June 2003
Love the pictures and comments. Served on Ft Clayton in the 534th MP Co from 1955-1957. Married a Zonian (Margie Zent). I'd like to hear from anyone who served in the 534th.
Aloha Bill: I think the Web Site is great and do enjoy going to it. Have made it a habit to see what your picture of the week is and alway enjoy it, especially, the detailed comments about the history of your great post cards.
The GOBs train, I believe must have been a special transfer trip or outing for the US Naval personnel on the Isthmus at the time this picture was taken. GOBs was, and still is, always used as meaning Sailors, or Navy personnel. Look at all those long-sleeved arms hanging out the windows of the cars, and white uniformed personnel at the stairs on the train. This is only a guess as to the attire as the picture isn't that clear, but why guards stationed at each of the stairs on the train. However, to debase this theory, all the men in the Canal Zone -- excepting the train crew -- usually wore long-sleeved white shirts as a means to keep them cooler, There was no airconditioning on these trains early on.
DEAR FRIENDS, MY MOTHER, VERA PERRY, PASSED AWAY ON SATURDAY, MAY 31,2003.MANY OF YOU MAY REMEMBER HER FROM BHS-1958-1982, AS A LONG TIME TEACHER OF U.S. HISTORY AND LATIN. SHE ALSO TAUGHT AT CHS FROM 1948-1950.HER PASSING WAS QUITE SUDDEN DUE TO COMPLICATIONS FROM PNEUMONIA. A MEMORIAL SERVICE WILL BE HELD IN EVANSVILLE ,IN ON SATURDAY, JUNE 14 AT THE BOONE FUNERAL HOME,5330 WASHINGTON AVE., EVANSVILLE, IN 47715.IN LIEU OF FLOWERS THE FAMILY SUGGESTS A CONTRIBUTION TO: GARDEN MEMORIAL PROGRAM HARRY P. LEU GARDENS 1920 N. FOREST AVE. ORLANDO, FL 33803 I WANT TO SINCERELY THANK ALL OF THE WONDERFUL CONCERN, PRAYERS AND SUPPORT I HAVE RECEIVED OVER THE PASS MONTH. ZONIANS ARE INDEED THE FINEST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD... WITHOUT A DOUBT. THE OUTPOURING OF LOVE HAS HELPED ME THROUGH THE MOST DIFFICULT TIME OF MY LIFE. GOD BLESS YOU.
What a beautiful web site. Thank you for all the hard work in preserving our wonderful heritage and memories!
I lived in Cardenas Village from '76 to '82. My father worked for the FAA. I had retuned to Panama in '92 and '93 and stayed with the Fox family, next door to my old home on Wright street. My father lives in Boquete' as a Pesionado. Tomorrow, My wife and I are going back to Panama, she's never been there. The rest of my family is going down too. The web site has been useful because I've been able to show my wife, who's never been there, what it looked like in the old CZ days. The one "Photo of the Week" has a photo of the "Modern" bus stop in Cardenas. My house is clearly visible in the photo. Again, great website! Like to hear from other Zonians who lived in Cardenas. Bob Ave
Howdy Bill!
Am checking out your site to look for some info on the military bases, in particular Howard AFB.... Enjoyed looking at the old photos and will come back later when I have more time to browse. Great site.
This site makes the phrase "Gone but not Forgotten" a reality. Thanks Bill ! I spent 9 wonderful years in the C.Z. thanks to Uncle Sam (Army) Lived in Panama, Ft Amador, Ft. Clayton and the big town of Cocoli from 1970 to 1976 and 1980 to 1983. The country, the life style, bottle digging, surfing and fishing, but most of all, the people were incredible. I am proud to have been called by some an "Honorary Zonian"; my Son is lucky he was born there. My time there will always be some of the best days I will have on God's earth.
I spent almost 3 years (1979-1982) in the former zone assigned to the 193rd Military Intelligence Company on Fort Clayton. I've been looking for a place like it to live in since. Panama gets a hold on your soul and doesn't let you forget her. Your site brought back some great memories and renewed my desire to visit again. Thanks for all your hard work, it has made me smile.
Reminiscing about the days I spent as a sailor and broadcaster at the old CFN (Armed Forces Radio & TV) station at Ft. Clayton....
I have not visited this site for some time. I really enjoy all you photos of the Panama Canal Zone. It brings back a lot of memories. I have a new email address. I would like to here from old friends from days gone bye. Bill
Just awesome. What a great collection of pictures Thank you for taking the time to do this. Jeannie Corrigan
Does anyone know the whereabouts of Veda (Anderson) Church, or Billie Ostroski? They lived on Fort Clayton in the early 1980's. . . many a trip to the beach we took. To my live-in maid, Marci Cover, email me!
Bien hecho! I have nothing but pleasant memories of my time in the Zone (Clayton) and BJHS51-53.Wanted to stay but the Army needed my Dad in Texas. You can see from my winter address that I still prefer the climate at about 9 degrees north. Only the beer and mangoes are better here. I miss Boquete, El Volcan and Pananma City. Guess Carter'El Manisero" never came to the Zone or he'd never have tossed it away as he did. Keep up the good work.
I wrote you a note last week, but it must not have taken. I believe this building you are wondering about is the old "St. Francis Studio (Convent) which eventually became St. Mary's School. It was located a little ways up from the YMCA on Balboa Road and just beyond it was the Masonic Temple. You can see Plank Street in the background -- this was a lovely old street with wooden cottages. Of interest, you can see the Trolley Tracks and overhead lines in front of the building (trolley ran from LaBoca to the outskirts of Panama City then -- Sabanas & Bella Vista -- as very few people owned automobiles. They used the trolley or a jitney.