September 2001
Delighted to browse your excellent web site! I wrote the full-issue length history of the Panama Line's s.s. PANAMA, ANCON and CRISTOBAL which appeared in "Steamboat Bill" (journal of the Steamship Historical Society of America) in the summer 1991 issue. Was delighted to see your coverage and wonderful photos of these ships and a vanished way of life. Thanks to all you Zonians over the years for keeping OUR ditch in good repair and well defended.
While I am not a graduate of the Paraiso High School, I feel close to the class of 63 because if my family had remained on the canal zone this would have been my class. As I read your web site I became emotional knowing that my father was one of the "big ditch diggers". Every thing that we do to keep the canal zone memory alive is a shrine to the ditch diggers--this is a great idea--the web site. I appreciate being introduced to this site a few minutes ago.
I was stationed at Ft. Clayton in the mid 50s. with the 7461st. AU (SIG). Our barracks was across the road from what then was the Armed Forces Radio Station. I have been unable to find any information on my old unit nor any on my commanding officer, Col. Cooley. Do you by any chance know this period of time, the unit, etc.??? Thank you for your help. Ray
Estimado Seņor McLaughlin Lo felicito por su esfuerzo de mantener vivo el espiritu e historia de la Zona del Canal. Usted deja un legado muy interesante para todos los que vivieron en la Zona y para los panameņos. Siga adelante con esta iniciativa Atentamente Enrique
My wife and teens have given me permission to take a budget and rugged vacation to the Canal Zone all by myself. Whoopeee!!! If your interested in being part of the venture... It would be cool to hear from you. I plan to get out of Florida on the 1st of December. Maybe my brother Donnie can let us stay in his maids room... and all of us can share a rental and cruise all over the place in a two week span of zonie time. Yikes!!! lets do it. Even if everything is shut down we can still imagine eating Victors hamburgers,...to young... go club house or rudy's lemonades at the GYC. Anyway...Anyone interested please let me know. Dang... the whole class of 69 is welcomed to come along. Any takers please email me. Life is short... Live it well.
Rolie www.rolie.net rmans@crl.rr.com
I have a patch from a surf club in Panama. The patch is from 1966-67. How can I have you take a photo and put it on your site? Michael Young BHS 69
Great site!I lived on Coco Solo Naval Base from 1955-57.Attended Cristobal Jr High.I had a great time in the Scouts while in the Zone.Be glad to answer any questions about Coco Solo NAS.We had three seaplane squadrons in that time frame.Your picture brought back memories!Thank you- Charlie
Bill, Your Sept. 16th picture was a great comfort to me in our time of sadness. And honestly, your entire website has been a wonderful source of soothing comfort to me over the last 2-3 years. My Panama experience was a fun time in my life and I get reminded of it every single time I go to your website. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the time, effort, hard work and dedication that you've put in to it. Please keep up the good, great and most excellent work that you do for all us Zonians. Words cannot express the appreciation we have for you. God Bless You, Kathy (Pinkerton) Millette
Very good web, keep it up.
I always enjoy our network. The pictures bring back many memories. I always look forward to hearing about the Atlantic Side as that is where I was until we left in December of 61. My dad was a CZP and was medically retired due to injuries. I would have graduated in 64 from Coco Solo. Fond Fond memories. It was a life only we Zonians can relate to. I have not been back but would like to but will have to wait. Thanks for the memories and all the hard work you put into this site. Sorry I didn't make the reunion but plan to next year.
Dennis Tully aka Dennis the Menace
Bill: My sister Debbie Hidalgo sent me the information on your website. Congratulations and much respect for taking the time and having the discipline for creating such an extensive website. I was born in Gorgas Hospital in October 1970 and I come from a family that worked in the CZ from 1906 to 19990 when my father retired from the Department of Defenses Geodedic Survey and Defense Mapping Agency. It was an incredible life for all of us. From my Grandfather - John Hidalgo who was a "Ship's Master" to my Grandmother Josefita Hidalgo Cisnerors who was a member of the Canal Zone Society for over 50 years, we leave a long lineage of dedication to a history and a family that will last for every. You can take the Zonian out of the Panama Canal Zone but you will never take the Canal Zone out of the Zonian! Please contact me when you can so that we can discuss all the documents I inherited from my Father and my Father's Father. Best wishes and keep up the good work! Robert D. Hidalgo - Curundu and Fort Clayton CZ.
I am looking for information on a Frank Holmes MDd. A doctor during the construction of the canal. He might have been called "the doctor on donkey back."
I have a sister living in Panama and I really enjoyed your photo's. I've never had the pleasure of visiting your country but maybe I will in the near future.