Last weeks 20th anniversary of operation just cause came and went with little fanfare by Panamanians. For many it was a painful reminder of something they would like to forget. But there are many Panamanians who risked it all to have Noriega over throne in order to restore freedom to the country. Some paid the ultimate price and others nearly so. As I hear some bemoan the U.S. for what it did that December in 1989, I wonder where Panama would be if they had not. Would there be a democracy, freedom of the press, prosperity or would we be seeing regular photo ops of Noriega with Chavez, Ortega, Castro and the like.
I was honored last year to have Kurt Muse, a Panamanian/US citizen, as a special mystery guest here in Valle Escondido. He shared his incredible story of capture and incarceration at the hands of Noriega and his thugs. You can read his story in his spellbinding book, "Six minutes to freedom".
Now Kurt has received high honor from the U.S. Army’s Freedom Team Salute Commendation for
helping to overthrow Panamanian General Manuel Noriega.
Muse, an Army Veteran, operated a bandit radio station in Panama that broadcast messages of freedom to the Panamanian people. He was arrested and imprisoned for nine months.
The radio station, called Voice of Liberty, encouraged Panamanians to vote Noriega out of office. “We beseech you to vote,” one broadcast explained. “Together we can bury General Noriega’s dictatorship under a mountain of ballots.”
Twenty years ago on December 20, 1989, the U.S. Military launched Operation Just Cause, the liberation of Panama, involving the largest parachute combat jump since WWII and the largest military action following Vietnam. One of the initial actions involved freeing Muse.
Army Delta Force Soldiers landed by helicopter on the roof of Muse's prison and neutralized the guards. Next they blew the lock off Muse's cell and escorted him to the helicopter. Upon their departure, their aircraft took fire and eventually crashed. Soon an armored vehicle arrived and whisked Muse and his rescuers to safety. Muse was back in the United States in time to celebrate Christmas with his family.
“Kurt Muse is a patriot,” said Colonel David Griffith, the Director of Freedom Team Salute. “It is a privilege to be able to honor him for the sacrifices he made in the name of freedom.”
Freedom Team Salute is a Secretary of the Army and Army Chief of Staff program that gives anyone the opportunity to say “Thank You” to discharged Army Veterans or civilians who provide support to Soldiers. It also gives Soldiers the opportunity to honor their parents, spouse and other family members for their sacrifice and support. Further, National Guard and Reserve Soldiers can honor their employers. The Freedom Team Salute Commendation consists of Certificate of Appreciation and Letter of Thanks signed by the Secretary of the Army and Army Chief of Staff and a customized Army Lapel pin.
For more information about Freedom Team Salute and honoring Veterans or Civilians, go to www.freedomteamsalute.com.
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