Zapustil nas je dragi prijatelj Arnold Jerome (Arnie) Koci. Spoznali smo ga na Slowindovih gostovanjih po Združenih državah Amerike. V prijetnem mestecu Laguna Niguel v Kaliforniji je s soprogo Jean Koci kar dvakrat gostil ansambel Slowind. Jean, hči slovenskih in Arnie, sin čeških izseljencev, sta nam na gostovanjih pripravila prisrčno dobrodošlico in priredila več izjemnih koncertov v Cerkvi sv. Timoteja v Laguni Niguel in na Univerzi SOKA v kalifornijskem mestu Aliso Viejo. Ob skrbni organizaciji koncertov sta nam v družbi njunih otrok: Timom, Janet, Kenom in Carol namenila ogromno časa in pozornosti. Skupaj smo spoznavali dele Kalifornije, kot so Gettyjev muzej v Los Angelesu, mesto San Diego, vinogradi v Temeculi in Slovenski dom v Montani. Prav z Jean in Arniejem smo imeli priložnost spoznati življenje slovenskih izseljencev in njihovih potomcev v Združenih državah Amerike, kar je na nas pustilo neibrisen pečat. Pokazali so nam, kako močno se ti zavedajo lastnih korenin, kakšno globoko ljubezen gojijo do matičnega naroda in kaj vse so za svoje rojake pripravljeni storiti. Na takšen način sta Arnie in Jean postala naša draga prijatelja, ki se ju bomo vedno hvaležno spominjali.
Počivaj v miru, dragi Arnie.
Aleš, Matej, Jurij, Metod in Paolo
Our dear friend Arnold Jerome (Arnie) Koci has departed. We met him for the first time on our Slowind tour of the United States. He and his wife Jean Koci hosted our ensemble twice in beautiful Laguna Niguel, California.
Jean, as the daughter of Slovenian immigrants, and Arnie, as the son of Czech immigrants, always made us feel very welcome and put on several excellent concerts at St Timothy’s Church in Laguna Niguel and at SOKA University in Aliso Viejo, California. Not only were they brilliant organizers, taking care of our every need, but they, along with their children Tim, Janet, Ken, and Carol, were extremely generous with their time throughout our stay. They showed us different parts of California such as the Getty Museum in Los Angeles, the city of San Diego, the vineyards in Temecula, and the Slovenian house in Montana. With Jean and Arnie, we had the opportunity to learn about the lives of Slovenian emigrants and their descendants in the United States.
They took us to see different parts of California such as the Getty Museum in Los Angeles, the city of San Diego, the vineyards in Temecula, and the Slovenian Home in Montana. It was with Jean and Arnie that we had the opportunity to learn about the life of Slovenian emigrants and their descendants in the United States, which left a great impression on us. Then, we realized how aware these wonderful people are of their roots, how deeply they love their native country, and what they are willing to do for their people. In this way, Arnie, together with Jean, became one of our best friends, whom we will always remember with gratitude.
Rest in peace, dear Arnie.
Aleš, Matej, Jurij, Metod and Paolo.
