1986-1987 MEGA member, Gerald Hollenbeck was a DOS RSO in Panama City subsequent to his MSG tour

June 16:  Canal Zone Treaty Signing
Spokesman Review    
Chicago Tribune (Excerpt) President Carter leaves Friday for a two-day, state visit to Panama, where student rioting in opposition to the trip and the new Panama Canal treaties left two dead and nine wounded Wednesday night.

Friends of the Detachment: "Butch" (DOS Communications), Ernesto (has passed away), Barbara Johnson (our cook), Mamita (living in Florida), Neria.

Some of the detachment were invited to a barbeque with a family friend of  Neria...the Commander of Panamanian troops in the Canal Zone, Manuel Noriega. 

Canal Zone Talks     MSG Detachment supported talks, covered security at the Holiday Inn.  TDY Marines were brought in to cover the talks out at Contadora Island.  Embassy shut down during anti-US/pro-Cuban demonstrations. MSG's monitored from within embassy and from Marine house.  50,000 US troops 5 miles away in Canal Zone gave us a bit of confidence we could handle the situation.

Comments from Charlie Thomas (76-77) 01/03/2009:

I too remember the ID cards signed by Manuel Noriega.    The Marine Detachment was very close and shortly after I arrived we moved the Marine House next to the Restaurant Marbella on Ave. Balboa.   Cpl. Allen Becker had a pet osselot we called Ossie.   I also remember the day the Panama Canal Treaties were initialed at the Holiday Inn, Paitilla.   Ambassadors  Leno