Pass the Panama Canal Zone Veterans Act
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Pass the Panama Canal Zone Veterans Act
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The PASS THE PANAMA CANAL ZONE VETERANS ACT website was developed to encourage others to speak out to Congress about the bill introduced in the 117th and 118th Congress, and to help get the bill passed. 


The PASS THE PANAMA CANAL ZONE VETERANS ACT website 

is a volunteer effort, but expenses are involved. Each challenge coin purchased allows the site to operate for almost one month.


CHALLENGE COIN

FRONT SIDE

    Challenge Coin DISTINGUISHED RECIPIENTS

    Rep. Maria Salazar (R-FL-27)

    Rep. Morgan Luttrell (R-TX-08)

    Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX-20)

    Sponsor of H. R. 2447

    Presented on 1/29/2024 during the Tiger Team Capitol Visit for her sponsorship of the bill and willingness to work with us

    Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX-20)

    Rep. Morgan Luttrell (R-TX-08)

    Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX-20)

    Original Cosponsor of H. R. 2447

    Presented on 1/30/2024 during the Tiger Team Capitol Visit for his sponsorship of the bill and willingness to work with us

    Rep. Morgan Luttrell (R-TX-08)

    Rep. Morgan Luttrell (R-TX-08)

    Rep. Morgan Luttrell (R-TX-08)

    Chairman of the Disability Subcommittee 

    Presented on 1/29/2024 during the Tiger Team Capitol Visit for discussing H. R. 2447 with us. 

    Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD-08)

    Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24)

    Rep. Morgan Luttrell (R-TX-08)

    Cosponsor of H. R. 2447

    Presented on 1/31/2024 during the Tiger Team Capitol Visit for his sponsorship and unwavering support of the bill

    Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24)

    Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24)

    Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24)

    Awarded on 2/13/2024 for his willingness to cosponsor H.R. 2447 and his service as a U.S. Marine

    I'm looking forward to receiving it. I sparingly collect challenge coins...they have to have some good meaning for me. I really like this one and all the symbolism. Thanks again!

    Xine Lgt

    THE ONLY PANAMA CANAL ZONE TOXIC EXPOSURE CHALLENGE COIN

    • This challenge coin is 1.75" tall, and 5mm thick, in shiny silver plating with colored enamel on each side as shown above. 


    • The coin is meant to subtly raise awareness of the use of toxic herbicides in the Canal Zone, and for the urgent need of the VA to recognize Canal Zone troops much like the PACT ACT did for our brothers and sisters operating in the Middle East and Asia.


    • The front side features a Spanish caravel similar to the U.S. Army South shoulder insignia, with a skull and crossbones on the topsail and text in black around the edge that reads "RUM AIN'T THE ONLY THING THAT ARRIVED IN BARRELS" -- a nod to the pirates that once prowled the waters bordering the isthmus.

      

    • The back side has a representation of the lid of an OD green drum of herbicides frequently used in the Canal Zone, including the bungs and markings.


    • Any Canal Zone veteran is sure to recognize the symbolism the coin represents. 


    • Sales of the coin help offset the expenses of this website. No refunds or returns, please.

     

    learn more about the symbolism on the coin

    The coins are great. I was hoping they would say Panama veterans exposed to agent orange!!! Thank you

    Mike S.

    THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

    Please use this form to order your challenge coins!

    This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

    • PayPal will send an invoice to the email address you provide.


    • Please email me for how to send payment via other methods.


    • Ships within the United States only. Small orders will ship via USPS First Class mail (small bubble wrap envelope, $6.10). Larger orders (that won't fit in the envelope) may ship via USPS Priority Mail (small box, $10.00). 


    • No returns or refunds, please.

    Pass the Panama Canal Zone Veterans Act

    Coppell, Texas, United States

    contact@PanamaVeterans.org

    SYMBOLISM

    Front Side

    The image depicted on the US ARMY SOUTH insignia is a Spanish caravel, which bore the red cross of the Order of Christ as many Spanish and Portuguese ships did. Columbus traveled along the north coast of modern-day Panama on his fourth voyage at the start of the 16th century. 


    A similar image of a caravel appears on the front of the coin, with the cross on the topsail replaced by a skull and red crossbones to vaguely mimic the cross, but represent the toxicity of the herbicides introduced along the Canal Zone.


    Testimony to the VA from a researcher at Fort Dietrich indicated that black barrels of Agent Orange were sent to Panama and left there. The wide orange band that appears behind the ship is also intended to represent the herbicides introduced along the Canal Zone.


    The text around the front of the coin is an homage to the history of the Caribbean Sea in particular. While it overtly refers to barrels of rum, which offers images of piracy (which occurred at the same time as Columbus' fourth expedition and for three centuries afterward) the phrase foreshadows the image on the reverse side.  

    Back Side

    The back side of the coin is a representation of the lid of an olive drab transportation drum of the same herbicide as was commonly applied to the Canal Zone. Customs documents record that barrels of herbicides were shipped to the isthmus from the United States since at least 1958.


    The artwork was inspired by images like this photo. Note that even the bungs have been reproduced on the coin. Legibility was a concern; reproducing a 2' lid as a 1.75" coin required some careful edits and emphasis to help convey the idea.

    Order now

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