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NOTABLE CAREER PATHS WORTH MENTIONING

Some of our Pedro Pan brothers and sisters have involved themselves in careers dealing with helping others. They have chosen to dedicate their lives - or risk them! - in service to others. It is a special honor to consider these unique people as our brethren.

updated 03.14.24

These dedicated people have made their mark in the following fields:
1.- Careers in Medicine and Mental Health.
2.- Careers in Law Enforcement.
3.- Military Veterans.
4.- Careers in Education.
5.- Clergy.

 

1. CAREERS IN MEDICINE

FIRST WE HAVE OUR DEDICATED DOCTORS OF MEDICINE.

"Men who are occupied in the restoration of health to other men, by the joint exertion of skill and humanity, are above all the great of the Earth. They even partake of divinity, since to preserve and renew is almost as noble as to create." (Voltaire)

RAÚL JULIO ALCEBO CÉSPEDES- Wallington, CT                     (DECEASED)
Kendall (10/61-
Manager of Cardiology Department, Heart Catherization Laboratory of St. Raphael Hospital, Wallington, CT.  

GILBERTO ALFONSO FLORES - Washington, NC
Miami 08/61 - Matecumbe - foster home in Miami
Anesthesist

JORGE ALONSO – Destin, FL.
Medical Doctor. 
Website: www.varaderonorth.com


RICARDO S. ÁLVAREZ LÓPEZ - Sunny Isles Beach, FL
(Matecumbe - Casa de Sallies, Wilmington, DE)
MD

HUMBERTO P. BELTRANENA CAMACHO - FL                  (DECEASED)
(Matecumbe -  )
Chief of Anesthesia at Fisherman's Hospital, Marathon, FL

EDELBERTO CABRERA CHIRINO – West Palm Beach , FL
(Matecumbe – Kendall – orphanage in Peoria, IL
Immunologist (Retired)

JAMES F. CHAMBLESS SARMIENTO -
Miami, FL
(Florida City - went with relatives)
Medical Doctor graduated form the University of Zaragoza, Spain
Specialized in Internal Medicine in Pittsburgh, PA
Sub-specialty on Pulmonary Medicine at Georgetown University in Washington, DC
Practicing pulmonary medicine, internal medicine and critical care in Miami since 1982.

MARIANO CIBRÁN 
Medical Doctor

MANUEL B. CUESTA - Waycross, GA
(Matecumbe - Mount Loretto., NY)
Neurologist

OSCAR ALEJANDRO DEL PORTAL ANGULO, M.D., RPh. - Metairie, LA [DECEASED]
(La Salle del Vedado - Kendall (11/11/61 -  12/17/61)  - La Salle, Cincinatti, OH (1961-1963)
University of Nedws Orleans - Biology
Xavier University of Louisianna - Pharmacy 1977
LSU School of Medicine - MD 1983
LSU Obstetrics/Gynecology Residency 1987
[see MILITARY CAREERS]

OSCAR DÍAZ BARROTO “Borroto 50”- Ponce, PR. 
Cardiologist.  

FRANCISCO JOSÉ DIÉGUEZ FERNÁNDEZ 
Kendall (8/61 - ) - Whitehall - San Rafael

EMILCE ELGARRESTA - Sevierville, TN
Medical Doctor

RAMÓN FAGUNDO HERNÁNDEZ
(Matecumbe - Austin, TX) 
Matecumbe High School graduate!
MD

ALFREDO F. FERNÁNDEZ FERNÁNDEZ
- San Francisco, CA
(Florida City - St. Vincent's orphanage, Davenport, LA)
MD

JOSÉ FERRER ROO - Miami, FL 
(Kendall - ) 
Gastroenterologist.

ANTONIO FOJO SÁNCHEZ 
Miami 05/61  via Méjico
Cancer Doctor

RUBÉN DE JESÚS GIL RANDULFF - Miami, FL
(Kendall - St. Joseph Academy, Jacksonville, FL)
Cardiologist.

FRANCISCO MANUEL GÓMEZ VALDÉS
CWB 03/61

ROSA GÓMEZ RIVERA
Candler College.
Florida City [Moras] (3/4/62 - ) - foster home with the Bevignanis family in Beverly, IL
Twin sister of JULIA GÓMEZ
MD, D.F.A.P.A.


RAMÓN GORDILLO ROMERO -
Pembroke Pines, FL
Maristas de Santa Clara
Kendall (1/21/62- ) - Matecumbe - Opa-Locka (2/20/63 - 6/1/63)
Vietnam & Europe veteran [see Military]
Doctor of Dentistry
Employee of CDC in Atlanta for 25 years.

ANTONIO MARÍA GORDON PALOMINO - Miami, FL
St. John's Camp, Switzerland, FL  (1/13/61 - ) - Philadelphia, PA  
John Carroll Univers
ity, B.S. degree.
U
niversity of Miami, Master's degree
D
octorate  at   Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
Specialized in Internal medicine at Jackson memorial hospit
al in Miami
U.S. Navy Reserve.
Book: "Éxodo del 94: Guantánamo, Panamá, Islas Caimán and Krome" (2015) sobre los balseros que acabaron en Guantánamo mientras Bill Clinton decidía qué hacer con ellos. En parte es una memoria sobre los 45,000 a 50,000 balseros que se habían tirado al mar hasta entonces huyendo a la dictadura roja de los Castro. Unos 32,000 fueron llevados  a Gitmo, de los que la mayoría fueron aceptados en los EEUU. Go
rdon viajó a Guantánamo - donde estaba un primo de él - 4 veces y cuenta sobre el periodiquito "Qué pasa?". The English version "The Cuban Exodus of 1994" was published in 2016
Other books:
"Medicina Indígena de Cuba" (2011) con Angel Rodríguez ÁLvarez
"A Rusia por Valladolid" (2016) con Juan Belza
"The Flight of the Mango Flowers: A Memoir of our way out of the Cold War, a Testimony of Pedro Panes and the early Cuban Exodus".(2016)- an autobiography
Para que le conozcan un poco, vean esta presentación, que  es muy interesante:
https://youtu.be/U7GvLceDlko



LÁZARO GUERRA PADRÓN  
(Kendall - Casa de Sallies, Wilmington, DE) 
MD

JESÚS H. HERNÁNDEZ FERNÁNDEZ
Miami 2/62
MD

JUAN MANUEL HERNÁNDEZ-TRUJILLO y LAMOTHE
(Matecumbe - went with aunt in Miami)
Medical School in Zaragoza, Spain - Graduated in 1975
MD - Private practice in Pediatrics from 1978 to 2005.
Successfully retired at 60!

JOSÉ JAVIER LLORENS ALBUERNE - Hialeah, FL
(Florida City 8/62
Dentist


LEONARDO LÓPEZ BARREDO -
Miami, FL
(Matecumbe -  )
Cardiologist

NILDA (LÓPEZ) DÍAZ 
(Florida City - Mission San Jose, CA)
MD


RENÉ LUIS LÓPEZ-GUERRERO MERUELO -
Miami, FL
 (St. Joseph's Villa - )
MD

AMADO MAIJUB DELGADO -
OH
(Kendall - Cristo Rey, Lincoln, NE)
MD

DANIEL FRANCISCO MANDRÍ - NY
Originally ADALBERTO MANDRÍ PEREIRO
(Kendall 02/62 -
Psychiatrist 
Diplomate of American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
Member of New York Academy Sciences, the American Psychiatry Association, the World Psychiatry Association, the World Federation of Mental Health and the American Association of
Community Psychiatrists

CARLOS MARTÍNEZ BERTRÁN – Miami, FL 
(Matecumbe 7/62 –   
MD  

CARLOS MAYANS MULKAY -
Wichita, KS
(Matecumbe - Mariana Home, Wichita, KS)
Medic in the US Army.

ROBERTO MIQUEL AMARO “El Marciano”                       (DECEASED)
(Matecumbe–Camp San Pedro, Orlando)  
Family Practice MD

RAÚL MIRANDA – CA 
(Kendall – Villa Virgen del Cobre, Albuquerque, NM) 
MD

RENÉ MOLINA "Tongolele" PA  
(Kendall  - Camp San Pedro, Orlando, FL) 
Urologist  

FLORENCIO A. NADAL ALONSO - Tampa, FL
(Matecumbe - Des MOines, IO)
Medical degree from the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara, Méjico in 1974.
Opened medical practice in Brandon, FL in 1978. Today Nadal Pediatrics has two locations.

