PAX Centurion - January / February 2013

Page 28 • PAX CENTURION • January/February 2013 617-989-BPPA (2772) Class 18-86 celebrates 25 (+) years! M embers of Class 18-86, the largest EVER in Boston Police history gathered at Venezia’s overlooking Boston Harbor, to celebrate their 25th Reunion. Better late than never, the group enjoyed cocktails, and a fine meal while recounting the paths their lives and careers have taken. Also, the hair loss, the weight gain, the marriages, divorces, and kids! The class laughed over academy tales, and entertained each other with war stories. While a continu- ing loop of their graduation video featuring younger versions of themselves aired on the big screen, these cops all at, near or past 50 laughed at the dark hair, and short shorts while fondly remembering their training so long ago. Because our class was so big, and the staff was greatly outnumbered, we were split up. PlatoonA went through theAcademy like all previous recruits; Level 1, Level 2, then Practi- cal (defensive driving, pistol range,etc). Platoon B joinedA for Level 1, then they took the Practical, then returned toWilliams Ave for Level 2. C Platoon went through backwards, and I guess that explains a lot! We (for yes, I was a C) went and did all the fun stuff first, after which the Instructors got us and immedi- ately kicked our salty asses, readying us for Level 1, and Level 2. Our first big assignment was the 1987 Boston Marathon. I’ll never forget, getting our badges and guns on the bus. All of us would rather have died than not given back all 6 bullets issued to us that day by Sgt. Harry Prefontaine for our Ruger revolvers. The graduation was held at the Strand Theater in Dorchester. Surrounded by family, friends and dignitaries, we marched in, and were sworn in as the newest officers in the Boston Police Depart- ment. We shook hands with Commissioner Mickey Roache, and Mayor Ray Flynn (yes we had other ones besides Mayor Menino) and had our badges formally pinned on. We were ready to change the world. When we entered theAcademy, who could have guessed who, from our ranks, would become Detectives, Sergeants, Lieutenants, Captains, even members of the Command Staff, or stay on patrol? Well we have covered all those positions, from 1986 to the present, with pride, dedication, and honor, through tears and laughs, fear and bravery, and we’ll continue to do so because of the training and tradi- tion we represent as Boston’s Finest! Well done Class 18-86, and I’ll see you all at our 30th... – P.O. Jay Moccia