Comentarios

He recibido con gran placer la noticia que el Presidente Obama firmará el Proyecto de Ley para otorgar al Regimiento 65 de Infantería la Medalla de Oro del Congreso.  Muchas gracias por su esfuerzo y dedicación a sus proyectos en favor de 65 de Infantería.  Ha sido su interés en realizar que reconozcan los sufrimientos y atropellos de tantos puertorriqueños que dejaron su vida en tan extraño suelo y los que pudimos salir con vida de tan poco imaginables condiciones. Usted ha trabajado y dedicado mucho tiempo para hacer posible lo que esta vez veremos realizado.   Yo come ex miembro de tan recordable organización militar, me siento más que agradecido por el reconocimiento que se le ha ofrecido a nuestro gran regimiento y mi corazón está lleno de un gran sentimiento; me tranquilizó y al presente me resignó y aceptó con mas positividad 

English Translation:  I have received the great news that President Obama will sign the legislation to award the 65th Infantry Regiment with the Congressional Gold Medal. Thank you very much for your efforts and dedication in your projects related to the 65^th Infantry. It has been because of your interest in bringing to light the suffering and obstacles of so many Puerto Ricans who left their lives in such strange lands and of those of us who returned alive after unimaginable conditions. You have worked and dedicated a lot of time to make possible what we now see become reality. As an ex-member of such a memorable military organization, I feel more than honored for the recognition that has been bestowed to our great regiment and my heart overflows with emotion; I try to remain calm and presently resign myself and positively accept everything that has occurred.

Noemi:  Saludos desde San Juan, Puerto Rico!  Recordando el pasado, recuerdo que te comunicaste conmigo cuando yo era comandante del Puesto #134 de Guaynabo y me mencionaste tu proyecto. Te presté el local y luego me dijiste que había mucho ruido y no salió bien la proyección. Conseguiste un sitio en la Universidad y fuimos allá. Noemi tu dedicación a ese proyecto de hacer un documental de nuestro Regimiento  65 de Infantería y el trabajo de conseguir toda esa información necesaria, guardada en los archivos del olvido, para llevar acabo tu proyecto, no teniendo tu contacto directo con la historia ya pasada del Regimiento y saliendo de un pueblito en las entrañas de Borinquen, este Pueblo te debe muchísimo por poner la historia de un grupo de soldados, hispanos que se distinguieron en los campos de batalla en tierras lejanas, defendiendo los postulados de la Democracia, a la vista y el reconocimiento del mundo. Las guerras empiezan y cuando terminan y los cañones entran en silencio, ese soldado que tuvo la suerte de regresar vivo, es recibido como un héroe pero al poco tiempo el pueblo y el gobierno se olvidan de ellos. Nadie pero nadie aquí en Puerto Rico, principalmente los gobiernos le interesó, ni se dieron cuenta de lo que nosotros hicimos en Corea. Lo que nosotros hicimos en ese país le cambio la historia y hoy día es una de las economías más grande del mundo. Tú y solo tú, Noemi, conseguiste lo que parecía imposible. Tu documental lo han visto millones de gente. Gracias, mil gracias Noemi.  
English Translation:
Noemi:  Greetings from San Juan, Puerto Rico!  Remembering the past, I remember that you contacted me when I was a Commander of Post #134 in Guaynabo and you mentioned your project to me.  I offered you the location (for interviews) and you told me that there was too much noise and the taping did not come out well.  You obtained a place at the University and we went there.  Noemi, your dedication to this project to make a documentary of the 65^th Infantry Regiment and your work in collecting all the necessary information, safeguarded in forgotten files, in order to complete your project, without you having any direct knowledge of this past history of the Regiment and coming from a small town of the entrails of Puerto Rico, the public owes you so much for placing the history of a group of soldiers – Latinos who excelled in the battlefields of distant lands defending the postulates of Democracy – into the spotlight and the recognition of the world.  Wars begin and when they end, and the cannons are silent, the soldier who was lucky to return alive is received as a hero but shortly after, the people and the government forget them. Nobody but nobody here in Puerto Rico, especially the government was interested in nor realized what we did in Korea.  What we did in that country changed their history and today it is one of the biggest economies of the world. You and only you, Noemi, achieved what seemed impossible. Your documentary has been seen by millions of people.  Thank you, a thousand thanks, Noemi.

As a disable veteran from Desert Storm I’m very proud of my Boricuas comrads that fought so gallantry to put our Island, Flag, and name very high in the congress library. We are part of history and now with this well overdue recognition from congress we as Boricuas should be very, very proud. God bless mi Islita bella Boriquen and God bless America!

Just a simple question, why my father name is not posted in the name list? He served in the Korea’s war and was part of the 65th Infantry, his name is Jose Guillermo Pickard -Joe Pickard, and live in Wethersfield CT.

 thank you

 Kathy Pickard

RESPONSE:  The photos in the Borinqueneers Gallery are photos that have mostly been submitted by the veterans or their families.  It is not a complete listing of ALL those who served in the 65th Inf. Regt. which numbered in the thousands. Please following instructions on how to submit photos here: How to Submit Photos.

