Before OJC...
Some called Panama a US colony. One could literally step across the 4th of July Avenue and be transformed from a world of poverty to one of manicured lawns. The Panamanian people are friendly, hard working folks who value family and enjoy their free time. Unfortunately they lived in a country of "have's" and "have not's".
In country is was not unusual to have US citizens, dependents living among the locals downtown and even to have them living on what would be future objectives.
Over the years troops from Ft Kobbe would spend endless days in the jungle training. Being along the equator it is hot and humid with both measurements running in the low-mid 90's. It wasn't so bad if you were at Kobbe as there was a breeze most of the time that kept it bearable. However, in the triple canopy jungle it was miserable. Within minutes of stepping into the dense overgrowth one was soaked with sweat meaning water was vital to keeping the body going. That same sweat would cause you to chill when you stopped for the night, often times requiring a ponch-liner or poncho. Then there were the mosquitoes!!! Sworn enemy of the infantry soldier, especially at night.
Back in garrison the first order of business was cleaning weapons, then gear, then your nasty body. Boots were given to the "boot black" which was a Panamanian who worked at the base of the building and their sole purpose was to clean, polish your boots and clean any other equipment you felt worth paying to have done. Many of these guys made good livings by local standards, still they worked hard. Each company had their own "boot black". Carlos, pictured below, was a favorite at Kobbe, he graced it's street for decades.
While Panama and Noriega were on the news so many stateside had no real idea of the things going on in this small central America country. The PDF (Panamanian Defense Forces) and US troops often went toe to toe in situations that could have easily blown into something bigger.
In country is was not unusual to have US citizens, dependents living among the locals downtown and even to have them living on what would be future objectives.
Over the years troops from Ft Kobbe would spend endless days in the jungle training. Being along the equator it is hot and humid with both measurements running in the low-mid 90's. It wasn't so bad if you were at Kobbe as there was a breeze most of the time that kept it bearable. However, in the triple canopy jungle it was miserable. Within minutes of stepping into the dense overgrowth one was soaked with sweat meaning water was vital to keeping the body going. That same sweat would cause you to chill when you stopped for the night, often times requiring a ponch-liner or poncho. Then there were the mosquitoes!!! Sworn enemy of the infantry soldier, especially at night.
Back in garrison the first order of business was cleaning weapons, then gear, then your nasty body. Boots were given to the "boot black" which was a Panamanian who worked at the base of the building and their sole purpose was to clean, polish your boots and clean any other equipment you felt worth paying to have done. Many of these guys made good livings by local standards, still they worked hard. Each company had their own "boot black". Carlos, pictured below, was a favorite at Kobbe, he graced it's street for decades.
While Panama and Noriega were on the news so many stateside had no real idea of the things going on in this small central America country. The PDF (Panamanian Defense Forces) and US troops often went toe to toe in situations that could have easily blown into something bigger.
