the network for
Operation Pedro Pan

Hello Vivian, my name is Silvio Rodriguez, and I was also sent to Helena, MT in 1962. I lived in Brondel Hall till 1965, and stayed in Montana until 1997. I don't mind telling you that we read your story and my wife and I both broke down. I did not know how hard it was for the younger kids in the St. Joseph Orphanage. I am truly sorry you and the other kids that had such a bad time at the orphanage. Now, after more than 50-years of arriving in Helena, mt, we are organizing a reunion of all the Cubans that were sent there. We would like for you and your family to join us for this reunion. Please go to this link for details:www.brondelreunion2013.com I am very glad to have found you. I would also appreciated if you could share any information on the kids that were housed in the orphanage. I hope to hear from you soon. Regards, Silvio

Message by Silvio Rodriguez Cuesta | Mar 6th 2013

Hello Vivian Aleida....I happened to be in the neigborhood and figured I would stop by your page to say a quick hello. Who is that handsome guy with the nice suit on the far right of your photo? He reminds me of George Clooney. Cariños..Ozzie

Message by Ozzie Mora | Feb 25th 2011

I may be able to help you with that. I saw Bernie last 1 1/2 years ago at my brother's memorial and I had his phone number but apparently it got erased when I changed phones. However, I'm almost sure that I can get it from my brother Tony. I'm so glad somebody remembers Bernie from Helena. I've asked various PPs that were there and no one knows him. He is such a sweetheart! We love Bernie very much. His favorite phrase is "eso esta querido"! Now that you and I have connected, I'll probably be able to see your email address so when I get the number, I'll email it to you.

Message by Susy Rodriguez | Feb 17th 2011

Hola. Me llamo Julio Gonzalez Collar. Dos de mis hermanas y yo estuvimos en el orfanato desde Oct 1961 hasta principios de Sept 1962. En la foto que tienes del grupo al costado del edificio, la tienes como en Easter pero fue mas bien por el 4 de Julio pues ese ano fue muy fuerte el invierno que hasta nevo en Mayo. Fijate que todos estatamos con manga corta. en la primera fila de Izq a Drcha tienes a Alina Gatorno, mi hermana Carmen,despues creo que es Aleida Gasset ,despues cuatro americanitas, despues Olguita, otra americanita y mi otra hermana Marta, en la segunda fila de I.a D. Rose Mary otra americanita, el primer chico creo que era Miguel Gonzalez , despues yo Julio Gonzalez, despues creo que era Ramoncito, despues un americanito, el siguiente creo que era Gasset el hermano de Aleida , el siguiente no recuerdo el nombre pero anos despues me conoci al padre que trabajaba en el mism hospital que yo aqui en Miami,despues Tomas Gatorno, Oretes el hermno de Olguita y Clara. La ultima fila esta El americano, Armando Waterland, Ricardo Fuente y Jorge {?}. Nosotros nos fuimos para N.J. a los pocos dias de ustedes llegar. Actualmente yo vivo en Granada Espana pero mis hermanas viven una en Miami y la otra en Penbrook Pines, yo suelo visitarlas por las fiestas de la Navidad. Un saludos muy grande.

Message by Julio Gonzalez Collar | Dec 21st 2010

Vivian: Try re-sizing your pics..usually smaller and make sure they are .pdf files and then, try again to upload them. Let me know if anyone of us can help.

Message by Susy Rodriguez | Sep 22nd 2010