The Panama Canal
The U.S. Military in Panama
End of an Era
U.S. Military Regional Activities
Panama The Country
Related Web Sites and Literature
Dedications
The U.S. Southern Command -- the regional unified command responsible for U.S. military activities in Latin America (and, since mid-1977, also the Caribbean area and the Gulf of Mexico -- which had its genesis in Panama (from a permanent presence dating back to 1910 with the original mission of defense and protection of the Panama Canal) has been an active player in the region in supporting U.S. and allied national interests.

It is against this backdrop that this Web site -- In Retrospect -- is being developed. My intention is to briefly document that history (for context) and the contributions of the U.S. military to U.S. national interests and to the many countries of the region. Hopefully it will provide more insight than a fleeting story in print or broadcast. There have been many good stories coming out of the region during this period -- many of them only fleetingly reported and forgotten or unappreciated whether within the region or in the United States.

But, more so, I am developing this medium as a tribute to all those who served in Panama and the region and their contributions to our national defense and regional security cooperation.

I will announce such additions to this Home Page via a periodic e-mail newsletter.

William H. Ormsbee, Jr.

January 31, 2000