March 2003
My father was stationed in Panama during the first part of the World War II. In fact he was there before we entered the war. He was in the 2nd Field Artillery Battalion. Also known as the "Second First". He was a mule packer. My mother has a lot of old photographs taken in Panama. She has promised these pictures to me. I didn"t know too much about my father while I was growing up. "That's another Story". We became friends as adults. He spoke a little about Panama, but was generally very tight-lipped about most of his military career. He entered the military in March 1941 and was honorably discharged in August 1946. I have been recently researching for information on the internet. (Your sight has been very informative, but was hard to find.) My father passed away in 1986. I would appreciate any help any of your readers could give me on where the Second First went to from Panama. I know some went to the European Campaign. I have reason to believe my father was part of covert operations in Cuba. Thanks for your help...
Hi to all my friends from high school. I hope you all doing good. Sunshine State
MY FATHER WAS STATIONED @ HOWARD AFB FROM '76 TO '82. WE LIVED ON ALBROOK AFB. I WAS TWELVE OR THIRTEEN WHEN WE LEFT. I HAD THREE FRIENDS THERE; WHOM WHICH I CANNOT FIND "HANK BOWLING, BENITO GUZMAN AND LUCHO SANDY. IF ANYONE KNOWS OF MY FREINDS OR MYSELF, FEEL FREE TO CONTACT. MY FATHERS NAME IS JAMES E. CAIN AND MOTHER, PAULETTE CAIN/JONES, BUT NOW MIDDLETON.
I was the project Manager on the new construction. We took up all the old Rail and laid the concrete ties. I took pictures off the take up from one end to the other. Are you Interested in any of these Pictures.
I lived at Ft Gulick (and for a year in Colon on 7th street) while I was stationed with the School of the Americas from Feb 1974 to May 1979. Did a lot of scuba diving with biologists at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute's Galeta Island lab. Started collecting butterflies, moths, and insects there, and have thousands of specimens. Returned for 2 week visits in 1981, 1986, 1991, 2001, 2002 and will be there in Apr/May 2003. I have many photos, and some movies and videos, from Panama. Took some shots of the old Gulick Hospital/School of the Americas, and the officers barracks across the street, that were all shot up by US helicopter gunships during JUST CAUSE.
I had a great uncle who worked on the building of the Canal. His name was Roland Wilson. I wish to learn more about his job responsibilities. Also, I have a deck of playing cards with photos of the Canal under construction and other sites in Panama at that time. The case these cards came in is dated 1910 and the maker was The U.S. Playing Card Co. Cincinnati. Roland Wilson had sent the cards to his sister. I would be interested to know their value.
Born at Gorgas Army Hospital, Fort Clayton, Aug 11 1964. Lived two years at Fort Clayton/Balboa area until family pcs'd to Fort Bragg. Father (Jere Hodges Sr.) was Supply SGT for one of the Army units at Fort Clayton. Just looking around - didn't know this site/interest even existed..
I am writing an article about the Spanish laborers in the Panama Canal construction (1904-1914). I need help to find the documentation about this topic of investigation photos, contracts, maps, historical documents about employees, etc.). Do you help me? Thanks a lot. Carolina G. Borrazás
What wonderful pictures. I especially like the past two weeks. Thanks. Can hardly wait for the ones from your Panama visit.
Wonderful site. Love the pictures of the week.
Great site. I served with the Army in Panama during the following periods: Mar-64 to May 66 & June 73 to Sep 76...I miss the great life, warm weather and Rio Mar and the waves. I would like to make contact with members of the Fears family. We were friends and shared many happy days together.
Your web site is very interesting, but I am quite a bit older that most. I went through the canal in 1940while on the USS Trenton. I spent from '53 to '56 at Ft Davis in the 764th AA Bn. My family lived in Ft Gulick in there 2 family concrete apts. My brother Wallace served in the Army in '42 to '45 at FT Amador and Ft Kobi in their hospitals. I am looking forward to the rest of the site photos and such.
Wow! What a fantastic website! I came to the canal zone in 1963, I was 4 years old! We lived in Cristobal, above the ITT office where my father worked. It was right near the police station. I remember the riots in Colon, and how frightened we were. In 1964, we moved to Margarita, into a neighborhood called "Brazos Heights". I went to the elementary school in Margarita during the day, and played in the jungle in the afternoon. Behind our house, there was a big ravine, at the bottom, there was an entrance to a U.S. military facility. I remember swimming every weekend at Gatun Lake, there was a funky little club house where the parents hung out while us kids went swimming and canoeing. I remember walking through the jungles and always finding some kind of machinery, no matter where you went! My family moved away in august of 1969. I'm looking for long lost friends; Surse Taylor Pierpoint, Alex Rodriguez, and Noreen Will. I would love to hear from ANYBODY who lived in Margarita and or Brazos Heights! Keep up the good work! viva e-bay!
My dad was pastor of Margarita Union Church from 1973 to 1976. Those years living in the Canal Zone were by far the best years of my life. Please put more "Atlantic Side" photos on this web site...the memories are great!