friends and Skalleagues.

The good news is that our board and members have decided that our association will remain not as an area committee, but as a North American Alliance of Skal Clubs, with the participation of SIUSA, SICAN and SIAFF. As for my country, Mexico, it was decided in a meeting which I missed, that it will not join any other area committee from South America, not our Skal alliance, for the time being.

However, you can be sure that I and committed Skalleagues will put our best effort to bring back Mexico to this wonderful group.

As for myself and my wife Maria, if you permit us, we should continue to come every year because we have truly found friendship for life amongst all of you.

Finally I must express my congratulations and admiration, to the Montego Bay Skal Club, to the Half Moon Hotel, to its Managing Director Richard Withfield and to the warm and smiling people of Jamaica for this unforgettable congress.

Abelardo Vara