RAÚL J. NOY ANCHIA - Arecibo, PR
(went with friend in Miami 4/62)
Ophthalmologist MD

JULIO J. NÚÑEZ ARGUELLES  “El Nábola” – Orlando, FL
( - Camp San Pedro, Orlando, FL Camp St. John, Jacksonville, FL)
Medical Doctor, Anesthesiologist

ERNESTO PERDOMO ABREU -
(Matecumbe - Austin, TX)
One of the Matecumbe High School graduates!
MD


JOSÉ MANUEL PÉREZ - Cerritos, CA
[
Matecumbe - Wilmington, DE ( - 65) - St. Thomas Orphanage, Lincoln, NE (65-66)]
Medical doctor in charge of the Neonatology Department at Long Beach Memorial Hospital, Long Beach, CA


CARLOS A. PRENDES FERNÁNDEZ- Wichita, KS             (DECEASED)
(Kendall - Lincoln, NE)
MD 
As of 2011 working as Primary care Physician at Robert Dole VA Hospital in Wichita, KS 

JOSÉ LUIS PRENDES FERNÁNDEZ – Lincoln, NE            (DECEASED)
(Matecumbe – Cristo Rey, Lincoln, NE). 
Neurologist  

JUAN R. PUERTO LAGARZA - FL
(Matecumbe - Mount St. Vincent's Home for Boys, Denver, CO)
Graduate of University of Colorado
Medical Degree from Michigan State University
Practices medicine in SW Florida

JUAN ANTONIO PUERTO MERAS
(Matecumbe - 
Cirujano Ortopédico.

ANTONIO RADELAT PÉREZ - Ft. Myers, FL                       (DECEASED)
(Maristas de Santa Clara - Kendall - Matecumbe - Marquette, MI)
Army Medic                                                               

HUMBERTO RAVELÓ SÁNCHEZ                                    (DECEASED)
(Matecumbe – Whitehall
Thoracic Surgeon

MARIANO JOSÉ REY FERNÁNDEZ                                (DECEASED)
06/61 CWB
MD

ÁNGEL I. RIBÓ SOMINES, PA-C, MPAS - Longview, TX
(Kendall - went with friends in Tampa)
Physician Assistant/Clinical Researcher
Presently (2012) working as Clinical Director and Primary Care Provider for Valley AIDS Council (VAC) in Harlen, TX.
Previously served on the Clinical Faculty with the Texas and Oklahoma AETC while working as a Primary Care Provider at Parkland's HIV / AIDS Clinic in Dallas from 1998 to 2004.
Also a Consultant and Physician Assistant through his company Ribó Research and Consulting providing clinical services.
Previously served as the Director of DCOL (Diagnostic Clinic of Longview) Center for Clinical Research in Longview, TX, from 2005 to 2009.
Served as Principal Investigator or Sub-Investigator on nearly 100 Phase II to IV clinical trials in multiple therapeutic areas besides HIV / AIDS.
Also served as Clinical Director for Special Health Resources for Texas from 2004 to 2005, which has been providing Substance Abuse prevention, intervention and treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS. Their 3 clinics serve an area encompassing 23 counties and 15,000 square miles in East Texas.
ANGEL holds a BS Degree in Physician Assistant Studies from UT Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, TX and a BA in Education from Southeastern Bible College in Birmingham, AL. He also holds a Master's Degree in Physician Assistant Studies with Specialization in Infectious Diseases.
His long-standing role as a bilingual educator to healthcare professionals and patients has taken him abroad as well since 1998. His presentations for several pharmaceutical companies include diagnosis, treatment, adherence and cultural barriers to care.
DR. RIBÓ has been one of the chief collaborators for the Texas and Oklahoma AETC border initiative in 2000.
He has received recognition, awards and commendations for excellence in the areas of community assistance, research and education by groups such as MADD, the Dallas Police Department, Southwest Organ Bank and The American Academy of Physician Assistants.
There is more detailed information at www.riboresearch.com


PEDRO RODRÍGUEZ (renamed Peter Monroe) –
FL
(Kendall - Camp San Pedro, Orlando, FL)  
Gynecologist

ROLANDO SABATÉS ARNIELLA "Roly" - Kansas City, MO 
(Florida City - )
Ophthalmologist MD. 

JOSEFA SALAZAR –
Orlando, FL. 
Gynecologist (Retired)

HERIBERTO SEDEÑO SUÁREZ – Houston, TX  
(Matecumbe – Houston, TX)
Family Practice Medicine

JUAN ANTONIO SIMÓN PÉREZ – Miami , FL  
(Matecumbe – Whitehall , FL
Neurologist

AMBROSIO "AMBROSE" SOLER CALDAS – Boynton Beach, FL  
(went with uncle in Miami - Holy Family Convent, Marquette, MI) 
Pediatrician

LEONEL TANO FERNÁNDEZ - San Antonio, TX
(Matecumbe 9/62 )
University of Salamanca
MD

JULIO J. VALDÉS MARTÍNEZ - Tampa, FL                        DECEASED
Kendall (10/61) - Matecumbe - Camp St. John near Jacksonville, FL
Pediatrician

JOSÉ MANUEL VEGA - Costa Rica 
(Matecumbe - Austin, TX) 
MD

ALFREDO VICHOT ÁLVAREZ - Marrero, LA
(Kendall -  )
Universidad de Salamanca
MD


ÁNGEL VIDAL
TRUJILLO “Panchy” Miami, FL 
(Matecumbe – Lincoln, NE) 
MD
Specialized in Arthritis.


GUILLERMO VILLARMARZO GARCÍA 
(NY - PR)
Graduated from University of Santiago de Compostela 1974 as MD
Board-certified pathologist in San Juan.
Licensed to practice medicine un Georgia and PR.

JORGE LUIS ZALDÍVAR LEÓN 
Miami - Matecumbe 7/62
Medical Doctor

 

 

 


THOSE WHO TAKE CARE OF OUR MENTAL HEALTH ARE VERY SPECIAL PEOPLE:

MARÍA ANGULO VELOSO
(Florida City - foster home in Chicago, IL)
School psychologist for Chicago Public School System for 34 years.
Retired.

KENIA MARÍA (CASARREAL SUÁREZ) ADAJIAN - Palm Beach, FL                     
( CWB 02/61 - St. Vincent's School, Vincennes, IN)                                       
                                                                                      [DECEASED]
BA summa cum laude from Marian College, Indianapolis, IN
MA and PhD in Organizational Psychology from Claremont Graduate School, CA
Masters of Arts degrees in Special Education, Psychology and Education Psychology from California State University, Los Angles, CA
Extensive national experience in a variety of non-profit and grassroots organizations:
Watts Community Center;
Parent Coordinator at Project Head Start:
the Sophia Salvin Special Education Early Childhood Unit Model Project;
El Centro Mental Health Center.
Has performed in a pro bono basis for innumerable consultations for grassroots AIDS programs and women's, minorities and children's organizations.
Named Arts Patron of the Year in 2005.
Was a founding member of the Legacy Society of the Long Beach Museum of Art, a past trustee of the LBA Collector's Circle and, with her husband Jake, longtime supporters of the Carpenter Performing Arts Center.
Kenia was a board member subscriber and patron of the Long Beach Symphony Orchestra, a supporter of the Museum of Latin American Art and a board member of the Long Beach Library Foundation.
Her legacy is to the CSULB's College of the Arts to the "Dr. Kenia Casarreal-Adajian and Judge Jacob Adajian Scholarship Fund" for the promotion of voice, opera and College of the Arts.
[Source: The Long Beach Press-Telegram from April 28 to Aoril 30, 2010]
 

   ENRIQUE CASERO PÉREZ -
Coconut Grove, FL
(went with relatives in Miami)
MD in Psychology.
Works for Jackson Medical in Miami.

   DAVID ECHEVARRÍA TORRES – Miami, FL
(Florida City – St. Raphael’s – Opa Locka)
Clinical Psychologist specialized in forensics.

   
PEDRO M. FERREIRA GARCÍA - Wilmington, DE            (DECEASED)
(Matecumbe
- Casa de Sallies, Wilmington, DE)
Neuropsychologist.
University of Delaware Bachelor of Psychology degree in 1969 and Masters in Education degree in 1973.
PhD. in Counseling Psychology from Temple University in 1983.
MBA from Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 1998.
Consultant for Social Security Delaware, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.
Private Psychology practice.
Consultant to State and Federal Public Defenders.
Clinical Psychologist and Teacher. Involved in Headstart program.

  EUGENIO FLAMAND PÉREZ “Gene” Chicago, IL
(Matecumbe – Lincoln, NE
Child Psychologist

  CARLOS A. FRANCO BEATO “Manatí” – Miami, FL
(Kendall – Florida City Kendall )
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor / Mental Health

LUIS T. GARCÍA MENÉNDEZ "Nene"- NJ
(Escolapios - Florida City  - Mariana Boys Home, Wichita, KS)
College Professor & Dean at Rutgers University
Degree in Psychology

  ANA CRISTINA GARDANO – Chevy Chase, MD.  
Psychologist, PhD

  MANUEL RAFAEL GÓMEZ PALOMEQUE – Miami, FL
(Went with family) 
Psychotherapist

  MARÍA DEL PILAR GONDRA “Pili” – Miami, FL
(Went with family in NC) 
Licensed Psychotherapist, PhD

  MAIDA (HERNÁNDEZ NOTARIO) KEITH – LaVerne, CA
(Kendall – Florida City – Sunnyside, Richland & Grandview, WA)
School Psychologist

YOLANDA (LÓPEZ MIRANDA) MILLER – Oregon
(went with friend in Miami
Psychotherapist
Assistant Editor for Krill Press.
Planning to publish “Ordinary Times” in 2011.

