2016 – BCGM Ceremonies
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April 12, 2016 - Reception for Borinqueneer veterans, families and guests at the Hilton Crystal City Hotel in Arlington, VA. Pictured here is MSG Daniel Jaime (Ret.) (right) with his wife Margarita and son Daniel and Noemi
Noemi poses with 65th veterans at the reception.
SFC Angel Rosario (Ret.) with his wife and Noemi.
Antonio Flores Diaz and SGT Pascual Rosa Feliciano (Ret.)
April 13, 2016 - Early morning wreath laying ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington Cemetery, the Korean War Memorial (pictured) and the World War II Memorial.
Borinqueneer veterans from all parts of the U.S. and Puerto Rico attend.
Sam Rodriguez (center), CEO of the BCGM Ceremony National Committee, addresses the group.
Sam Rodriguez (center) is flanked by MSG Daniel Jaime (Ret.) (left) and Col. John Palese (Ret.) (right).
MSG Daniel Jaime (Ret.) of McAllen, Texas, a Mexican-American who served in Co. "K".
Noemi poses with Col. John Palese (Ret., ARNG) of Milwaukee, WI who served in the Medical Co.
Noemi poses with Frank Medina (in uniform) the person who initiated the BCGM Campaign accompanied by various chapter members of the Borinqueneers Motorcycle Club.
A wreath displays the 65th Infantry Regiment insignia.
April 13, 2016 - BCGM Unveiling Ceremony at Emancipation Hall in Washington, DC.
MSG Daniel Jaime (Ret.) proudly stands next to a large-size replica of the Medal.
Noemi poses with Mrs. Lize Ruiz (widow of 65th vet SFC Carlos Ruiz (Ret.) and his grandson, Paul Clark.
Col. Gerald Wilcomb (Ret.) of Georgetown, TX served with the 58th Field Artillery Battalion which was attached to the 65th Regimental Combat Team. He is a survivor of the Jackson Heights battle.
Col. Gerald Wilcomb (Ret.) with his son Mark Wilcomb.
Col. Manuel SIverio (Ret.) (left) who served in Co. "E" and Luis Juarbe Perez who served in Co. "E" and in Headquarters & Headquarters Co. Manuel flew in from Florida and Luis from Puerto Rico.
Nelson Gonzalez, son of deceased 65th veteran Juan Gonzalez Morales of Co. "L" was there to represent his father.
Federico Simmons who served in Heavy Mortar Co. poses with his wife.
The Guffain Brothers represented their deceased father LTC Tomas Guffain (Ret.) who served as Co. "F" Commander. Left to right: Pam & Tom Guffain, Carlos Guffain.
One of the few World War II 65th veterans left, MSG Andres Vergara was there in proper military attire.
Pablo Delgado Medina of Co. "E" flew in from Puerto Rico.
The original Borinqueneers Congressional Gold Medal on display.
As the medal is symbolically awarded to two Borinqueneer veterans, someone proudly waves the Puerto Rican flag.
Senator Robert Blumenthal of Connecticut spoke . Blumenthal introduced the BCGM Bill in the Senate.
Col. Manuel Siverio (Ret.) was chosen to speak on behalf of his fellow Borinqueneer veterans.
Speaker Paul Ryan symbolically awards the Medal to 65th veterans MSG José Colon (Ret.) and Col. Manuel Siverio (Ret.) (right).
Hundreds of attendees join the U.S. Army Band and Chorus in an emotional rendition of the classic "En mi Viejo San Juan". Not a dry eye in the audience!
April 13, 2006 - National BCGM Awards Ceremony at the Hilton Crystal Ballroom with a capacity of 500 people.
65th veteran Eugenio Quevedo (left) with his wife Virginia and son George.
Casimiro Rodriguez (left) accompanied by 65th veteran Juan Negron Rivera and his family came from Buffalo, NY.
CSM Orlando Hernandez Lopez (Ret., USAR) from Jacksonville, FL shows his replica medal. Orlando served in the Heavy Tank Co.
Col. John Palese (Ret., ARNG) with his two sons.
Borinqueneer vets receive their replica medals. Left to right: MSG Daniel Jaime, Juan B. Negrón Rivera, Eugenio Quevedo, Noemi, SGM Victor López, Nieves, SFC Ismael Nevarez and Raul Reyes Castañeira.
Col. Walter McCostlin (Ret.) of Fox River Grove, IL served in Headquarters & Headquarters Co.'s I&R Platoon.
SFC Angel Rosario (Ret.) of Killeen, TX , Noemi, Celestino Cordova of New Haven, CT and MSG Jose Colon of Casselberry, FL.
Col. Jeff Pounding, Noemi, 65th veteran Raul Reyes Castañeira and Hector "Repoman" Diaz.
The Illinois contingent returns home: (left to right) Ivan Maras, Raul Cardona, Santiago Perez, Diego Figueroa and Juan Vazquez.
2016 Borinqueneers Congressional Gold Medal Ceremonies that have taken place in Washington, DC, Puerto Rico, Florida, as well miscellaneous individual ceremonies.
