I came to the Oakland Coliseum in a hard hat in 1966 and we were all raised there. My aunt and uncle used program stands laid down as playpens for some of my smaller cousins and siblings. My mom and cousins all worked there and I still have my first pay stub dated 1976, as I was a runner for souvenirs.

We would go to Santa Rosa and work the Oakland Raiders' Family Days. As a kid, those were so awesome experiences. I had a jersey every year until they left with the team. I would talk to Kenny Stabler while he slipped out to his Corvette, which he parked in the exhibit hall.

Mr. Davis treated his people as family and my aunt and uncle received Christmas gifts every year. Even after Mr. Davis moved the team to Los Angeles, he asked my aunt and uncle to relocate as well but our roots are here in the Bay Area.

When the Raiders went to Super Bowl in New Orleans, Mr. Davis flew my aunt and uncle with the team, providing everything. I was in high school and I was so upset as my aunt said I couldn't go. She came back with so many stories -- imagine a little old Portuguese lady, standing 4'9" -- sitting next to Tooz (John Matuszak) on the air plane!

In 1989 the Raiders were based in Los Angeles and came up north to play a game in the Coliseum. I went to that game and I was almost full term with my daughter but there was no way was I missing it! My mother went and just kept saying to me, "You cannot have this baby here!"

And now my daughter, Christina, can be seen working the sidelines at all Raiders games, as part of security for the Raiderettes.

I continued working in the merchandise department until 1992, at which time I left to have my son. I returned in 1998 as security for the Raiders, as I could not stay away.

I am now the No. 1 supervisor and have been running South Lot for opposing players for the last 13 years. I love it and I've met so many interesting people and have made friends into family, with too many to name them all.

We are the Nation. Violator, Raider Ritza, Raider fan Jones, Kirk Bronsord, Phillip Smith, Jr., Gloria Trujillo, Shea Ohlott; you guys are awesome! RIP to Ron Rickard and Oaktown Pirate. You are truly missed.