  MARÍA TERESA (MARQUÉS VIGNIER) VÉLEZ - Tucson, AZ   (DECEASED)
(Instituto Edison en Lawton - Florida City - foster home in Albuquerque, NM)
Widow of renowned biochemist and professor Darrell Goll.
PhD in socio-clinical psychology from the Wright Institute.
Clinical Psychologist 
Associate Dean of the Graduate College of the University of Arizona.
Director of Counseling and Testing at UA.
Has served in many national boards, including the Council of Graduate Schools' Minority Advisory Board and the GRE Board's MGE Committee; and has received several awards including the ACS Stanley C. Israel, the Regional Award for Advancing Diversity in the Chemical Sciences, the UA's Vision Award, the UA's Peter W. Likins Inclusive Excellence Award and the 2008 UA Homecoming Alumni's award. 

LILLIAN (MIRABAL) MÉNDEZ  
(Florida City [4/62]  - Queen of Heaven Orphanage in Denver, CO)  
Psychotherapist

BERNARDO NOBO ESPINOSA                                       (DECEASED)
(Matecumbe 8/61-
Private practice psychotherapist


MARÍA DEL CARMEN (PÉREZ CANCELAS) ROMAÑACH
(Kendall - relatives in Puerto Rico)
Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the State of Florida.

LOURDES RODRÍGUEZ NOGUES – Boston, MA
(Kendall – St. Joseph’s Home, Brooklyn, NY
Psychologist

  AGUSTÍN SUÁREZ SUÁREZ– LA. 
(Matecumbe - )
Psychiatrist.  

   CARMEN TAMARGO BIOSCA -
Warrenton, VA
(Kendall - St. Aloysius orphanage in Cincinnati, OH)
Clinical Psychologist.

    ALEJO VADA HERNÁNDEZ
(Matecumbe - Jesuit Boys Residence - Opa Locka)
Doctorate in Counseling Psychology from University of Florida.

 

 

 

HOWEVER, THE DOCTORS' WORK WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE SUPPORT PERSONNEL THAT SMOOTH THE WAY FOR THE PROPER PREPARATION AND COMPLETE RECOVERY. THESE SPECIAL PEOPLE ARE SOMETIMES NOT EVEN NOTICED AND WE SHOULD BE AWARE OF THEM AND GIVE THEM CREDIT:

  ANTONIO ARIAS NACER
(went with aunt and uncle in Miami)
Founder of NCG Medical Systems

  FRANCISCO JESÚS AVELLANET GARCIA -
Westport, CT
(went with his older sister in Miami - foster home in Boston, MA)
Inventor and Engineering Business Executive.
Has BSME degree and holds 27 patents as an inventor and 3 pending applications. Has developed and commercialized dozens of life-saving medical devices.

  MARÍA C. CORREA DOVAL - San Antonio, TX
(Florida City - Sacred Heart Convent, San Antonio, TX)
Registered Nurse, Registered Vascular Technologist, MHSA
Author of several scientific papers in the area of peripheral circulation and treatment modalities. She is a pioneer in the establishment of the first such lab in South Florida .

  ANTONIO DE VERA FERNÁNDEZ – Vega Baja, Puerto Rico
(Florida City – St. Vincent’s Orphanage in Vincennes, IN)
CEO American Red Cross  

  LIDIA (DECARDENAS LINAJE) GAMBLE
(went with friends in Miami - foster home in Miami)

Registered Nurse

  JOSÉ MANUEL GÓMEZ – Ryebrook, NY 
(Florida City – Oswego, NY)
Pharmacist – Owner of his own Pharmacy

  MARÍA INÉS GONDRA - Aurora, CO
Owner of Jensen Medical, Aurora, CO

CLAUDIO GONZÁLEZ CASAIS – Miami, FL  
(Kendall – foster home in Moxee City, IO)
Director at Local Hospital

  LUIS R. GONZÁLEZ RIVERO “Dorticós” Miami, FL
(Matecumbe [3/62] – Jesuit Boys Residence – Opa Locka)
Director of Operations in Medical Company

  CONCHITA (GUTIÉRREZ) GONZÁLEZ – Miami, FL
( Kendall – Queen of Heaven Orphanage, Denver, CO) 
Medical Technologist

  MERCEDES (LEAL RADCLIFF) GONZÁLEZ – Miami, FL
(foster home in Houston, TX
Pharmacist

  OLGA MARÍA (NODAR MARTÍNEZ) SANTISTEBAN - Los Angeles, CA
(Kendall - orphanage in Denver, CO)
Retired. Registered Nurse for 38 years.

  AUREA GISELA (PALACIOS) ALMA – Elizabeth, NJ
(Florida CityIndianapolis, IN
Registered Nurse

  OSCAR JIMÉNEZ AGUIRRE -
Coral Gables, FL
(Kendall - )
Owner of a medical device company related to neurological instrumentation.
As of 2010, developing a stroke therapy device using fiber optic and lasers.

CLARA ELENA LEYVA CORTINA - Tampa, FL
(went with grandparents in Miami)
Has worked in the medical staffing industry, servicing all areas of health care, for over 20 years.
Owned and operated ATC Florida Nurses/ATC Healthcare Services, Inc. in Tampa, FL since 2005.
In 2011 opened Ascend Homecare, which focuses on helping the elderly and disabled in the comfort of their homes.

ILEANA VICTORIA (MAZA) REMOND - Miami, FL
(Kendall - Ladywood School in Indianapolis, IN)
Retired RN from University of Connecticut Health Center

 
   MARGARITA (PRATS) LORA – MD 
(Kendall - orphanage in Syracuse, NY)
Research Medical Technologist at NIH

  JOSÉ RODRÍGUEZ MENÉNDEZ “El Heladero” Boynton Beach, FL
(Matecumbe – Lincoln, NE
Pharmacist at Bethesda Hospital (Semi-retired)

  MIRIAM (RODRÍGUEZ) SPROUSE – FL 
(Florida CityWichita, KS
Registered Nurse.

  ENRIQUE JOSÉ SABATÉS “Kiki” Miami, FL
(Matecumbe – Los Alamos, NM
Optician

 

 

 

 

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

            2. CAREERS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT.

IT REQUIRES A VERY SPECIAL PERSON TO RUN INTO A BURNING BUILDING OR TO FACE A DANGEROUS CRIMINAL IN ORDER TO HELP SOCIETY AND TO MAINTAIN A SEMBLANCE OF CIVILIZATION. THESE PEOPLE ARE THE LOWEST-PAID AND LEAST APPRECIATED PROFESSIONALS IN THE ENTIRE HISTORY OF THE WORLD, AND WE ALL OWE THEM A GREAT DEBT.

CARLOS ALONSO NIETO “Charles Ganzúa” – Miami, FL
(Casa Carrión – Kendall – Opa Locka – Matecumbe)
US Customs and Border Protection  

ROQUE ALVARIÑO DONESTÉVEZ “Ratón Blanco”- Miami, FL
Worked for Miami-Dade Corrections Department.

JOSÉ A. R. BENKIAnkeny, IO 
(Matecumbe – 
Firefighter

ALFREDO R. BOZA SARIOLCooper City, FL
(Matecumbe – Kendall – Opa Locka)
Miami Beach Police Detective. (Semi-retired)

RAFAEL CARVAJAL RAMOS “El Magnífico” Miami, FL             DECEASED
(Matecumbe – Villa Virgen del Cobre, Albuquerque, NM) 
Customs Agent.

FELIPE CORRALES SÁNCHEZ Palm Coast, FL  
(Matecumbe – Opa Locka)
30-year veteran of the Florida Highway Patrol (Retired)

LUIS DÍAZ GONZÁLEZ “El Patriota”- West Covina, CA
( Camp Matecumbe – Mariana Home, Wichita, KS)
LAPD Police Sergeant (Retired)  

MARÍA ELENA DOMÍNGUEZ MARÍN  - CA
Kendall (10/12/61 - ) - went with an aunt 
Had a career in Law Enforcement.

GUSTAVO FERNÁNDEZ MORENO Lansing, MI
(Kendall - St. Vincent’s Home for Orphans, Lansing, MI)
School Policeman at Michigan State University

JUAN FRANCISCO FERNÁNDEZ BORREGO - Miami, FL
(Matecumbe 11/61 - )
Miami-Dade Junior College, Associate Degree in Criminolgy and Police Science 1968. Florida State University, Bachelor of Arts, School of Social Welfare, Department of Criminology 1971.
Married in 1973 to a wonderful woman Marina Escobar. Three children, two girls and one boy, ten grand children
1974-2004 Miami-Dade Police department. After thirty years of continued service Honorbly retired as Police Bureau Commander.

