Five things you may not know about Corozal American Cemetery
The American Battle Monuments Commission’s (ABMC) Corozal American Cemetery is located in Panama. But do you really know this ABMC site?
An ABMC site since 1982
The Torrijos-Carter Treaty established the Corozal American Cemetery in 1979, but ABMC started managing and maintaining it in 1982. However, Corozal American Cemetery used to be part of a larger cemetery known as the Corozal Cemetery, created in 1914.
Both the American and Panamanian flags permanently fly at Corozal American Cemetery, symbolizing the friendship and collaboration between the two nations.
Corozal American Cemetery is an active cemetery
The site currently holds approximately 5,600 headstones. However, this number continues to grow as it is only one of two ABMC cemeteries that still actively open to veterans for burials. In addition to veterans from all the U.S. armed conflicts, civilian Americans and allies who contributed to the building, operation and security of the Panama Canal also rest here forever.
However, many of the Americans buried at Corozal American Cemetery were previously buried at other locations in Panama, including the Flamenco Island and Mount Hope cemeteries. The U.S. government transferred those burials to Corozal American Cemetery upon their closures.
Official visits
Corozal American Cemetery has hosted many official visits. On Nov. 7, 2006, Corozal American Cemetery had the honor to welcome President George W. Bush and his wife. During their visit, they saluted the achievement and sacrifice of the U.S. armed forces and those allies who contributed to the construction, operation and security of the Panama Canal.
Joe Biden, the current U.S. president, also visited Corozal American Cemetery Nov. 19, 2013, when he was President Barack Obama’s vice-president.
Additionally, Corozal American Cemetery staff have welcomed various congressmen and senators over the years, as well as Secretary of the Navy, Carlos Del Toro, and a Supreme Court Justice, Sonia Sotomayor.
A broad range of conflicts
Corozal American Cemetery is the final resting place of service members from a broad range of conflicts. American servicemen and women who served during the construction of the Panama Canal, Mexican-American War, the Civil War, World War I, World War II and all other major conflicts that involved the U.S. are buried at this site.
Wildlife visitors
Panama normally has a nine-month-long rainy season with high temperatures and humidity. Since the rainforest surrounds Corozal American Cemetery, the site has constant visits from wild animals such as coatis, agoutis, armadillos, Northern tamanduas, coyotes, sloths, venomous snakes, iguanas, colorful frogs and many species of colorful birds like toucans, parrots, woodpeckers and hummingbirds. Some say they have even seen a black jaguar on site.
Corozal American Cemetery is the final resting place for approximately 5,600 American veterans and civilians. A small memorial sits atop a knoll overlooking the graves. The memorial consists of a paved plaza with a 12-foot rectangular granite obelisk flanked by two flagpoles on which fly both the U.S. and Panamanian flags.
The ABMC’s mission is to honor the service of the U.S. armed forces by creating and maintaining memorial sites, offering commemorative services, and facilitating the education of their legacy to future generations. It was founded in 1923 following World War I and its 26 cemeteries and 31 monuments honor the servicemen and women who fought and perished during World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, as well as some who fought during the Mexican-American War.
Sources:
Corozal American Cemetery’s team
Historical Services
ABMC documents, website and brochures