the network for
Operation Pedro Pan

Carmen, I appreciate your comments on my story. Your own story, very well written, moved me deeply. The emotions your describe of “la despedida” were so recognizable... I read it as I was trying to cut my story down to a more manageable size, because, as you say, there is much to say and the forum is limited. I decided to include some of the backdrop for our exodus because I thought about how difficult it was for the younger kids to understand why their parents “had to” send them away alone to a strange place, with strangers, to an unknown future. My own brother has told me how he just could not figure it out. I think of our collective stories as pieces of a puzzle which, when complete, I hope, will present a more graspable picture for all of us of how our lives took the turn they took. I think this understanding gains importance as we grow older and have children and grandchildren to whom we want to leave a sense of their heritage. I am taking the liberty of e-mailing to you more of my thoughts about this theme, as it would be too long to include here. I hope it’s OK. Your Pedro Pan sister, yolanda

Message by Yolanda Cardenas Ganong | Jun 23rd 2009

It is strange that you know someone but know little about them. I had no idea you and Isa were part of the Peter Pan History. Now more than ever I bow my head to you, and all of the Peter Panners, it takes great courage being so young to indure such faith. We have family from our other side Rodriguez) Carmencita, that were Peter Panners also, Orlandito and Fernando. This is good what you are doing, to connect with people that were part of what you and Isa that have gone thru, reach out to let the world and most of all those places that are going thru much of the same process Cuban began to open their eyes and not allow the Sick,Egotiscal, Governments of their countries have them put thru what Cubans had to endure.

Message by Amina | Jun 8th 2009

i received your message but i could not answer soon because i do not enter in the computer every day since my older son had a car accident and is still in the hospital rehab i go there every day . i was in perez plana house and later went to another house i do not remember if was castillo or rodiguez-walling.i remember you for the camp.

Message by Alejandra Gutierrez Ramos | Jun 4th 2009

I read your story and it sounded so much like mine that I began to cry. I do not think I will be able to write mine for a while...never realized just how emotional I still felt about such things. I began to cry when I got to "la pecera" and am still crying. Yours is the first story I read. I think it will take me a while to get my thoughts together. Hope to see you very soon. Love Terry

Message by Teresita E Reuter | Jun 2nd 2009

TU NOMBRE ME ES CONOCIDO Y ALGUNAS QUE MENCIONA EN TU PROFILE TAMBIEN EN CASA DE QUIEN ESTUVISTE

Message by Alejandra Gutierrez Ramos | May 30th 2009