FREDDY J. GARCÍA RODRÍGUEZ Miami, FL  
(Matecumbe –  )
City of Miami Beach Policeman  

JORGE L. LAUCIRICA - Murphy, NC
(Kendall - Florida City - St. Agnes School, Sparkill, NY)
28 years with City of Miami Police Department (retired)

PEDRO MANUEL LLANIO MARTÍNEZ - Miami, FL                    DECEASED
Miami 7/61
Decorated Veteran of the Florida Highway Patrol

JOAQUÍN MIRANDA FLORES - Miami, FL
(Florida City - went with his godfather in Hialeah)
Miami policeman for 9 years.

CARLOS PADILLA “Patilla” – Indianapolis, IN
(Matecumbe – Opa Locka) 
Firefighter (Retired)  
Carlos is a motorcycle enthusiast. He is one of those "bikers" one
sees taking presents to poor children in Christmas and other special
occasions. Although he retired, being a qualified Paramedic, he is 
still active - and effective! - when the need appears.

MANUEL PÉREZ CAPÓN McDonough, GA
(Matecumbe – Helena, MT) 
Miami-Dade Detective (Retired)  

PEDRO MEDARDO PINO PADRÓN
(Matecumbe - foster home with Olivares & Utreras in Portland, OR)
St. Clair County Sheriff's deputy 

HUMBERTO RAPADO GONZÁLEZ CAMERO Oviedo, FL
(Kendall – Mariana Children’s Home in Wichita, KS
Police Officer Miami-Dade) (1981-2001)(Retired)
Special Agent with FDLE (2001)
Liberty Mutual Investigator (2001-2013)

 LUIS JOSÉ RODRÍGUEZ CABRERAWest Palm Beach , FL
(Matecumbe – Opa Locka- Fort Wayne, IN
Graduate of St. Francis College, Brooklyn, NY. 
Served 30 years in the Palm Beach County Police Department and attained the rank of Sergeant. Afterwards he worked as an Investigator for the State Attorney's Office 15th Judicial District and happily retired on July 30, 2014.
LUIS also taught High School for 4 years prior to his Law Enforcement career.

 ROBERTO DE JESÚS ROJAS REYES -
Chicago. IL
(Miami refugee barracks - foster home in Albuquerque, NM)
Chicago Fire Department Captain

LUCIANO SÁNCHEZ Miami , FL  
(Miami - orphanage in Philadelphia, PA)
Dade County
policeman. His daughter is a policewoman as well.  

MARÍA DE LOS ÁNGELES (SUERO MARTÍNEZ) LÓPEZ -
Miami, FL
(Florida City - St. Thomas Orphanage, Lincoln, NE - David City, NE)
Pretrial Officer 2 Dept. of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Miami, FL

OSCAR RAFAEL VEGA “Flaco” Miami, FL 
(Florida City – Wichita, KS)
Miami-Dade Police Department

 

 

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  

                   3. MILITARY VETERANS.

"No man who is not willing to bear arms and to fight for his rights can give a good reason why he should be entitled to the privilege of living in a free community." (Theodore Roosevelt)

"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigues of supporting it." (Thomas Paine)

"Only TWO defining forces have ever offered to die for you:
Jesus Christ and the  Patriotic Soldier. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom." (attributed to Prime Minister Tony Blair)

note: 114 pedropans {1 lady} are known to have served as of 03/14/24

RAÚL L. ACEVEDO LÓPEZ (CA)
[foster home in Miami – foster home in Burbank, CA]
US Army 1964-1966

RAFAEL J. ALCÁZAR ÁLVAREZ ( Charlotte , NC )
[Matecumbe – foster home in Richland, WA]
US Army 1966-1968

JUAN ALEGRÍA DELGADO
[Kendall – St. Joseph's orphanage in Dayton, OH]
Veteran.

SEBASTIÁN ALMAZÁN DELGADO "Chany"
Army 1969-1971

CARLOS ALONSO NIETO “Charles Ganzúa” (Miami, FL)
[Casa Carrión-Kendall-Opa Locka-Matecumbe]
“I joined the US Army in 1964 to train under the orders for those Cubans still under the Bay of Pigs Training Act signed by Kennedy. In 1967 I joined the Army again to fight Communism in Vietnam (spent a year). Later I got transferred to a missile site in Fairbanks , AK (spent a year and a half)”
Attained rank of  Sergeant Specialist 5. 
Enlisted as “United Cubans.” In 1964. Army assigned pre-fix UC to the group. Re-enlisted in 1967 and trained in Fort Belvoir , VA.
18th Brigade 577th Engineer Batallion 1968-1969 Tuy-Hoa, Vietnam
US Army Command Vietnam USMACV Service 1968-1969
US Alaska Command Fort Wainwright and Fairbanks , AK
562nd Artillery Unit, Battery A, Knight Hawk Missiles, Moose Creek , AK
[Carlos has the neatest military uniform patches I have ever seen. The Editor]

HÉCTOR ÁLVAREZ DE LA TORRE "Hércules" (Miami, FL)
[Matecumbe - Richland, WA]
USMC Vietnam veteran.

ROQUE ALVARIÑO DONESTÉVEZ “Ratón Blanco”, “Amargado”, Rubio”,  Palmira”, “Americano” (Miami, FL)
[Matecumbe – foster home in Spokane/Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA]
Army, 1969-1971.
Roque volunteered during the Vietnam War but was stationed in Panama . Afterwards he joined and has been a member of the National Guard since. He was first with the 149th, then with the 743rd, and with the 260th MI since 1998. The 260th  is always 80% active.

FAUSTINO AMARAL GARCÍA "Tino" (Miami, FL)
(Florida City - foster homes in Albuquerque, NM & Newport News, VA]
Air Force

CLEMENTE C. AMÉZAGA-WOLF “El Técnico”, “El Ingeniero” (Miami, FL)
[
Matecumbe – Whitehall, FL]
Sp. 4, Signal Corps, Telecom Instructor, Company C, Ninth Battalion, USASESS*, 3rd Army, Fort Gordon, GA.
(*) Unites States Army South Eastern Signal School.

JOSÉ MANUEL AMÉZAGA BELLO (Miami, FL)  
[Kendall – Idaho Orphanage]
US Army, served in Alaska

JOSÉ ARAGÓN DÍAZ (Miami, FL)
[Florida City - Colfax, WA]
USAF - Retired

AGUSTÍN FRANCISCO ARRIETA RODRÍGUEZ (Coral Gables, FL)       [DECEASED]
Catholic Diocese arrival 4mar61, not on Miami herald database
Veteran - Buried with Military Honors.


RAFAEL ARTILES GUTIÉRREZ
(Glendale, CA)
[Opa Locka - Matecumbe -  ]
US Army

JOSÉ ARANGO BUZAINZ
[Kendall - Sacred Heart Orphanage, Pueblo, CO]
US Army

DARÍO J. AVELLO MURO (Miami, FL)
[went with family in Miami]
USMC 1966-1969
Vietnam 1968-1969
Sergeant E-5

JUAN ARTURO BACIGALUPI SOTOLONGO                            [DECEASED]
Miami (3/61
US Army vetran SP4 - Vietnam

MIGUEL OSCAR BADÍA GONZÁLEZ                                       [DECEASED]
(Kendall [11/61-] 
US Army vetran SP4 - Vietnam

ENRIQUE BASSAS ALMEIDA (Miami, FL)
[Matecumbe -    ]
Vietnam Veteran.

PEDRO BELTRÁN CÓRDOVA 
[Matecumbe 03/62 - Portland, OR
Vietnam Veteran

CARLOS BERMÚDEZ ZAYAS (FL)
[Matecumbe - Florida City - Opa Locka - Villa Virgen del Cobre, Albuquerque, NM]
Vietnam Veteran.

WILFREDO BERMÚDEZ ZAYAS (Miami, FL)
[Matecumbe - Villa Virgen del Cobre, Albuquerque, NM]
Vietnam Veteran.

ALFREDO BOTET ZULOAGA 
[Colegio La Salle - foster home in Winnetka, IL]
Air Force veteran. Sergeant.

MODESTO BURGOS GIL  (Miami, FL)
[home of George & Peggy Guarch - Camp St. John, Jacksonville, FL]
US Army Military Police in Germany 1968-1970

PEDRO D. CABALLERO ARAÑA (Miami, FL)
Matecumbe 08/62 - Jesuit Boys' Residence - Opa Locka
US Army 1970-1972 - 82nd Airborne Division
 

JULIO CABARGA D'LAESA “Camarones” (Hialeah, FL)
[Matecumbe–foster home in Prosser, WA)
US Army, Korea 1967-1968.

RAFAEL CAMPUZANO GARCÍA (Miami, FL)
[Matecumbe – foster home in Sparks , NV]
Vietnam
vet, 2 tours.

JOSÉ MANUEL CATA LAZO DE LA VEGA 
Opa Locka (8/12/62 - 8/15/62) - Matecumbe (8/15/62 - 11/14/62) - foster home with Barbato famiily in Long Island, NY (11/14/62 - 6/63)
Army veteran 1966-1968.
Korea DMZ 5/67-5/68.

