Chiriquí Chatter

Contrary to the title, this really isn’t another post about eating. Well, maybe only a little.

A Chiriquí Chatter reader had contacted me from the US and said he was going to be in David and would like to meet me for lunch while he was here. After arriving, in David, he called me and we set Friday as the day and La Tipica as the location. We had a little rain, prior to lunch time, and La Tipica was nice and cool.

I arrived about five minutes before the designated time and found Alberto waiting. I always enjoy getting to meet some of the visitors to Chiriquí Chatter. Alberto is a Chiricano, who now lives in Cleveland, Ohio. Like most people, that leave their home of origin, he still has strong feelings about his roots.

He had left Chiriquí when he was about 16, if I remember correctly, and had moved to the US. He commented that he had lived in the US long enough that culture of “mañana” was now foreign to him. His mother had recently moved back to David and he was here helping her to get settled.

Alberto is a Colonel in the US military and really a fine example of the diversity that embodies that institution. He had a strong handshake, that even my dad would have been proud of. He spoke honestly and looked you directly in the eye, when doing so. He said he was “honored” to get to meet me and say “thanks” for bringing Chiriquí to him in the US.

However, the truth is that I was the privileged one. Albero has had two tours of duty in Iraq. He spoke of how much good has been done there, but how the typical press only writes of the negative side. While, I am sure he carries a lot of repressed thoughts of his time in Iraq, he doesn’t let it affect his positive outlook on life, and is a pleasure to be around.

We enjoyed out meal and lite conversation. He showed me his photos of his wife and two children. His wife was a beautiful lady from Puerto Rico and his two children stood proud and tall in the photos. He said that, when his career in the military was over, he wanted to enter civilian life for a few years and eventually retire back in his place of birth, Chiriquí, Panama.

Alberto, thanks for the opportunity for me to get to know you. Thank you for the service that you have given to the US and to the world. If I am still here, when you return to Panama to retire, I want to be one of the first to welcome you home.

UPDATE: The same day I received the comment below, from Alberto’s wife, Maria, I also received a very nice email from Alberto’s sister, Neyza. One of the things you find when you come to Panama is how important family is. I hope Neyza won’t mind my sharing her email with you.

Mr. Ray.

I am so glad you had the opportunity to meet my brother, Alberto, in October. He has been an outstanding role model to both my sister and I, and, as a family, we are extremely proud of him.

My brother’s kids are great. My niece gets straight A’s and my nephew can really throw a ball (and he gets good grades). My sister-in-law held down the fort while my brother was serving his country, and she kept the home fires burning.

I am not sure if he mentioned this, but Alberto received the Bronze star for his duty in Iraq.

My mom and dad were perfect examples of what the American dream was. My dad never called in sick to work and retired as a master tool and die designer. My mom worked full-time, went to school, and eventually retired from BP Oil as a senior financial analyst. She was with the same company for 30+ years. My sister is a pediatrician and I have a degree in finance and work as an analyst. My brother held down a full-time job and attended school full-time. He studied like you wouldn’t believe. He even managed to run a marathon at one point.

I hope to meet you when my husband and I visit my mom in Chiriquí. Thank you for meeting with my brother. He is the best.

Thanks and take care.

Neyza

Of course, Alberto didn’t mention the Bronze Star. I am happy that Neyza shared that with me, so that I can share it with you. She also mentioned Maria’s “holding down the fort” while Alberto was in Iraq. Too often, we neglect saying thanks to the husband or wife of a service person. So before I end this update, I would like to personally thank Maria for the support that she provided Alberto and for providing the inspiration for him to come home safely.

Tags: People, Restaurants