Borinqueneers Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony National Committee

06/10/2026

June 10 will always be special to me.

Many people remember this day as the day the legislation was signed by the 44th President awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to the soldiers of the 65th Infantry Regiment, the Borinqueneers.

I remember the people who made it happen.

I remember Frank Medina, Larry Brystan, George Laws Garcia, Robert Carter, Juvencio Gonzalez, Casimiro Rodriguez, Wanda Rentas, Carolyn Vega-Melendez, Noemí Figueroa, Lydia Santiago, our leaders in Florida, and so many others who dedicated countless hours to the cause. We were not celebrities, politicians, or elites. We were volunteers, advocates, veterans, family members, and supporters united by a common purpose.

Together, we built a movement. We made phone calls, attended meetings, visited congressional offices, wrote letters, organized events, educated communities, and worked our way through the legislative maze of the House and Senate. Every person contributed in their own way, and every effort mattered.

What also stands out to me today is how technology helped bring us together. Email, websites, social media and yes here on Facebook, and digital communications allowed us to connect, share information, organize, educate, and keep the momentum alive across states and communities.

Today, as we enter the age of AI, I am reminded that technology can be an incredible force for good when it helps people work together toward a common goal.

I also remember Los Hijos ‘e Plena. On the day of the White House celebration, the rain came down hard. The drums were soaked, clothes were drenched, and conditions were miserable, yet Los Hijo 'e Plena NEVER backed down or went home, that’s what soldiers do…stay focused until the mission is accomplished. They stood their ground, played their music, and celebrated alongside the living Borinqueneers and the community that had fought so long for this recognition. Their spirit reflected the very determination that brought us all there. Thankyou Cultura Plenera

Today, I celebrate the movement, the friendships, the sacrifices, the technology that connected us, and the people who refused to quit.

The Congressional Gold Medal was not simply awarded. It was earned through years of dedication by ordinary people who came together to accomplish something extraordinary.

To everyone who carried the torch and helped make history, thank you.

Honor et Fidelitas.

🇵🇷🎖️🎶

05/25/2026

Thank you to everyone that volunteered to day to honor our Borinqueneer’s buried at Arlington National Cemetery. My respects to all and the leadership of The Borinqueneers Documentary Film and Noemi Figueroa.

𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐀𝐘, 𝐌𝐀𝐘 𝟐𝟒, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 - "𝐀 𝐏𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐁𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫" 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝐀𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐲

FOURTEEN volunteers (accompanied by family and friends for a total of 26 people) participated in our “A Penny for a Borinqueneer” event at Arlington Cemetery in honor of Memorial Day. After a group photograph taken at the Borinqueneers Plaque in Section 21 beginning at 11 a.m., the teams dispersed to visit ONE HUNDRED FOURTEEN (114) graves and left a penny on top of their graves.

Leaving pennies (and other coins) on graves is a gesture of respect, remembrance, and a way for visitors to signal they have visited the resting place. The graves visited include: 23 Puerto Rican Borinqueneers; 36 Continental Borinqueneers; 21 65th Regimental Commanders and 34 Puerto Ricans who served in other units.

Once we receive all the photos from the volunteers, we will be posting the TEAM photos so you can see who was visited. Thank you to all these wonderful, dedicated volunteers who worked hard to prepare and be there today, taking time from their busy schedules to pay tribute to our departed service members. Special thanks to Juan Perez and Luis Parga for their efforts in the planning of this event. May these souls rest in peace for they were remembered today.

05/22/2026

Shared Blood with the great people of the Republic of Korea

05/21/2026

Earlier today I received a Hertz text msg, it annoyed me.

Memorial Day is not a shopping holiday to me.

For families Memorial Day is personal. For gold-star families this day a traffic reminder day.

In my family I think of think of Manuel F. Rios-Ortiz - brother of my grandfather he never made it home from Korea. No long military career. No ribbons covering his chest. Just sacrifice. And today, even something as simple as a Memorial Day sales text message from Hertz hits me with emotions I was not prepared for.

Many Puerto Rican soldiers wore the uniform proudly while still struggling with questions of acceptance, racism, belonging, and recognition. For some, the uniform was the only place they felt fully seen and respected. To wearing a tie was a sense of pride and manhood despite never being married or even having a girlfriend.

That history still lives inside many of us.

So when I see “Memorial Day Sales,” I do not think about buying things or deals.
I think about the fallen.
I think about sacrifice.
I think about those who gave everything before they even had the chance to truly live their lives. Gold-star families.

This holiday should never be about rental cars, sales promotions, or backyard grills.

If we are going to spend money, maybe we should spend it honoring the fallen: visiting a cemetery, placing flowers at a gravesite, or supporting Gold Star families. Spend money where it matters on Tombstone place money there. That feels far more meaningful and honorable to me.

05/17/2026

Today we honor the men and women currently serving in the United States Armed Forces … especially those currently in harm’s way in the Persian Gulf.

Thank you for standing watch, protecting the mission, and carrying the responsibility that most never see.

From every branch, every uniform, and every family supporting from home … your service matters.

As a Veteran, today I salute all those still serving. 🇺🇸

Honor et Fidelita.