RICARDO J. CATA LAZO DE LA VEGA  (Miami, FL)
[Matecumbe - foster home in Long Island, NY]
Military Police in the Armed Forces Police detachment in Washingotn DC for 21 months.

RINALDO CEBRIÁN GARAY
(CA)
[Kendall – orphanage in Jackson, MI]
US Navy Vietnam veteran.

FERNANDO COLLADO GONZÁLEZ (Chicago, IL)
[Camp Matecumbe – San Rafael]
Served as a US Marine from 1967 to 1969 (in ‘ Nam 68-69). Graduated top of his recruiting class at Marine Corps Depot in San Diego, CA .  

OSCAR COSSIO GANDIA “Tiburón” (Torrance, CA)                    [DECEASED]
[Matecumbe – Lincoln, NE]
Vietnam Veteran.

ERNESTO DE ARMAS SARDIÑAS "Nesty" (Memphis, TN)
[Florida City -  ]
US Coast Guard Officer and Pilot.

RAMÓN LUIS DE GUZMÁN CHAPLE (Miami, FL)
[Matecumbe - ]
US Army.

GUILLERMO D. DE ZAYAS TAMAYO (Miami, FL)
[Matecumbe - Kendall - Opa Locka - foster home in Portland, OR]
Army
Air Force in Vietnam for one year

WINSTON DeFERIA MILEHAM  (Carolina, PR)
[Kendall - Ft. Wayne, IN]
US Army 1965

CARLOS ALBERTO DEL PORTAL ANGULO (Newington, CT)    [DECEASED]
[ Kendall – foster home]
Vietnam Combat Veteran 1968-1969 with the 25th Infantry Division

OSCAR ALEJANDRO DEL PORTAL ANGULO - Metairie, LA        [DECEASED]
La Salle del Vedado
Kendall (11/11/61 -  12/17/61)  - La Salle, Cincinatti, OH (1961-1963)
US ARMY 1965-1968
Vietnam veteran - First Infantry Division 1967-1968
[see also CAREERS IN MEDICINE]

MÁXIMO DU BOUCHET CÁDIZ
(Denver, CO)
[Kendall – foster home in San Antonio, TX]
Navy Corpsman 1972-1980. Naval Reserves 1980-1995.

ERNESTO DUMOIS HERNÁNDEZ 
[Florida City - ]
Vietnam Veteran

NELSON EGÚRROLA GRILLO (Miami, FL)
[Matecumbe – St. Edward’s High School, Austin, TX]
US Army veteran.

ADOLFO M. ESTRADA REYES (Río Piedras, PR)                 [DIED IN ACTION]
[CWS 4/20/62 - ]
US Army - Vietnam (assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile)
Arrived in 'Nam 11/14/68, KIA 12/03/68 in combat at Phuoc Long - NINETEEN days after arriving! His body was recovered and sent to the family for burial.
His name appears on the Vietnam War Monument in Washington DC on Panel 37W - Line 34.

MANUEL FANDIÑO LÓPEZ                                           [DECEASED]
[Florida City (9/62-  ) - foster home in Albuquerque, NM]
US Army Infantry medic in Vietnam (Volunteered) 

CELSO FERNÁNDEZ COLLAZO (Marietta, GA)
[  - foster home in NJ]
Vietnam US Army veteran. 5th Infantry Division in 1967.

GUSTAVO J. FERNÁNDEZ CABRERA                                [DECEASED]
Miami 05/62
Vietnam Veteran

IVO RICARDO FERNÁNDEZ ECHEVARRÍA “Cara de Cote”  [DECEASED]
[Matecumbe – Camp San Pedro, Orlando , FL ]
Vietnam veteran 

JESÚS FERNÁNDEZ TABRAUER (Miami, FL)
[Matecumbe – St. Edwards High School, Austin, TX]
Vietnam US Army veteran with the 101st Airborne (1965-1967)

JUAN ANTONIO FERNÁNDEZ MIRANDA
Mateumbe 11/61
US Army warrant officer 1966


JUAN CARLOS FERNÁNDEZ CASANOVA (Miami, FL)
[Florida City - Opa Locka]
Intelligence Officer for the US Air Force. Retired in 2001 with rank of Lieutenant Colonel..
Currently (2009) working for the Department of Justice as Chief of Security for the US Attorneys' Office in South Florida.

LUIS T. FERNÁNDEZ HIDALGO
[Miami - Jacksonville - Opa Locka - Holy Family Name, Marquette, MI]
US Army
retired as Huey crew chief.

PEDRO FERREIRA GARCÍA  
(Wilmington, DE)            [DECEASED]
[Matecumbe – Casa de Sallies, Wilmington, DE]
Artillery Major. Received Army Commendation Medal.

NELSON FIGUERAS LOCAMBIO (Edison, NJ)
[Florida City - foster home in WA]
Served in US Navy 1972-1976


RAÚL E. FIGUEROA BENÍTEZ (TN)
[Matecumbe - foster homes in Miami and Sarasota]
USMC 4 years active (including 13 months in Vietnam) 
2 years inactive

MARIO JOSÉ GALLIANO ÁLVAREZ                        [DECEASED]
CWB 08/61 - 
US Navy veteran 1972-

ÁLVARO R. GARCÍA “El Profesor” (Miami, FL)
[went with family in Miami – Villa Virgen del Cobre, Albuquerque, NM]
US Army, Korea.  
[ÁLVARO lost his son Julio on September 6, 2006 in Basrah, Iraq.]

ANDRÉS F. GARCÍA TAMARGO (Miami, FL)
Opa Locka (5/17/62 - ) - with aunt in Miami (1962-1964) 
Army 1968-1970. Including time in Vietnam

JOSÉ GARCÍA SANSARIEQ "Katanga" (Dominican Republic)  [DECEASED]
Matecumbe 03/62 - Lincoln, NE
Army Veteran

ROBERTO M. GARCÍA PÉREZ
(Coventry, CT)
[Kendall – Green Bay, WI]
Joined the USAF in 1968. He retired as a Chief Master Sergeant in 1989.

ANTONIO GÓMEZ FERNÁNDEZ (Austin, TX)
[Matecumbe – Villa Virgen del Cobre, Albuquerque, NM]
US Army, 2/68-2/70

EVELIO ALFREDO GÓMEZ FERNÁNDEZ (Eastwood, MI)       [DECEASED]
(10/25/47 - 08/19/70)        
Matecumbe 3/62 - )
US Army Veteran - PFC Co. K, 75th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division. (Rangers)
Died in action of small arms wounds in Binh Dinh, Vietnam.
Five medals:
Combat Infantryman Badge - Purple Heart - National Defense Service Medal - Vietnam Service Medal - Vietnam Campaign Medal.
His name is found at the Vietnam Veterans Memory Wall - Panel W8, Line 124.

VALENTÍN GÓMEZ NOGUERAS (Jacksonville, FL)                [DECEASED]
(1/8/62) Miami - Mariana Home, Wichita, KS
US Army veteran

CARLOS MANUEL GONZÁLEZ PUJOL
[Matecumbe – foster home in Portland, OR]
US Army – Vietnam & Desert Storm.
Attained rank of Major in the Combat Military Police.

JULIO GONZALEZ MEMBIELA “El Delincuente” (Hawthorne, CA)
[Matecumbe – Cristo Rey, Lincoln, NE]
Air Cavalry, Vietnam  

RAÚL GONZÁLEZ CASALS
(3/16/62) went with aunt in Miami - Chicago, IL 
Army sevice in Vietnam 1969

RAMÓN J. GORDILLO ROMERO (Pembroke Pines, FL)
{Matecumbe – Opa Locka]
US Army & Vietnam Veteran.
US. Army at home: 8/05/66 - 11/09/1967
US Army in Germany: 9/11/1967 - 10/19/1969
US Army in Vietnam: 10/19/1969 - 8/25/1970
Texas Army National Guard: 1972 - 1977.
[see CAREERS IN MEDICINE also] 

WILSON GUTIÉRREZ GONZÁLEZ  (Valdosta, GA)
[Matecumbe - St. Edward's, Austin, TX]
Vietnam veteran (1966-1968)

JOSÉ ÁNGEL INFIESTA FERNÁNDEZ                                [DECEASED]
Vietnam Veteran
Army Sergeant, Meritorious service medals.

 
ÁNGEL JIMÉNEZ GONZÁLEZ   
(Miami, FL)
[Matecumbe-Kendall-Opa Locka]
US Army. Two tours in Vietnam .


JOSÉ JIMÉNEZ BASULTO
[went with aunt - Matecumbe - Florida City]
US Navy. Retired with a Commander rank.

MANUEL E. JIMÉNEZ RODRÍGUEZ (Guaynabo, PR)
[Matecumbe - Ft. Knox]
Volunteered during October Crisis. Pilot Instructor.

