Ricardo Cruz:
CLASS OF 1982
Homestead High SchoolClass of 1982
Homestead, FL
Campbell Drive Junior High SchoolClass of 1980
Leisure city, FL
Mays Middle SchoolClass of 1978
Goulds, FL
Ricardo's Story
Ricardo is from Miami, Florida. Ricardo's schools include Homestead High School. I attended Mays Jr, then off to South Dade for a year pending the opening of Homestead Sr. High. From Homestead I left early to join the Army. I joined the service, became a Paratrooper, and was a member of the 82nd Airborne Combat Engineers (followed my big brother's footsteps). There I went back to school and earned my degree in Engineering. After several combat tours, I was injured, and medically retired, I went back to school where I further studied Political Science. I spent sometime in the private sector working as a Facility Engineer, and was then recruited by the Department of State's Foreign Service as a Foreign Service Specialist where I have worked and lived all over the world. I lived and worked in many countries including Baghdad and Pakistan (of course I had to go back and fight the bad guys and work on establishing diplomacy) then to Islamabad, Peshawar, Lahore, Riyad, Dharan, Africa, Germany, Madagascar, Mauritius, Jamaica, Cayman, Germany, Ecuador, and Cuba. I've had several tours in Eruope, the middle east, the western hemisphere, and Aisia. For those who knew me back then as "RC" I can ONLY imagine how hard that is to actually visualize this person from that one, so let's just say I'm trying to make up for a "wasted youth!" :) :) I've been fortunate to work with Presidents, Secretaries, and Ministers of Countries, When people ask me where I am from, I am proud to say I grew up in Princeton Fl, to which most ask me.... "Where??" We come from a small place ...Expand for more
in such a huge city, and I am proud to have gone to school with many of you.
As I've moved on and through life's progression, I've come to experience great things, seen horrible things, and have shared humble moments with people who have nothing. I attribute my ability based on those experiences I gained during what most would attribute to the "wasteful youth years" when I inadvertantly lost myself to something i really wasn't, which was seen as a lost cause. However, in truth, it was the base foundation which allowed me to be humble, and as street wise as necesary in the world's worst places. I've been fortunate that I was able to find myself through hard work, self discipline, esprit de corps, and great parents and friends when I was young. Those childhood and adult friends, who either stood by me in my troubled years, or those who tried to keep me from them. I am a fortunate soul who has by the grace of God, been able to come from behind in the race of life.
I still remember all of my childhood friends, some of which I owe a debt of gratitude (or apologies :) ) for being my friend, and sharing their homes and families with me. I also consider myself lucky for being able to move forward, mature, and give back so much to my familiy, friends, and of course my country.
I've lived around the world and am looking forward to coming home and perhaps catching up with some old acquaintence from my childhood days when we were so young, so inocent, and looking forward to life. I hope all of you who read this look back and think of me in good memories.
Rick
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