First let met thank all, on behalf of my father, Nazario Veguilla, who worked tirelessly to obtain the Congressional Gold Medal (CGM) for the Borinqueneers, U.S. Army Infantry Regular from Puerto Rico. My father was an intelligent yet humble Jibaro from Guavate, Caguas, Puerto Rico who heard the United States call to arms and didn’t think twice about joining. He barely spoke English and had never been outside of the region of Caguas … quite brave, the attitude and spirit shared by all those Borinqueneers. He is now 94 years old and forgets things, so my sisters and I are very relieved that he related many memories of his military adventures to us over the years, and that we had the foresight to make notes and keep photos and records, for it would have been lost otherwise. 

According to his Army separation papers he entered service April 10, 1944 Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico. He was in Company C 65th Infantry. His military campaign assignment was Rhineland, Central Europe. American Theater, USA Atlantic.  He was 25 years old. He was Honorably Discharged from Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico, March 14, 1946 as PVT. First Class, Reason: Demobilization Radiogram 1000 (assuming this was a radio communications unit; more importantly, where he developed his lifelong expertise in electronics). Decorations and Citations included American Theater Service Medal, WW II Victory Medal, 2 Overseas Service Bars, European African Middle Eastern Theater Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars. He still speaks proudly of his military days. He often says, “Tu sabias que yo era soldado?”

My uncle William Archer Martinez served in the Hq Co 3d Battalion 65th Infantry and his seperation date was 31 Jan 1946.  He received decorations for the American Theater Service Medal, European African Middle Eastern Theater, WWIIVictory Medal and was in the Rome-Arno, Rhineland, Central Europe battles.  I’m not sure, can anyone tell me if this was part of the Borinqueneers unit.  He has passed away  and although I have a copy of his DD214, I don’t really understand what a lot of it means.  Thanks

OMG!! I had heard about this all my life from stories that my dad would tell. I found my great uncle on this site.

I am so proud to be a part of this. I am so glad that finally they are being recognized for their contribution.

I only wish that my dad and great uncle had lived to have seen it. God bless them all~ Thank you for sharing this great treasure of truths and making it possible for all to enjoy!

!!!

En mi pagina de facebook inclui un articulo del periodico el Imparcial en el que narra un reportaje  de mi suegro DR.Julio E Rivera Prats y su labor como medico en el combate de Kelly Hill .Un ser que arriesgo su vida luchando para salvar a muchos del REGIMIENTO 65 INF y que gracias a su sacrificio fueron muchos los que pudieron regresar a nuestra patria. El reportero lo cataloga como EL VALEROSO TENIENTE RIVERA.  Desconozco por que  nunca se reconocio su labor y su valor junto a los valerosos soldados de la 65 inf. solo se que en Hato Rey hay una calle que se llama Teniente Rivera y creo que fue en su honor. Favor de ilustrarme si eso es cierto.

Greetings! My name is Melissa and I am an adult student currently at SUNY Westchester Community College. While taking a break from my Art History class, I came across a flier for a screening of “The Borninqueneers” that was to be held at WCC. I had not heard of the 65th Infantry prior to seeing this flier and I knew it was something that I absolutely had to see. It was not just a part of U.S. history, it was a part of my history as a Puerto Rican American (Nuyorican), and a part of my culture, one that I was not aware of. I had the pleasure, the privilege, and utmost honor to meet and speak with the filmmaker and two veterans of the 65th Infantry. I could have stayed all night listening to their stories. The documentary was intense, touching, emotional, heartfelt, and proud. It is one of my highest recommendations of films to watch. The 9 years that it took for Noemi Figueroa Soulet to make shows her hard work and efforts. She ventured into the unknown and raised triumphantly. This story needs to be told, the voices of these brave men need to be heard and we are responsible for making it known. I have made a commitment to speak and share about this segregated troop who fought bravely and non-stop, and I am proud to do so. With that stated, I want to simply say thank you!

Hello. First I would like to say that the documentary is spectacular, thought provoking, and heart warming. Thank you for this gem. I am a writer for El Boricua, an online publication. This coming month the magazine honors Puerto Rican soldiers. I remembered my uncle who lives in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico had been a soldier. I was pretty sure it was Korea. I decided I would contact him and write about his soldier years. In my investigation I discovered that he may very well have been a Borinqueneer. The story took a bitter sweet turn when I was informed that my uncle is now very ill and unable to recall or recognize. Fortune has it that his brother, my other uncle who also resides in Rio Grande,is now his voice. He is telling me the story, an incredible one, about my possibly Borinqueneer uncle. He remembers he fought with the 65th! I found a picture on the site that holds a great likeness to my uncle. It has no name on it. I am continuing my research but am a little overwhelmed as to which way to go. My uncle was badly wounded and spent sometime in a prisoner of war camp, where he managed to escape. He then had a long spell in a hospital in Texas recovering from severe injuries. If anyone has any suggestions how I may continue to piece the story together, I would appreciate it. I am not even sure if he received the Purple Heart.Any suggestions on what organizations I may contact would be helpful. His name is Juan Nieves. Thank you.