REGNIER A. JURADO LAVASTIDA                                [DECEASED]
[Matecumbe -  ]
US Army veteran


JOSÉ LAGE VÁZQUEZ "La Gula" (Los Angeles, CA)           [DECEASED]
[Mendigutía - 
US Army

MARIO LANGE ACOSTA                                                [DECEASED]
[Matecumbe - foster home in Superior, WI]
US Army
Died in base accident.
SECOND YOUNGEST PP TO DIE AT 20 YRS. 7 MONTHS OF AGE

MIGUEL CÉSAR LEORZA FERNÁNDEZ “Ladilla”
[Matecumbe – Camp San Pedro, Orlando, FL]
US Navy, retired as a high-ranking officer.

ENRIQUE R. LLANIO OLIVERA (Burbank, CA)
[Familia – Opa Locka – Casa Carrión]
Army veteran, 1966-1968 in Fort Bragg, SC.  

PEDRO MANUEL LLANIO MARTÍNEZ - Miami, FL              DECEASED
Miami 7/61
US Army veteran

CARLOS LLERA DIAZ “El Buitre” (IN)
[Matecumbe -  ]
US Army Veteran.

VIDAL LÓPEZ TORRES (Albuquerque, NM)
[Matecumbe - foster home in ALbuquerque, NM]

Vietnam. Sergeant.

EDUARDO A. MACAYA ÁLVAREZ 
(Hialeah, FL)
[Florida City - Matecumbe - Opa Locka]
US Army Vietnam vet 1969-1972

CARLOS MAYANS MULKAY
(Wichita, KS)
(Matecumbe - Mariana Home, Wichita, KS)
Medic in the US Army.

MIGUEL ANGEL DIEGO MONGEOTTI HERNÁNDEZ (Miami, FL)
[went with family in NJ]
US Army 2 years and 4 years in the Reserves.

FERNANDO NARCIANDI ZEQUEIRA "Abuelo" (Miami, FL)
[Kendall – Matecumbe – Spokane, WA]
Vietnam veteran.

FEDERICO ODOARDO FORTÚN “Corte-circuito”
[Casa Carrión - ]
US Army. Two tours in Vietnam .

RENÉ JULIÁN OJEDA
“El Mayor” (Lincoln, NE)
[Matecumbe – Cristo Rey, Lincoln, NE]
US Army 1969-1971.

LUIS MIGUEL PADRÓN MENDOZA (Elgin, IL)
[Matecumbe – Foster home in Park Ridge, IL]
US Army 1966-1968

JORGE J. PÉREZ MENÉNDEZ (Miami, FL)
[Matecumbe-Kendall-Opa Locka-Helena, MT]
US Army 1968-1970

LUIS PÉREZ BARRIOS (CA)
[9/61 Miami]
US Army Vietnam volunteer.

NARCISO PÉREZ CAUREL (Miami, FL)
[Kendall - Opa Locka - Brondell Hall, Helena, MT]
US Army

AMAURY PI GONZÁLEZ (Fremont, CA)
US Army, 1966-1968.

JOSÉ MANUEL PIS (DELGADO) BAUTA                                (DECEASED)
US Army


CÉSAR AUGUSTO E. PIZARRO
Miami 9/61 - Matecumbe
US Army

FRANCISCO EVELIO PRAT AENLLE  (Cedar Rapids, IO)           (DECEASED)
Miami 03/61
US Army 1965 - 1967


CARLOS A. PRENDES FERNÁNDEZ (Wichita, KS)                   (DECEASED)
[Kendall - Lincoln, NE]
MD
Navy Corpsman Vietnam veteran

JUAN F. PUJOL DE ARMAS (Miami, FL)
[Matecumbe - San Rafael - Opa Locka]
US Army Sergeant 5/66 to 5/68
30th MP Batallion of 6th Army at Presidio, San Francisco

ANTONIO RADELAT PÉREZ - Ft. Myers, FL                             (DECEASED)
(Maristas de Santa Clara - Kendall - Matecumbe - Marquette, MI)
Army Medic                                                               


HUMBERTO RAPADO GONZÁLEZ CAMERO (Oviedo, FL)
[Kendall – Mariana Children’s Home, Wichita, KS]
US Army Military Police Corps  1969-1971.
Specialist 4th Class
Fort Jackson , SC – Basic Training 1969
Fort Gordon , GA – MP Training 1969
236th MP Detachment, WRAMC, Washington, DC, 1969-1970
139th MP Company., Fort Benning , GA 1970-1971.

LUIS FRANK REYES VARGAS
(Miami, FL)
[Matecumbe - Kendall – Albuquerque , NM]
US Army (1966-1968)

ANTONIO R. RIVERA MARTÍNEZ (Kenner, LA)
[Florida City (3/6/62 - ) - Opa Locka - San Rafael (  -  6/66)]
Six years in the Marine Corps.
Six years in the US Coast Guard reserve. retired.

EDUARDO RODRÍGUEZ ROBLES "La Púa", "Elvis" (Seattle, WA)
[ went with family - Spokane. WA]
Vietnam veteran.

JAVIER RODRÍGUEZ MARÍN (Plantation, FL)
[Matecumbe - Wenatchee, WA]
Helicopter Pilot in Vietnam.

JORGE E. RODRÍGUEZ MENESES (Tampa, FL)
[went with aunt]
Joined the Army in 1973. Commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant at the Logistics Quartermaster Corps in Fort Benning, GA and put in 30 years. 
Retired as a full colonel.

JUSTO RODRÍGUEZ CASTAÑEDA
Matecumbe (9/6/62 - 10/62 ) - Kendall (10/62 -  ) - Opa Locka (62 - 8/64) - Helena, MT (8/28/64 - )
US Army 

OSVALDO ROIG RODRÍGUEZ  (KY)
[Matecumbe - St. Mary's School for Children, New Bedford, MA]
US Army

ALBERTO SALVADOR PIEDRA (Royal Palm Beach, FL)
[Camp Matecumbe – foster home in OH]
Vietnam veteran, wounded in service.

ELENA M. ( SÁNCHEZ NEGRETE) COATES 
Miami
Military Service

LUCIANO SÁNCHEZ "Lucky"
(Miami, FL)
[Miami - orphanage in Philadelphia]
Air Force pilot.

MARIO R. SÁNCHEZ LÓPEZ
[Florida CityMt. St. John Academy, Gladstone, NJ]
Marine Corps paratrooper.

DÁMASO V. SANTANA VEGA (Miami, FL)
[Matecumbe - Brondell Hall, Helena, MT]
US Army

FERNANDO V. SANTANA VEGA (NY)
[Matecumbe - Brondell Hall, Helena, MT]
US Army

Father ENRIQUE SERA HERNÁNDEZ (CA)
[Florida City -  ]
Navy Chaplain 1987-1999.
Highest permanent Rank: Lieutenant Commander.
Staff Officer: Chaplains Corps.
Stationed during his career in El Toro MCAS, Tustin MCAS, Camp Pendleton, San Diego Naval Station, NCMB-16 Los Alamitos, Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico (during Desert Storm), Rodman Naval Station in the Panama Canal Zone, Charleston Naval Hospital in SC and Long Beach Naval Hospital.

EFRAÍN SORA GONZÁLEZ (West Dade, FL)
[Kendall - St. Anthony's orphanage in Sioux City, IOI]
Military veteran with five years of service during the Vietnam era.

OSCAR TORRES RAMOS (Miami, FL)
[
Kendall - St. Joseph Orphanage, Helena, MT] - foster home with the Bernardis in Whitefish, MT
US Army - served 2 years in Vietnam

DANIEL TRUJILLO HERRERA 
[ Mendigutía - 
US Army - served in Fairbanks, AK

RAÚL VEGUEZ PÉREZ (CA)
[Matecumbe - Villa Virgen del Cobre, Albuquerque, NM]
US Army.

JORGE LUIS VILLAMIL ECHEMENDÍA (Miami, FL)
[Florida City - foster home in Albuquerque, NM]
Veteran.

MANUEL D. ZAYAS ZAYAS                                                [DECEASED]
[Matecumbe - IN]
Did two tours of Vietnam and received two purple hearts. 

  AS FAR AS IS CURRENTLY KNOWN, ONLY TWO OF THESE VETERANS DIED IN COMBAT, 

ADOLFO ESTRADA REYES.   [06/16/48 - 12/03/68)

EVELIO GÓMEZ FERNÁNDEZ [10/25/47 - 08/19/70]

 

 

 

 

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

                   4. CAREERS IN EDUCATION.

Civilized societies rely on Educators to produce better citizens. The work of Educators is extremely difficult because they have to contend against two powerful enemies; the inherited archaic customs of some of the parents and the natural rebelliousness of the students. 
Teachers may arrive armed with the latest knowledge available, but it depends entirely on their personal moral honesty how well they "educate". 
The result is the Future.

   JOSÉ AZEL SALOMO – Miami, FL  
(went with brother in Miami 7/61)
Adjunct Professor of International Business at the School of Business Administration at the University of Miami . Senior Research Associate at the Institute for Cuban and Cuban-American Studies at the U of M.

