July 7, 2016 – NY BCGM CEREMONY
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Sam Rodriguez, CEO of the Borinqueneers Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony National Committee.
Roger Hernandez, Jr. of the East Harlem Borinqueneers Honoring Committee shows the Proclamation from the New York City Council Office declaring a street in East Harlem to be named "Borinqueneers Way".
The Declaration is presented to Sam Rodriguez.
Sgt. Major Eric Hunt Benitez of the NY National Guard provides a brief history of the 65th Infantry Regiment accompanied by a short video courtesy of the American Veterans Center.
Dr. Jongwoo Han, President of the Korean War Legacy Foundation expresses the gratitude of the Korean people for the service of the Borinqueneers.
Dr. Han asks the veterans and their families to stand from their seats to be recognized by the audience. Left to right: Julio Padilla Vilanova, Ervin Machado and Luis Angel Boria.
Bob Seda stand with a photo of his father Miguel Angel Seda.
Borinqueneer Juan O'Neill stands to be recognized.
Dr. Han recounts how touched he was to receive a cash donation from Borinqueneer Alford Rodriguez Rivera of Puerto Rico (pictured behind him).
Dr. Harry Franqui Rivear introduces Noemi Figueroa Soulet, Producer of the documentary film "The Borinqueneers".
Noemi helped organize the Ceremony and thanked her volunteers and sponsors, as well the veterans and guests who attended.
Noemi begins the Ceremony by introducing each deceased veteran with a photo and short biography. The first veteran named is Jaime Lopez de Leon.
The presenters and volunteers are in place.
Raul Russi presents the medal and certificate to Ralph Chiesa, son of Rafael Chiesa, Jr.
Denise O'Neill accepts a Certificate on behalf of her grandfather, Jose O'Neill who served with the 65th Inf. Regt. during World War I.
Arnold Acevedo accepts the medal and certificate on behalf of his father, Abdon Acevedo Velez, who served in Co. "G" where he received the Purple Heart.
Ruben Acosta Ayala was killed in action while serving in Headquarters & Headquarters Co. where he received a Bronze Star for Meritorious Service and as Purple Heart. His 2nd cousin Eddie Acosta is accepting the medal and certificate.
SGM Eric Hunt Benitez represents his 2nd cousin, COL Enrique M. Benitez Rexach, who served with the 65th during World War I.
Dr. Harry Franqui Rivera accepts the medal and certificate on behalf of the family of Frank Bonilla who served Headquarters & Headquarters Co. during World War II.
The New York Borinqueneers Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony honored 56 living and deceased Borinqueneers at Hunter College in New York, NY. Photos courtesy of El Pozo Productions, Rob Figueroa Photography and William Cruz.
Sam Rodriguez, CEO of the Borinqueneers Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony National Committee.
Roger Hernandez, Jr. of the East Harlem Borinqueneers Honoring Committee shows the Proclamation from the New York City Council Office declaring a street in East Harlem to be named "Borinqueneers Way".
The Declaration is presented to Sam Rodriguez.
Sgt. Major Eric Hunt Benitez of the NY National Guard provides a brief history of the 65th Infantry Regiment accompanied by a short video courtesy of the American Veterans Center.
Dr. Jongwoo Han, President of the Korean War Legacy Foundation expresses the gratitude of the Korean people for the service of the Borinqueneers.
Dr. Han asks the veterans and their families to stand from their seats to be recognized by the audience. Left to right: Julio Padilla Vilanova, Ervin Machado and Luis Angel Boria.
Bob Seda stand with a photo of his father Miguel Angel Seda.
Borinqueneer Juan O'Neill stands to be recognized.
Dr. Han recounts how touched he was to receive a cash donation from Borinqueneer Alford Rodriguez Rivera of Puerto Rico (pictured behind him).
Dr. Harry Franqui Rivear introduces Noemi Figueroa Soulet, Producer of the documentary film "The Borinqueneers".
Noemi helped organize the Ceremony and thanked her volunteers and sponsors, as well the veterans and guests who attended.
Noemi begins the Ceremony by introducing each deceased veteran with a photo and short biography. The first veteran named is Jaime Lopez de Leon.
The presenters and volunteers are in place.
Raul Russi presents the medal and certificate to Ralph Chiesa, son of Rafael Chiesa, Jr.
Denise O'Neill accepts a Certificate on behalf of her grandfather, Jose O'Neill who served with the 65th Inf. Regt. during World War I.
Arnold Acevedo accepts the medal and certificate on behalf of his father, Abdon Acevedo Velez, who served in Co. "G" where he received the Purple Heart.
Ruben Acosta Ayala was killed in action while serving in Headquarters & Headquarters Co. where he received a Bronze Star for Meritorious Service and as Purple Heart. His 2nd cousin Eddie Acosta is accepting the medal and certificate.
SGM Eric Hunt Benitez represents his 2nd cousin, COL Enrique M. Benitez Rexach, who served with the 65th during World War I.
Dr. Harry Franqui Rivera accepts the medal and certificate on behalf of the family of Frank Bonilla who served Headquarters & Headquarters Co. during World War II.
