December 2003
Great Memories! I served in the CZ at Fort Kobbe from 12/60 to 9/62. At that time I was in 'E' Company,1st Battle Group of the 20th Inf Div. I remember pulling guard duty at a place called Battery Murray on the Pacific side. The guns were long gone but the concrete structures were still in place. As a 19 year old, I often wondered what went on during WW2 at Fort Kobbe. The Life Magazine article has answered a great many questions for me. Thanks.
This web page is dangerous. I just spent TOO many hours re-living my military time at Fort Kobbe during 1960-62. One of these days I'll get back to what was Fort Kobbe. I have some photos taken at Fort Kobbe during my time there. I would be happy to duplicate same and sent them. Let me know???
I hope before I die, I can stand at the canal and see the miracle with my own eyes.
What nice memories your site brings. Being a young U.S. Army soldier stationed at Fort Kobbe in 1954 - 1958, I had the pleasure of riding the old Thatcher Ferry many times. I drove a black Volkswagen and I used to count the cars that could fit on the ferry. There always was room for me. Many times my little bug would be called to go to the head of the line, I always could be squeezed on. I eventually married a Costa Rican Girl in 1958 at the Chapel at Kobbe. On the hill, overlooking the Howard Field hangars and the Kobbe parade grounds. No air-conditioning then. Hot nights. Beautiful sunsets. I miss it. My next visit was with my wife and 2 sons by now. 1974 - 1978. Drove the Pan American Highway, 4000 miles. Many changes, the bridge, more traffic. I miss it. Thanks, Jesse CW4 U.S. Army Retired PS. How can I get a picture of the old Ferry house like it was?
Your site is great. I loved reminiscing through the CZ photos. Do you have anymore info on the Cardenas Bus Stop? In other words, can you be more specific on the year it was taken? I sat at one of those bus stops many mornings in 1967-69 and again in 1972-1974. I'm sure it was the exact one in the photo. Thanks for the memories. Also, what I was looking for was a photo of a banyan tree that I remember from Summit Gardens. If you run across one of those, please share. Thanks. W.
Just found this website, it's awesome I think I was quite exposed to the Canal Zone while a kid; Bingo and Sunday Brunch @ Amador Officer's Club, The beach clubs at the causeway and Kobbe, Halloween in Gamboa... wonderful memories, plus the fact that my grandma and father did study in the zone.. Even if I would consider myself very nationalistic, when I see how the canal area is looking, I sure have some strange feeling. Keep the good work, Cheers,
I was stationed in Panama at Fort Davis in 1972-73. I made some very good friends with whom I am still in contact with on a regular basis. Clifford Welch pastored the Baptist Church in Margaritaville and he and his family are in Indiana. A girl in our office is from Panama and we have enjoyed sharing tales of Panama. It was truly a very beautiful place and I am so glad I spent time in the interior getting to know some of the people.
Just finished a wonderful Christmas here in NJ. My son heard me talking about the Life Magazine article, "Panama Defense". Some how, some where, he was able to get the original Life Magazine with the story from 1941 and gave it to me as a Xmas present. The gun on the front page looks like it was at Battery Murray at Fort Kobbe, before the position was encased. There were several similar guns, (Battery Potter), at Fort Hancock on Sandy Hook in NJ. There's a small museum at the site.