  ÁGUEDA “AGGIE” (BARQUET) CHEVIN – Normandie , FRANCE
(Florida City – St. Anthony’s Villa orphanage in Toledo , OH
Teacher.

   MANUEL " MANNY" BAZO CAPOTE – Boca Raton, FL. 
(Florida City -  )
Music Teacher and cellist.
Northwestern University.
Bachelor's Degree in Performance from the University of Miami.
Master of Music Degree in Music Education from Boston University (2009)
Has taught cello and chamber music at the New World School of the Arts and at Miami- Dade Community College.
Since 2010, Administrative Assistant at Lynn University's Conservatory of Music.
Band and Orchestra Director at American Heritage School of Boca/Delray
Music Director of the Youth Orchestra of Palm Beach
Member of the Board of Directors of the League of American Orchestras' Youth Orchestra Division.
Principal Cellist of the Boca Pops and the Miami City Ballet Orchestras.

  MARÍA C. BRITO GONZÁLEZ – Miami , FL
(Kendall [8/61] - went with friends to Hialeah.

Adjunct Professor of Fine Arts at Barry College.

  ROBERTO G. BRITO SANTALÓ
(Matecumbe – Hoosier Boystown, Schererville, IN)
Elementary High School Teacher.
Adjunct University Professor.

   ZENAIDA H. (BUSTILLO BRIZUELA) SCHMIDT - Kansas City, MO 
(Kendall - Florida City - Stella Niagara Seminary, Niagara Falls, NY)
Involved in Education for 33 years
Spanish Teacher - Assistant Principal - Principal - Director of Bilingual Student Services
Retired in 2007


   EVALDO CABARROUY DEL VALLE (DECEASED) – Puerto Rico
(Kendall – foster home in Albuquerque, NM)
University Teacher, Doctorate from Austin , TX .

  RAÚL CANO CHAUVELL – CA
(Matecumbe  - Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA)
CAL Poly Professor

  LECIO A. CASOLA Gómez – Lansing , MI
(Matecumbe [2/62] - St. Vincent’s Home for Orphans, East Lansing , MI )
Teacher (Retired)

  OFELIA M. COLUNGA – Miami Beach, FL
(Kendall – Florida City [Pérez-Martin Home]
UF, FIU & Barry College Teacher (retired)

  ALICIA (CRUZ RIVERO) REILLY
(Florida City – foster home in Helena, MT)
French, Latin & Spanish teacher.

   CÉSAR D. DE LA GUARDIA ARIAS - Ft. Wayne, IN
(Maristas de Rancho Boyeros - Matecumbe - St. Vincent's Villa, Ft. Wayne, IN)
Retired Teacher.
  


  ROSA “Juana” (DE LA OSA) MANNING –
Weston, FL
(Kendall – David City, NE) 
ESOL Teacher.

  ESTELA (DE MIRANDA-ZALDÍVAR) BUENO – Torrance, CA
(Florida City – foster home in Van Nuys, CA
Elementary School Teacher

  NORMA DELGADO RODRÍGUEZ – Key Biscayne, FL
(went with aunt in Miami)
Nova Southeastern Teacher (Retired)

  CONCEPCIÓN (DÍAZ) MORGAN – Minneapolis, MN
(Florida City – David City, NE) 
Teacher (Retired)

  CARLOS EIRE [CARLOS M. NIETO EIRE] – Guilford , CT
(Florida City - foster home in Miami - group home - went with uncle to IL) 
T. Lawrasson Riggs Professor of History and Religious Studies at Yale University . Successful fiction and historical writer.

  ESPERANZA MARTA ESCOBAR MARTÍNEZ – Guaynabo, Puerto Rico
(Went with family) 
Teacher

  Sister LEONOR ESNARD – Miami , FL
(
Kendall 9/61 - )  
Assistant Professor of Montessori Education.

  LAURA ELENA (FERNÁNDEZ SOSA) YARIZADEH – Maitland , FL
(Florida City/Homestead – went with family) 
Substitute Teacher.

   ANTONIO A. FERNÁNDEZ VÁZQUEZ - VA
(CWS - foster home in St. Petersburg, FL)
Doctorate from the University of Kentucky
Professor at University of Virginia since 1978

  SERGIO M. FERNÁNDEZ GARCÍA – Westphalia , MO
(with aunt in Miami Peoria , IL )
Teacher. Doctorate in Counselor Psychology

  PEDRO FERREIRA GARCÍA – Wilmington, DE
(Matecumbe – Casa de Sallies, Wilmington, DE)
Masters in Education from University of Delaware .
PhD in Counselor Psychology from Temple U, Philadelphia , PA  


   HÉCTOR R. GARCÍA PÉREZ -
Middletown, DE
(Matecumbe - Casa de Sallies, Wilmington, DE) 
Special Education High School Teacher (after retiring from Newspaper Management)


   LUIS GARCÍA MENÉNDEZ “Nene” –
NJ 
(Florida City – Mariana Home, Wichita, KS)
College Professor & Dean at Rutgers University

  PEDRO ENRIQUE GARCÍA PRIETO – Nashville, TN 
(Matecumbe –   )
Director of Metro Schools

  LOURDES GIL – NY. 
Professor of Latin American and Caribbean Studies at at Baruch College, NY

  MARAY (GIL) STOWELL – CA 
(Florida City – Villa María, San Antonio, TX)
High School Counselor (retired)  

   ELOY R. GONZÁLEZ ARGUELLES - WA
(Kendall -  )
Professor of Spanish at the Department of Foreign Languages and Cultures of Washington State University in Pullman, WA

  FLORA (GONZÁLEZ) MANDRÍ – Boston, MA
(Kendall – Ukiah, CA)
Professor of Literature at Boston University and published author.

  LILIA OBDULIA (GONZÁLEZ) SADOUX – Marietta, GA
(Mount St. John Academy in Gladstone, NJ – adoptive family)
Spanish Teacher

  MARÍA LUISA (GUTIÉRREZ) DeZURIK – St. Paul, MN       DECEASED
(Went with uncle and family in Hialeah)
Bilingual Education Teacher and Administrator

   ARSENIO HERNÁNDEZ CUERVO-ARANGO
(Went with family fiend in miami - went with aunt to Merlin, OR)
Teacher and Education Administrator.

   FERNANDO 'Fernán' HERNÁNDEZ LORENZO - Miami, FL
(Went with cousin in Miami [7/62-4/63) - went with aunt in NY (4/63-1967)]
M.S. and Masters in Management at St. Thomas University (1998-2000)
Adjunct Professor at Carlos Albizu University 2001-2011
Business Lead Instructor at Everest Institute 2007-2014
Faculty member at College of Business and Technology, Miami, FL 2014 to present
Financial Education Specialist at the International Rescue Committee 2015 to present
Match Grant Job Developer at World Relief Miami/Ft. Lauderdale Area 2015 to present

   LUIS HERNÁNDEZ LORENZO - Miami, FL
(went with cousin in Miami)
MA in Bilingual/Multicultural Education from University of San Francisco
Early Childhood Education Specialist with TTAS - Western Kentucky University

  ROSA (HONG PON) MORLEY – Incline Village, NV
(Florida City – Clinton, IO)
High School Teacher, Principal and Administrator (Retired)

  RAFAEL ITURRALDE BOSQUE – Milwaukee, WI  
(went with family - St. Joseph's Home for Children, Green Bay, WI)
Spanish High School
Teacher

  MAGALI JEREZ TRUJILLO – Union City, NJ  
(Kendall [8/61] – Holy Family Academy,  Beaverville, IL)
College Professor, co-authored 5 books, cassettes and CDs on Teaching Spanish at College Level. 

   MARCOS KERBEL - Miami, FL
(Vista del Mar Child Care, LA, CA - foster homes in CA)
Degrees as MBA, CPA, CFP
Adjunct Professor of Finance at FIU, Miami-Dade.

  EVELIO RAMÓN LEÓN “Pucho” – Los Angeles, CA
(Matecumbe – Indianapolis, IN
High School Assistant Principal

  ROSARIO (LESCURA) BAGLEY “Rose” – Miami, FL
(Casa Carrión – foster home in West Orange, NJ)
Elementary School Teacher

  MIGUEL LEY CHAUMIER
(
Matecumbe 9/62 -  )
High School teacher and assistant principal for 41 years.

 MARÍA TERESA (MARQUÉS VIGNIER) VÉLEZ – Tucson, AZ 
(Florida City - foster home in Albuquerque, NM)
Associate Dean of Graduate College, University of Arizona
Director of University of Arizona's Latin American Research Program, founded in 2007 in partnership with the Universidad de Guanajuato in México.
 

  AVELINA (MARRERO FIANDOR) RECIO – CA
(Florida City 5/12  - )
Elementary Education teacher since 1992 as a second career.


