There is a tight bond that ties men who served together in the military. Young men in their late teens and early twenties from different communities, different cultures, different religious backgrounds, different ways of life were put together for a primary purpose – to defend the United States of America. 

Over a period of a few months, the men from diverse backgrounds became brothers in arms. Those few months in the lives of these men created a tight bond that would stand out uniquely for the rest of their lives.

I served in the US Army Military Police in the Panama Canal Zone from 1973 – 1975. Most of my tour was on the Atlantic side of the Canal with the 549th Military Police Company. 

This past week, Leslie and I joined some of the men and their wives returned to Panama. For some it had been nearly 50 years since they had been here. 

We toured the old places, swapped war stories, and reconnected as brothers in arms. We saw the drastic changes. The buildings where we lived at Coco Solo are gone and in their places are cranes and containers for the Atlantic side port. 

New, wider locks, on both ends of the canal allow larger vessels, known as Super Panamax ships to save millions by passing through the Crossroads of the World. Two huge new bridges now span the canal and interstate type highways crisscross the isthmus.

We were all disheartened to see the poverty and neglect in the city of Colon. What should be a booming tourist area on the beautiful Caribbean is crime-ridden. Our Panamanian bus driver did not like going through the old city. 

We took a partial tour through the canal. The tour guide on our small craft told us that it was a long standing tradition to kiss as you went under the Bridge of the Americas and the relationship would last forever. 

One of our friends from Panama said that he had lived here all his life and never heard of the tradition. We just followed orders.

There is a direct connection between Panama and the 2nd Congressional District. The new wider locks in the Panama Canal make the Savannah Port a vital asset to Georgia and the nation.

Just two weeks ago Senators Perdue and Loeffler and 1st District Congressman Buddy Carter announced a $34.6 million investment for expansion. In addition, President Trump included full funding of the Savannah Harbor expansion in his FY 2021 budget request to Congress.

The Georgia Ports Authority has an inland port in Bainbridge. Cordele has an intermodal facility and regional planners in Macon and Middle Georgia prepared a feasibility study for a port in that area.

As the port of Savannah expands, it is vital to expand access to multiple inland ports. Ships need to dock, load and unload, and clear the port quickly for more ships to come in.

Speedy rail service is a strategic and economic investment. Cordele is practically a stone’s throw from the US Marine Corps Logistics Command in Albany, Warner Robins Air Force base, Fort Benning in Columbus, and Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta. 

Our trip to Panama was a great time for me personally to connect with my brothers in arms and those involved in mission work from my time in ministry. It was also a great time to broaden the vision of the tremendous opportunities in store for Southwest Georgia. 

I bragged on Southwest Georgia while I was in Panama and I will keep on promoting our great region and state. Help me do that and send DC to DC. 

May God bless you and God bless America!

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