Last week, New York retirees Jules Kate and Michal Aronson excitedly boarded a plane and headed south to experience the music, culture and fun of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival for the first time.
For them, attending the festival was a big check off their bucket list. Plans to visit New Orleans fell through in 2019, and the following year's Jazz Fest experience was further delayed by the coronavirus pandemic.
The festival's first five-day weekend was, for the most part, everything they had hoped for. The weather was beautiful and there were many talented musicians performing.
But much of their fun was interrupted Sunday afternoon when Mr. Keitt, 70, returned to his hotel room and discovered that the ring that marked his decades of service with the New York City Fire Department was missing. Ta.
This ring represents more than just a professional accomplishment for Kate. This was a special gift given to him by his fellow FDNY members, many of whom lost their lives in the collapse of the World Trade Center on 9/11.
And for Kate, losing the ring brought back all the pain she felt when her fellow firefighter was killed nearly 13 years ago.
The story behind the ring
Keitt said he first joined the New York City Fire Department in 1979 and worked at FDNY Engine 22/Ladder 13 for 13 years before being promoted to fire marshal.
But the promotion meant missing out on the chance to receive a special ring given to those who have worked in the fire department for 20 years.
Knowing how upset Keet was that he did not receive his ring, the group banded together to buy Keet his own memorial ring.
The silver ring features a fire department badge, a hook and ladder on one side, and a fire hydrant on the other.
Keith said his colleague and best friend who planned the gift has since died of ALS. And in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, five other people who took part in it died.
“Everything I've worked for…the guys I've worked for, they're behind that ring,” Keitt said.
After losing it, Keet says, “I feel like a part of me has left my body.”
“I'd be lost without that ring.”
Where is it?
The last place Keitt and Aronson remember having a ring was near the festival main stage at the fairgrounds.
Ms. Aronson and her husband spent much of Sunday sitting by a mural hung on the metal gate lining the GA+ tent, listening to music from the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and Anderson Paak & the Free Nationals. He said he spent his time watching.
The last thing she remembers is him taking it off to apply sunscreen and putting it on her bag.
Aronson asked Jazz Fest attendees on Facebook if they had found it.
Many people spoke kind words and promised to look for themselves, but the ring has not yet appeared. They also contacted Lost and Found at Jazz Fest, but did not receive a response.
Still, Keitt and Aronson are hopeful that Ring could make an appearance, especially as the festival resumes this weekend.
If you think you have found a ring, please contact Lost and Found at Jazz Fest and stop by the tent.