DAD'S BELOVED MOUNTAINS OF ADJUNTAS

GLADYS SINGS TO DAD

FRANCISCO; "I'VE TRIED TO BE A GOOD FATHER"

Francisco Serrano is seen here with his wife, Felicita M. Serrano. The audio reveals in Spanish, his love for his family. He recalls asking the Lord to extend his life until he see his granddaughter Sylvia walk down the aisle. Francisco also stated, "I have always tried to be a Good Father!" "I have always tried to help them" "My wishes for them were to help them go to college and become professional sons and daughters" Francisco loves everyone of his children equally. he had no favorites. It is apparent that Felicita was the Disciplinarian. Francisco Serrano rarely punished his children and it was only in the most egregious circumstances. He would often declare that it hurt him more than it did his children. Francisco Serrano has a zest for living a long life. His wife Felicita often declared: "You are asking too much of God" Francisco had a habit of asking the Lord to extend his life until he sees his newborn child shave. He kept amending this prayer every time each child was born. Francisco, later revised the prayer to include each of his grandchildren. The Lord has truly blessed this man with longevity.

A YOUNG PANCHITO

DAD'S HOME IN W.W.II

Until very recently Fort Clayton, a U.S. Army installation located at the Pacific opening of the Panama Canal, hosted the largest number of U.S. military and civilian personnel in Latin America. In 1994, prior to troop drawdowns, Fort Clayton accommodated 20,000 military and civilian personnel including family members.1 The facility’s closure and handover to Panama are to take place in December 1999.
Fort Clayton's 2,180 acres hosted the U.S. Army South (USARSO, the army component of the U.S. Southern Command, or Southcom), the Military Police Command, and the 106th Signal Brigade. The base also encompassed 1,392 homes, dormitories for 1,754, schools for dependents and several recreational facilities.2
U.S. Army South moved its headquarters to Fort Buchanan, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, between October 1998 and July 1999.3 The Southcom component, which includes an infantry battalion and aviation, engineer, intelligence, logistics and military police units, is now headquartered in the former “Building 390” barracks on the grounds of Fort Buchanan. The Defense Department is building new facilities for USARSO at Fort Buchanan as well, such as a 75-room guest house and a middle school.4
Between July 30 and December 31, 1999, the only USARSO presence in Panama is to be a “rear detachment” of 100 soldiers.5 Upon its move to Puerto Rico, USARSO will shrink from 3,868 to 1,382 active and reserve soldiers and civilians (the military component will shrink from 2,283 to about 900).6 “To compensate for reduced manning,” reports Southcom Commander-in-Chief Gen. Charles Wilhelm, “USARSO will rely heavily on the more than 16,000 Army and Air Force Guardsmen and Reservists stationed in Puerto Rico.”7
Corozal, a sub-installation at Fort Clayton, hosted the U.S. Army Tropic Test Center, the 470th Military Intelligence Brigade and several residences.8 U.S. Special Operations Command South (SOCSOUTH), the Special Forces component of Southcom, was headquartered at East Corozal until June 1999, when its 309 military and civilian personnel completed their move to U.S. Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico.9

DAD FEEDING THE BIRDS

A FATHER TO BE PROUD OF

By Noel Serrano

My Father never had much in life. He was raised by his Grandmother because his young mother Felicita was too busy taking care of herself, her husband and her large family. Francisco was raised in the hills of Adjuntas, Puerto Rico. His two uncles Jose and Juan were brought up together as brothers. Puerto Rico in the 1920s, were tough times. In the years ahead, the Great Depression would make this tiny island even more difficult for the families that struggled to survive. Francisco often spoke about a young Missionary named Mr Drury. He mentored the young Francisco and taught him English and about nobility, love of God and country. The young boy learned well and became a very responsible and devoted tutor. Mr Drury became very fond of young Francisco and helped him very much during these early years. There friendship was very similar to that of the two stars in the movie; the Karate kid. Francisco spoke to us about the many antics that he and his sister Mina use to do in between doing their daily chores. One day Panchito (as he was nick-named forever) gazed up at the big ducks flying about. This really impressed him. He went into the barn and saw the baby pigs and wondered out loud if they could fly too. One by one, Panchito threw them way up to the sky and they made a loud thump as they plunged to the ground. Some of those little pigs did not feel so well. When Panchito's grandparents came home and saw the sprawled pigs, they inquired; "What happened, Little Panchito was starry eyed and stood angelically quiet. His little sister Mina declared; "Pano, Pano, Bolla, Bolla," {fly, fly) The grand parents quickly learned what had happened. Panchito was whipped for this little undertaking.

Francisco Serrano was a hard working young man who was raised as a Baptist. He began preaching at a young age and the mysterious death of his father matured him before his time........(To be continued)