   ALDO DE JESÚS MARTÍNEZ PAZ - Hillsborough, NJ
(Florida City - orphanage and foster home in NJ)
Attorney. Adjunct Professor at St. Peter's College, Jersey City, NJ

   GRACIELA (MÉNDEZ) ANNRICH - Miami, FL
(Kendall - House of Providence orphanage, Syracuse, NY)
PhD in Spanish Linguistics from Georgetown University, Wash, DC
Teaches at Miami Dade College Interamerican Campus.

  LÁZARO ROBERTO MESA “Zapatón” – Miami, FL
(Matecumbe – Lincoln, NE
School Counselor

  LOURDES MONSERRAT
                   -
Foster home in Albuquerque, NM
Educator, expert in Latin American Studies

    JOSÉ RAUL MONTES SORI - Houston, TX
(went with uncle in Miami)
Chemical Engineer, Caltech, Pomona, CA
Masters in Education, Administration and Supervision, University of Houston
HS Math Teacher

  JOSÉ ANTONIO NÚÑEZ CORDERO – Los Angeles, CA 
(Kendall -  )
History-Social Sciences Teacher for Business and Finance Academy SLC & UTLA Chapter Chair Edward. R Roybal Learning Center, LAUSD-LD4

  ANA (PAZOS CASTILLO) MANNING – Lakeland , FL
(Went with friends) 
High School Teacher (Retired)

   FRANCISCO C. PÉREZ GARCÍA - NJ
La Salle de Palatino 1955-1961
(Matecumbe [2/26/62 - 4/11/62] - Sacred Heart Orphanage, Kearney, NJ - 2 other orphanages - 3 foster homes)
Holds BA, MA/M. Ed. & E. Ds. degrees 
Holds several administrative licenses including that of Chief School Administrator (Superintendent of Schools)
Retired NJ District School Adminstrator after 41 years of service.


   DELIA C. (PIQUERO GÓMEZ) GONZÁLEZ -
Richland, WA
(Florida City - foster home in Wichita, KS)
Spanish Teacher. On her 42nd year of teaching in 2011.  

  HÉCTOR L. RODRÍGUEZ ECHERRI “Dino” – Hollywood, FL
(Matecumbe – Cristo Rey, Lincoln, NE
Teacher

  LUIS JOSÉ RODRÍGUEZ CABRERA - West Pala Beach, Fl
(Matecumbe - Opa Locka - Ft. Wayne, IN)
Graduate of St. Francis College, Brooklyn, NY.
High School teacher for 4 years.
Also served 30 years in the Palm Beach County Police Department.

  GLORIA ROJAS REYES
(    - foster home in Albuquerque, NM)
Teacher with 2 Master's degrees

  MARÍA CRISTINA (ROMERO) HALLORAN “Palillo”, “Jirafa” – Denver, CO
( Florida City – Queen of Heaven, Denver, CO) 
Double Masters in Human Relations and Management.
College English Professor

  CARLOS G. ROSELLÓ “El Trompetero” [DECEASED]– Boynton Beach, FL
(Matecumbe – St. Thomas Orphanage, Lincoln, NE)
Educator. High School Principal & Area Director of County Schools.

  CARLOS RUBIO ALBET – West Virginia  
(went with family friends in Miami - Casa de Sallies, Wilmington, DE)
Shepherd University
Professor. 
Published author in Spanish and English.

  EMILIO SÁNCHEZ PRADO – Ozona, FL
(Foster home in St. Petersburg, FL
Assistant Principal

   MARIO R. SÁNCHEZ LÓPEZ - FL

(Florida City - Mount St. John's Academy, Gladstone, NJ)
Professor at Miami Dade College

  NICOLÁS SÁNCHEZ – Framingham , MA
Doctorate in Economics from University of Southern California
Has taught Economics at the College of Holy Cross in Worcester, MA for 32 years (2009). Tried for State rep early in the 2000s.

   VICENTE SIMANCA ÁLVAREZ - Miami, FL                   {DECEASED}
(
Belén - Kendall (1/62) - Saint Vincent Orphanage, Denver, CO)
Teacher

   CARLOS M. TARACIDO, Phd. - Miami, FL
(Matecumbe 8/61 - Casa de Sallies, Wilmigton, DE)
College Professor and Author

   DOMINGO TRUJILLO BRIZUELA
(went with foster parents to Flossmoor, IL)
Retired from the Chicago Public School System

   NELSON P. VALDÉS LEIVA - NM
Instituto Edison - Kendall (4/61 - ) - foster home in Albuquerque, NM (6/2/61 - )
One of the "volunteers" who helped clean up and prepare Camp Matecumbe for us!!!!!
Graduado con un doctorado en Sociología e Historia en 1978. 
Professor in Spring 1973 at University of Glasgow, Scotland in Latin American program. 
1973-1976 profesor de Historia, University of New Orleans, Louisiana.
1976-2002 profesor de Sociologia, University of New Mexico; fundador y director del primer banco de datos computarizado sobre América Latina - Latin America Data Base. Financiado por US federal government y por fundaciones McArthur, Ford, Tinker.
2003-2004 director Fundación Amistad, y profesor de Sociología en Duke University.
2004-2008 profesor de Sociología, University of New Mexico
2008 retirado de UNM.
2009 fundador de un banco de datos sobre políticas de energía en América Latina: Energaia-L (dejó de funcionar después que me retiré - Nelson)

  RICARDO VIERA RAMOS – PA
(Matecumbe -  ) Professor in the Art and Architecture Department of Lehigh University , Bethlehem , PA.  

MARÍA (VIDAL TRUJILLO) HAYMES
Florida City? - Lincoln, NE
PhD professor and Loyola University Faculty Scholar

  ROBERTO VILLASANTE GARCÍA – Miami, FL  
(went with family friends in Miami)
Adjunct Professor at Florida International University’s College of Advanced Professional Studies and of FIU’s Legal Studies Institute. 
Member of the Florida Bar and of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America .
Website at www.villasantelaw.com

 

 

 

 

 

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                                   5. CLERGY.

Although perhaps listed here last, these individuals are by no means the least important of our Pedro Pan brethren. They are in fact, the most important because Catholic priests have the UNIQUE power of being the earthly vessel for the forgiveness of our sins, and for consecrating for our use the Bread of Life.

   EDUARDO ÁLVAREZ HIDALGO
Camp San Pedro, Maitland, FL 
Priest.

   RICARDO C. CASTELLANOS PÉREZ
Camp San Pedro, Maitland, FL
Priest

   OCTAVIO CISNEROS LEZCANO Brooklyn, NY  
(Kendall (10/61 - ) - Marquette, MI)
Auxiliary Bishop in the Diocese of Brooklyn , June 2006.

   JOSÉ A. ESPINO GONZÁLEZ
 (8/61) Miami
Sacerdote

  FELIPE DE JESÚS ESTÉVEZ Miami, FL 
(Kendall 7/61 - )  - (orphanage in Ft. Wayne, IN)  
Ordained to the priesthood in 1970.
Doctorate from Gregorian University in Rome.
Fluent in English, Spanish, French and Italian.
Auxiliary
Bishop of the Diocese of Miami (2003-2010)
Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Miami (2010-2011)
Bishop of the Diocese of St. Augustine (2011 -  

    ALEX FOYO TRIGO  - FL                                                   DECEASED
nka Fr. ALexis OSB
(
Florida City 4/62 - )
Joined St. Leo's Abbey in St. Leo, FL in 1976
Graduated from St. Anselm Abbey College in Manchester, NH
St. Vincent Seminary, Latrobe, PA

  JAVIER LÓPEZ MUÑOZ Vatican City, Rome, ITALY
(Matecumbe – Whitehall, FL) 
Jesuit Priest

  JUAN MÉNDEZ FERNÁNDEZ - NM  
(Maristas de la Víbora - Matecumbe - Villa Virgen del Cobre, Albuquerque, NM) 
Priest.  

Sacerdote en la Arquidiócesis de Santa Fe, NM
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church

   PEDRO NÚÑEZ GARRIDO 
(Matecumbe 9/62 - Aguirre Foster Home, LA)
Priest

   ALBERTO RODRÍGUEZ LÓPEZ - Miami, FL
(Kendall - San Rafael)
Priest.

  ALEJANDRO ROQUE GONZÁLEZ Miami , FL.
(Florida City 4/62 - ) 
Pastor at St. Stephen’s Parish in Miramar OMI

  CARLOS LUIS ROZAS DÍAZ
Kendall (7/17/61 - ) - St. Vincent;s Villa, Ft. Wayne, IN             DECEASED
First Cuban or South American Pastor in Ft. Wayne/So. Bend Diocesis.

  FERNANDO RUBIO BOITEL 
(Matecumbe – Villa Virgen del Cobre, Albuquerque, NM
Priest

  ENRIQUE J. SERA HERNÁNDEZ CA 
Florida City (5/62 - 8/62) –  foster homes in Ellensburg & Yakima, WA 
Priest. Navy Chaplain.

  PABLO URQUIAGA FERNÁNDEZ 
(Matecumbe – Whitehall, FL
Jesuit Priest

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This Section was last updated on 12/08/22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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