05/02/2026

Juntos, nada nos detiene
Mental Health Awareness
Never be afraid to ask…be 💪🏽
Honor et Fidelitas

04/29/2026

🇺🇸 BCGMCNC - Leadership is not measured by a single moment—we are defined by what we continue to build long after the spotlight fades.

Today, we want to recognize and thank Juan Luis Cruz, Retired 1st Sargeant a true leader Living in Connecticut, for over a decade of unwavering dedication to the Borinqueneer’s mission. From standing strong during the Congressional Gold Medal journey to continuing the work long after the ceremony, Juan has remained committed to honoring and preserving the legacy of the 65th Infantry Regiment.

Leaders like Juan are crucial to educating the nation about the 65th Infantry Regiment, and these license plates are a powerful example of that mission in action.

His latest accomplishment speaks volumes: securing official Borinqueneers-themed license plates for the state of Connecticut. This is more than a plate—it’s a moving tribute, a symbol of pride, and a meaningful way to keep the story of the Borinqueneers visible on every road traveled. Every time a 65th Infantry Regiment plate is issued, a portion supports the organization Juan continues to lead and serve.

This is how legacy lives on—not in words alone, but in action, persistence, and purpose.

Juan, thank you for your leadership, your vision, and your commitment to ensuring that the Borinqueneers are never forgotten.



🇵🇷 BCGMCNC El liderazgo no se mide por un solo momento—se define por lo que seguimos construyendo mucho después de que se apagan los luces.

Hoy quiero reconocer y agradecer al Juan Luis Cruz Retirado 1er Sargento, un verdadero líder radicado en Connecticut, por más de una década de dedicación inquebrantable a la misión de los Borinqueneers. Desde mantenerse firme durante la trayectoria hacia la Medalla de Oro del Congreso hasta continuar el trabajo mucho después de la ceremonia, Juan ha permanecido comprometido con honrar y preservar el legado del Regimiento 65º de Infantería.

Líderes como Juan son cruciales para educar a la nación sobre el 65º Regimiento de Infantería, y estas placas son un poderoso ejemplo de esa misión en acción.

Su más reciente logro habla por sí solo: asegurar placas oficiales conmemorativas de los Borinqueneers para el estado de Connecticut. Esto es más que una placa de carro es un homenaje en movimiento, un símbolo de orgullo y una forma significativa de mantener visible la historia de los Borinqueneers en cada carretera recorrida. Cada vez que se emite una placa del Regimiento 65º de Infantería, una parte apoya a la organización que Juan continúa liderando y sirviendo.

Así es como vive el legado—no solo en palabras, sino en acción, perseverancia y propósito.

Juan, gracias por tu liderazgo, tu visión y tu compromiso de asegurar que los Borinqueneers nunca sean olvidados.

04/13/2026

Today, on National Borinqueneers Day, we honor and commemorate the service of one of the last living Borinqueneers residing in Arnold, Maryland — Ismael Torres.

A soldier of the 65th Infantry Regiment, he served with honor during the Korean War. In the midst of battle, his unit took in and protected a young Korean boy, this is a reminder that the Borinqueneers were not only warriors, fought like devils, yet they were soldiers of humanity.

After his service in Korea, Ismael continued serving our nation in the United States Coast Guard, later retiring and building his life with his kids, grandchildren in Maryland.

Today, we recognize not just his service and his legacy.

A Borinqueneer, father, patriot, and a living piece of history.

Honor et Fidelita.

04/13/2026

Today, April 13th, we honor National Borinqueneers Day.

A day rooted in two reasons:

First — it marks the anniversary of the Congressional Gold Medal unveiled on Capitol Hill in 2016, honoring the brave men of the 65th Infantry Regiment.
Second — it falls during the school year, ensuring this day becomes not only a remembrance, but an educational opportunity for future generations.

5 years ago (2021 NDAA), April 13th was officially designated as National Borinqueneers Day.

This day is more than a date —
it is a tribute to service, sacrifice, and legacy.

We also remember and honor the Borinqueneers who stood present in that historic effort and gathering:

CSM Aníbal Albertorio
SFC Víctor Vega-Villanueva
PFC Richard Acosta
CPL Germán Colón
SGM José E. Colón
SSG Gil Cintrón
CPL Heriberto Dejesus
Rafael Donis
CPL Juan R. Flores
SFC Ángel Mendoza
SGT Ángel Roura
Diego Meléndez

None of this would have been possible without the unwavering commitment of our volunteers —
Albie, Borinqueneer Aníbal Albertorio, and Wanda Rentas — whose dedication helped carry this mission forward.

We also extend our gratitude on the legislative side to Senator Rick Scott of Florida for his support in making this national recognition possible.

“Recognizing the soldiers of the 65th Infantry Regiment — the Borinqueneers — has been the accomplishment of a lifetime. Honoring them each year moves us forward, ensuring their story lives on and inspires future generations to serve our nation with purpose and pride.”
— Sam Rodriguez

honor et Fidelita.

04/05/2026

ESPERANZA Y RENACIMIENTO

But from the perspective of service and sacrifice… there are men and women standing watch — committed in the spirit of freedom.

Mientras celebramos, ellos sirven.
Mientras descansamos, ellos vigilan.

Respect and gratitude — always.

Honor et Fidelita.