Pedro Pan Administrator
General Information
Current Name
Pedro Pan Administrator
Current Location
United States of America
Name on Arrival
Pedro Pan Administrator
Age on Arrival
Information not provided
Date of Arrival
Friday, January 1, 1960
Groups
Haiti Pedro Pan
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Pedro's Story
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Although I enjoyed the documentary, I was surprised to see how it was made to look like OPP was a US government covert operation, and as thankful as I am to the United States, I always understood OPP to be a half and half operation; one half was accomplished here, the other half in Cuba. While I agreed with Carlos Eire about not going back, I also think that the embargo has never hurt anyone but the population. The dollars just took a long way around through another country to get there. I think if relations normalized, in time, when the people's lives start to normalize, the regime would fall. It would be, if nothing else, old and outdated and it would crumble from within; maybe a coup to begin with and then the people would take over and turn it into a republic the way it should have always been.
Message by
Maria Petronila Hernandez Mills
| May 30th 2010
I watched last night. I was overwhelmed with what I had seen. I am the daughter of a Pedro Pan.(montecumbe) My father Carlos Iglesias Bernal left Cuba Oct.62 He told us only little of what had happened as a child. My sister and I had seen the documentary and understand why he kept it from us. My grandparents did everything they could to protect my father and my uncle. I was honored to meet my grandmother a few years back. Unfortunately my grandfather passed when I was 8. My father was not able to see him ever again, after he said goodbye to him at the airport. My father is now part of Alpha 66. I want the world to know I am proud to be the daughter of a Pedro Pan.
Message by Jane Iglesias Rodriguez | May 28th 2010
This a copy of the message I just sent to CNBC. A response to the Special “Escape from Havana” on CNBC – May 27, 2010 I must confess that I finished watching your special with mixed feelings. I'm a 74 years old Cuban with many close Peter Pan friends. I was glad to see that finally this long forgotten and ignored American and Cuban Saga was finally given its well deserved attention but a combination of factors left me confused, upset and disappointed: 1. The inevitable "MTV Syndrome" used today in Television montage and editing which is pathetic! (The younger generation in TV editing are clueless as to the normal function of the Human mind and attention span. A total waste of resources!!!); 2. A better chronological development of the topic; There was nothing secret at the time when the Airlift occurred!!! 3. More emphasis on the incredible function of the Catholic Church and Msgr. Walsh in the entire operation; 4. Some statistics as to the actual result of the operation, Successes and failures, number of professionals, thousands of incredible stories, not 4 or five. 5. Where are they now? , Etc. 6. Why did you not asked Andy Garcia or another Cuban Professional to produce this project? There is a lack of empathy and understanding of the entire episode, its roots, development and consequences. 6. Why Now? - Is there, a hidden economic and political agenda on doing this Special now for political gains? I could go on and on... and I'm almost tempted to say thanks, but no thanks. Cordially. Valdivieso
Message by Luis Valdivieso | May 28th 2010
I did watch escape from Havana and it stirred up so many memories I thought I had forgotten all about. Born in May 1948, I left at 13 in January 27 (or 28) 1962 and came under the notion I was to go back soon to be reunited with my family, in my case with my mother and grandparents since I am orphaned of my father. To my good fortune it is very evident now, I was picked up at the airport by my then recently arrived aunt and with her I lived many years. Others were not as fortunate as I was. We expected Fidel to fail and fall, and evidently he has done the former but his regime is still in power. Cuba has never been under a blockade but an embargo, meaning that the Castros have been able to do bussiness throughout the entire world and cubans are eating dirt due to the utter failure of such a mindless,crooked and murderous regime.There is no one else to blame but the tyrants themselves. I was particularly impressed and delighted by Prof. Carlos Eire, whom I tried to e-mail last night at his address at Yale U. but was unsuccessful at that. His testimony was powerful, and his stance solid on why he does not return to visit the island under the current conditions. He never ever had a chance to see his father again. Prof. Eire stands on principle and this dear reader, is a very strange and rare occurrence in this day and age of compromise and fluid morality. I will watch it again this Sunday the 30th and this time my wife will be able to see in in its totality. I was also glad I got to see Carmen in the film, wife to my best friend "Guille" (Guillermo). This special group of 14,000 children, despite the odds, by the grace of Almighty God has overall has survived, thrived and excelled in all the different things in which they have been involved. So who says that adversity does not help elevate the human condition closer to the peak of its capacities and God-given talents?
Message by Jose Manuel | May 28th 2010
We all have different experiences, but the one in common is we came here alone and the oldest child turned into a parent over night. I never questioned my Mom on her choice of sending us here alone my sister did and her answer was the same one as Carlo's father. It was hard for us as children and hard for them as parents. Living a long life is not a right but a gift from God, so I pray he would grant me the gift of one day being able to take my children and grandchildren to a FREE.....CUBITA LA BELLA ..!!
Message by Marta Amalia Villa | May 28th 2010
I agree with Carlos Eire and Tomas Regalado.
Message by Anonymous | May 28th 2010
DID YOU WATCH CNBC'S ESCAPE FROM HAVANA? NOW TELL US WHOSE POINT OF VIEW YOU AGREED WITH OF THOSE PEDRO PANS INTERVIEWED AND WHOSE POINT OF VIEW YOU DID NOT AGREE WITH?
Message by
Pedro Pan Administrator
| May 28th 2010
Pedro says: Check out the new Mariel database!
Status update | May 21st 2010
After a short stay in Matecumbe, on April 18, 1962, I boarded a flight with my younger brother and older sister, along with other Cuban children . Our destinations were orphanages in St. Louis, Missouri; Denver, Colorado and Helena, Montana. As our plane banked at the Stapleton Airport in Denver, we thought the city had burned, as the trees had no leaves and the snow on the ground was grey and appeared to be ashes. My brother, Jose and I stayed at the St. Vincent’s Home For Boys, and our sister, Consuelo, stayed at the Queen of Heaven Orphanage a mile away. Cuban boys at St. Vincent’s, who had sisters in Queen of Heaven, were allowed to walk over and visit them once a month, weather permitting. I graduated from the University of Colorado, received a medical degree from Michigan State University, and now practice medicine in southwest Florida. Juan R. Puerto, M.D.
Message by
Juan Puerto Lagarza
| May 16th 2010
Hello Pedro, I have written and recorded 2 songs that are very relevant to this period of time in Cuba. The most recent song that I have just completed is called "New Jersey Gained" which is the story of Barbara Rangel's mother who had to part with her two children in order to exile them to the U.S. and then to New Jersey. I would like to send the song to you but you don't have an email posted here. George, at therealcuba.com posts my music video "You don't know Che" which was also produced by Agustin Blazquez. He is using the song and video for his newest release; Che, the other side of an icon. Humberto Fontova has blogged about this song twice on babalu. This song is about the Hollywood celebraties that wear Che clothing and the like and idolize him. My video exposes them for who they are. I hope you will watch it. I would like to produce a similar video for "New Jersey Gained" but I am in need of pictures, footage, or whatever I can get my hands on. Agustin would likely help me with the video production. If you could possibly contact, via email, the children of Pedro Pan, then maybe I could get some photos from them. I hope to hear from you! Sincerely, Steve Pichan - Composer / singer / songwriter
Message by Steve Pichan | May 15th 2010
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