June 2001
Loved your website. As a military dependent "Army Brat" I lived in the Zone from 1961 to 1964 (Balboa High School Class of 1966). Your photos brought back many fond memories of my days in the CZ. My Dad's tour in 1961-64 was actually my parent's second tour. They met in 1939 in Balboa, and were married at St. Luke's Cathedral, Ancon, on May 13, 1939. Dad was a 2nd Lt. in the 11th Engineers at Corozal, and Mom was a student at the Canal Zone Junior College (she had graduated from Balboa HS in 1938). Her dad was a Lt. Colonel assigned to Corozal. In 1961-1964, Dad was now a Colonel, and was assigned as the Senior Engineer, US Army Southern Command. We lived at 78 Muir Road, Fort Clayton then. Your website brought back many fond memories. I still have my ARC "S" Swimming Badge from back then, and your display of badges really made it seem like the good old days. Thanks for a great trip down memory lane. You might want to consider adding some photos about the 1964 riots... Life magazine had a great photo spread then, and you can even see me in the November 1964 issue of Newsweek...I am the ROTC cadet raising the Panama flag at the new "dual flagpoles" at Balboa High School, following the riots there.
I truly enjoyed visiting and remembering so many happy times of my live growing up in the Canal Zone. I was born in Gorgas Hospital, lived all my live in Paraiso and attended CZC 77-78. My parents Luis & Gloria Nieto, were married and lived back then in Madden Damn, moved to Red Tank, and later on to Paraiso. I will never find Paradise lost again but in my memories, pictures & friends I grew up with. Thank You for the trip down memory lane, I thank you for reuniting lost friendships. Damaris Langer, Zonian.
Terrific site! My son found it by accident. We lived on Morgan Avenue when I was stationed with U.S. Southern Command at Quarry Heights from '76 to '79. One of my sons went to Balboa School. Many fond memories were rekindled by your photos. Please keep this site alive!
Keith Underwood
Great Pictures , I only lived there for seven years but they were great years. My sister and brother were born at Gorgas Hospital, Great Memories. Sandra, Carlos, Danny Graves
I will always cherish Panama in my heart for as long as I live. Long Live PANAMA!!!
Good job! I think the Curundu Clubhouse burned in 1969 or '70.
Thank you for the wonderful "walk down memory lane", and all the happy thoughts. The pictures are wonderful, and remind me of how much I miss the CZ.
Your website is super! The Panamanian tourist bureau, (IPAT), should take lessons from you!!! Keep up the good work!
PS. Denise Winkler, my Diablo´s boatshed neighbor, told me about the site
nice memories come back thanks to you. Is there anyone who knows the whereabouts of Olga Kottmeyer, a durchlady married to an american called Smith, she worked in the zonian library and lived in veracruz. My letters to her came back.
Great job with this site!
I also go to live cams.com and can see the ships going through the locks, it makes me home sick even though I know there has been many changes. It's the memories that mean so much to me. Deanna (CHS Class of 1970)
Very cool, Lived in the Old Canal Zone as a child very briefly. Then Was sent down in 89, then back in from 93-96. Really miss the good ole days. almost makes me cry.
I am a next door neighbor to Georges Bouche, a 3rd generation Zonian. Georges grandfather helped build the canal and stayed there. George was born there and worked as an engineer and finally as an ombudsman. His wife, Jane, was a school teacher. They both retired to the States when the decision was made to turn the canal over to the Panamanians.
News flash.... I recently purchased a book which I recommend-ADVENTURES IN NATURE-PANAMA by William Friar.This is probably the most up to date and candid guide about Panama.I wish I had this terrific book when I last visited two years ago.Mr.Friar would obviously be a great speaker at a future reunion.Hasta luego.
Graduated '63 from CHS, left the Zone in '65. Still seeking friends from those days, and the site refreshes my memories although I have been back to Panama several times since I left. I was in Panama last year, for the first time in 15 yrs and was reminded of the Heat& Humidity, which I never noticed in my youth. Much cooler to look at Panama on the web. Nice !!!
This web site is terrific !!!! Really brings back a lot of memories.