the network for
Operation Pedro Pan

Carmen's Story

Soon after arriving in Miami I went to Chicago and stayed in an orphanage for 3 days and I was so fortunate to go live with Dr. & Mrs. Durso in Linconwood, Ill, a suburb of Chicago.

They had seven children and I was an only child so adjusting was difficult in the beginning but I had to learn English very fast. I graduated from Queen of All Saints and then went to Marywood High School in Evanston, Ill.

The biggest event was when my parents arrived in Miami on July 3rd, 1963 on the last shippment from Cuba to the US for the exchange of medicine for Bay of Pigs prisoners and parents of children from Pedro Pan.

All I can say is Thank You to my parents, who both have passed away but who were so brave to save me from Castro and his ideology.

I have two children and two grandchildren and I am a proud and active Democrat.