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Courtesy Flags

Curtesy flags in Panama Canal during Cold War era

Curtesy flags in Panama Canal during Cold War era

At one time I lived in the Canal Zone. This is the area of (then) U. S. territory that surrounds the Panama Canal, (or as Zonians called it "The American Canal in Panama"). This was back in the days when the world was clearly divided into East & West. It was humorous to watch ships come through the canal. Without looking at the ensign you could tell if it was a ship from and Eastern or Western country by the courtesy flag flown. Western countries flew the United States flag as a courtesy, Eastern countries flew the Panamanian.

Nathan Bliss 13-JUN-1996