Comments

Thank you so much for making this emotional documentary and honoring all these brave men. I sat with my 74 year old father, Luciano Arce Diaz, from Aguada, PR. He was a Corporal during the Korean War, in the 65th Infantry, 3rd Division, Company B. He has told me stories about the War although he never talked about it until recently. He lost his childhood friend, Milton Nelson. He witnessed so much as did all the others. I am so proud of him. He told us “A soldier becomes a soldier to serve his country and to die for his country.” He added, “Don’t join the military if the love is not there. Don’t do it for the money or the prestige or for a better future. Do it because you are willing to sacrifice your future for the future of the Patria.” My children watched the program with us. They knew he is a Veteran but they too were impacted by your documentary. To my surprise, my young sons, his grandchildren, who are 9 and 8, stood in front of him, saluted their Papi and hugged him. This is a moment I will carry with me forever. Thank you.

Of the little that I managed to see on PBS, I love how real and sentimental it was. How is it that Puerto Ricans, in spite of problems encountered, no matter how large, can remain close and are able to always make time to sing and to maintain our culture in spite of our sorrows. I am a Son of a Korean Veteran and although he did not fight directly with 65th Infantry, he spent the whole time of service on the front lines. He was honorably discharged and felt great pride for having fought for our Nation. He rarely speaks about what happened there, in spite of the years that have passed, it still affects him and I do not insist speaking of it… In spite of his 4 Bronze Medals and two or three other Medals that he received for his service, my Father is very private about this and I understand why. That’s why I want to buy the Video, for myself. So I could have something to show to my Children and so they could see what the Puerto Ricans such as their Grandfather went through for this Nation that, in spite of the sacrifices of our own, they still treat us badly. Many of the Americans with whom I have spoken do not even know where Puerto Rico is. They have asked me for my green card during employment interviews. It is incredible the extent of the ignorance by people. That’s why I always carry my Flag, whether on a Shirt or whatever. I am very proud to be Puerto Rican and proud of people such as yourself that honor us and educate people with works such as this one…Thanks for remembering those who paid so high a price for what we enjoy today and it is hardly ever mentioned. May God bless you and give you lots of Health so that you can continue with such a noble cause.

Translated from Spanish.

We were delighted to learn that your years of dedication and hard work have come to fruition with the impending documentary on the 65th Infantry Regiment to be released this summer. Congratulations. It’s a job well done. We will look forward to watching it on our local PBS station… My father would have been so pleased to see this film come together. We all know how much he revered the 65th and all who served with him in both Puerto Rico and Korea. Combat tests the mettle of all who experience it. My father felt privileged to have been able to be a part of such a dedicated group of soldiers under the crucible of combat. Please extend our warmest wishes to all that were involved in this project. Viva Los Borinqueños!

Daughter of Brig. Gen. William Harris, 65th Regimental Commander.

I also bought Mi Puerto Rico some time ago and am convinced that [THE BORINQUENEERS] should be a must-have in every Puerto Rican home.

As you know, the 65th is dear to my heart. I appreciate very much your hard work in making a DVD on our unit. I will buy it and treasure it as part of my heritage.

The documentary was superb. I was quite impressed with the way the 65th was portrayed. It was a true representation with what really happened during the Korean War, with the 65th Infantry… My congratulations to you.

Widow of LTC Carlos Betances who appears in the film.

My father and I watched the PBS presentation on June 7. It was great. It is extremely well done, professional and gave us Boricuas something to be proud of… I am happy to have been a long time supporter of this documentary. A number of Puerto Ricans who saw the show remarked that they did not know anything about this situation in Korea, nor did they know how well the Puerto Ricans performed In the Regiment. I think there is a whole generation of Puerto Ricans who are not familiar with the history of the 65th Infantry Regiment nor the role Puerto Ricans played in defending the USA in WWI, WWII, and Korea. This presentation is a source of pride for many.

Carlos is the son of 65th vet LTC Tomas Guffain who appears in the film.