Dear Pedro Pan Family:

Carmageddon – shmarmageddon!

Not even the closing down of a major Freeway in Los Angeles could keep away 300 Pedro Pan, family and friends from gathering together at Hacienda Don Francisco on a cool early autumn morning surrounded by the purple majesty of the San Gabriel Mountains. This is the magnificent setting at the Gaviña Family Ranch for the seventh annual reunion of the Cuban Kids from the 60’s Exodus.

A splendid afternoon to catch up with old friends, meet new ones, and partake in the activities throughout the day, enhanced by the picturesque Southern California setting and the magnanimous hospitality of the Gaviña family.

No to be missed was the varied selection of pastelitos, empanadas, guayaba con queso, and delicious deserts, which complemented the delicious Cuban cuisine prepared by master chef Tony Hernandez and his crew. Outstanding!

After the benediction by Diana Zuazola the festivities were initiated with the introduction of the Gaviña family. Pedro, Jose, and Paco Gaviña took a few moments to extend to everyone the hospitality and a warm welcome on behalf of the Gaviña family.

Afterwards we took a few moments to thank the many local businesses who contribute to the Pedro Pan reunions every year.  Their involvement is one of the reasons our reunions are great success year after year.

This year we were blessed and honored by having six Pedro Pan mothers in attendance.

The tradition of the Cuban Kids Pedro Pan reunion and the highlight of every event are the Pedro Pan introductions by Oscar Pichardo. The total number of 43 Pedro Pan includes four who were attending for the first time: Adriana Curi-Gruber, Eduardo Yanez, Humberto Perez, and Jose Montes all the way from Houston Texas. The Pedro Pan family drew together to lend support as they introduced themselves to the Pedro Pan family, a part of the healing process when we share our personal experiences as Pedro Pan with our brothers and sisters.

The closing challenge as always is to get all the Pedro Pan gathered as a group in front the palm tree to take the Pedro Pan group picture. I’m happy to report that once again the Pedro Pan rose to the challenge and the picture taken!

Links to the pictures and videos of our event which our webmaster extraordinaire Arturo Bueno has prepared for our enjoyment will be sent via separate email. You can also check out the pictures and the video posted on our web site www.cubankids1960.com under the September 29, 2012 tab on the left margin of our homepage.

It takes the contribution of many to pull off an event like this. Special thanks to Arturo Guzman, Raul Veguez, Frank and Maria Aparicio, and Maricela Perez who came early and stayed late, and to Manolito, our honorary Pedro Pan, and crew and everyone out there who worked so hard to make this event an unqualified success!

Cuban Kids from the 60’s Exodus would like to thank you for attending our Pedro Pan of California celebration of family and friends. We look forward to seeing all of you at our next event. Do join us. Who knows - you may reconnect with an old friend!

Dear Pedro Pan,

The purpose of this web page is to keep in touch with those individuals in California and other states who arrived in the USA through the Pedro Pan exodus from Cuba from 1960-1962.

This web site was created in 2005, and resulted in the first  successful event  to unite the Pedro Panes in California. We continue to be successful in our search for our brothers and sisters through these events.

Cuban Kids from the 60s Exodus Statement of Purpose

Provide a social setting where Pedro Pan can gather to share our unique life stories with our families and friends.

Locate and welcome other Pedro Pan, providing friendship and a supportive forum.

Demonstrate in action and words our gratitude to the United States for the gift of freedom and opportunity, while celebrating our rich Cuban American heritage.

Honor and remember the love and courage of our parents, remember Monsignor Bryan O. Walsh, and the many others who, with foresight and courage, risked their career and their lives for ours.