July 2004
I cannot tell you how much I have enjoyed perusing your website. I was stationed at Fort Gulick from July 1968 to August 1969, A-22, Co.B, 8th Special Forces Group (Abn), 1st Special Forces. As you may (or may not) know, A-22 staged the assassination of Che Guevara in Bolivia. In other words, we all worked for the CIA and were cadre for La Escuela de las Americas (I hope I am spelling this right...it's been a long time). I am a writer and am currently writing a novel based on my actual experiences in Special Forces. I need good maps and photos of Colon (late 1960's), Fort San Lorenzo area, Fort Gulick, Fort Randolph and the Coco Solo area (where I lived). Can you help me out here? Living in the CZ and running operations in Central America rates among the best and most poignant times of my life. The CZ was just so beautiful. I can't help wishing it was all still US territory. By the way, your photo gallery and links is superb. Sincerely Richard Rossiter If you have time take a look at my website: boulderclimbs.com/photo gallery/special forces
I don't remember much in detail about living in the Canal Zone, only that it was a great slice of my life. My dad was stationed there from the time I was five until I was ten, so about 1969 to about 1974. I remember walking to school, we had horses at Ft. Clayton, we fished off of Taboga, and I had a friend named Jane or Janet Lang. I lived in one of the old French-built houses--there were three of them in a row. They were built up on concrete stilts and the stilts had those sheet metal aprons to keep the rodents from crawling up (I still have a scar from being cut on one). Wow...the memories that came flooding back while looking through this website. Thanks!
Felices tiempos que vienen a mi memoria como aquellas tardes de noviembre en la piscina de Albrook o esos paseos paradisiacos en Taboga. Las callesitas paradisiacos de toda CZ o aquel limpia-autos que solía estar los sábados en las puertas de la lavandería en Albrook que era capaz de lavar el carro con un solo cubo de agua. Todo un abanico de colores tropicales que impregnaron mis sentidos cunado visité Panamá y aún hoy viven en mi mente.
BILL, ANOTHER GREAT PICTURE. I ACTUALLY GREW UPIN PEDRO MIGUEL--MAJOR METROPOLIS OF THE PANAMA CANAL ZONE--AN IN BETWEEN NEIGHBOR OF PARAISO AND RED TANK. MOVED FROM BALBOA INTO THE 3RD GRADE. ABOUT 1934. WONDERFUL "CITY" TO LIVE IN AND GROW UP. IF YOU EVER COME ACROSS ANY PICS OF "PETER MIKE" WOULD ENJOY VIEWING THEM AS WELL. THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR SHARING AND CAREING--SEE YOU IN ORLANDO IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS. BILL
Dear Mr.McLaughlin: I think that this wed-site is the GREATEST!! I lived in Cocoli, Pedro Miguel, Balboa, and Colo Solo, from 1941 to 1957 and looking at all you offer on this site, it is a great trip back to those places. Please keep up the good work--I am sure there are many more CZBrats out there that also enjoy your hard work. I would like to make a $$donation$$ to help you continue this project. Please let me know what I can do. Sincerely, Ann Field Kirrane, BHS and CHS
Thank you very much for this web site. I served in Panama from May 1954 to September 1956. I was in Co. G 33rd Inf Reg and Co. E 20th Inf Reg at Fort Kobbe Canal Zone. Of course I spent time at Fort Clayton, Fort Davis and Fort Sherman. Camp Pina was our Jungle Expert Training Center. Has the Jungle taken over these Post since the USA pulled out? Thanks Again! Robert L. Sykes CW3 US Army Retired
An excellent site, and unforgettable era. I'm from Panamá ( Colòn ) and as you said, this was an era, both, for the USA people living and working at Canal Zone, and for us. How can I contact you to send "now" pictures from former CZone sites?
I was stationed there from 1973-1975, A co 4/20th Ft. Clayton
Have fun. I did living in the Canal Zone 40s and 50s Jerry McGaughey
Un saludo a nuestros amigos los Panameños. Es una pasada ver como cruzan el Canal los Buques, etc., y tener la oportunidad de verlo en directo por internet. Lo dicho. Saludos.
I was thoroughly impressed with this site. It brought back so many fond memories of my time in the Canal Zone. I was born in Colon. My father was from Ohio. He worked for the Panama Canal Co. Industrial Division at Mt. Hope. It was nice to see the aerial photo of Coco Solo from 1965. I lived there from 1960-1962. It was such a nice place to live. I later moved to Margarita which was also just as nice. I moved up to Ohio in June 1966.
Thank you so much for your website, It was very refreshing to look back to the past. Brought back great memories and new info. to the history of Panama that I was not aware of. Thank You! Vannia