2016 – VET INTERVIEWS IN PUERTO RICO
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Jose Vargas-Franceschi served in the Quartermaster Battalion of the 3rd Inf. Div.
Milton Vega is a veteran of the 9th Inf. Regt, 2nd Inf. Div.
Jose L. Irizarry of Co. A., 180th Regt. shows his photo album to Gisela Rodriguez to be scanned.
Luis A. Perez Alvarez of Battery "B", 12th Field Artillery Battalion .
Johnny Lopez de Victoria of Co. L, U.S. Marines Corps.
Borinqueneer Jose Beltran-Luna of Co G is ready to leave after completing his interview.
After the interview shoot, a tour of Castillo Seralles, a beautiful Spanish Revival mansion built in 1930 for the Serrallés family, owners of the Don Q rum distillery, which is now a Museum.
A view of the city of Ponce from Castillo Seralles.
February 14, 2016 - Our interview shoot at the Club of Leones in Lajas, PR began with interviews of Borinqueneer veterans Eusebio Santiago (Co. L) and Nicolas Cancel Figueroa (Co. C).
Dr. Jongwoo Han and Noemi interview 65th veteran Pedro Jackson (Co. F).
Israel Irizarry Rodriguez served in Co. C, 65th Inf. Regt. and 224th Inf. Regt.
Three veterans interviewed are (left to right): Gustavo Mendez (23rd Inf Regt), Israel Irizarry Rodriguez and Daniel Soto (Co. E, 65th Inf. Regt.)
Volunteer Gisela Rodriguez scans photographs of the veterans while Dr. Jongwoo Han is busy archiving the interview list.
Anibal Ithier served in the 23rd Inf. Regt. Photo credit: Vernon Shirley
February 15, 2016 - Three more veterans interviewed are (left to right) Jorge L. Rodriguez (Co K, 65th Inf. Regt.), MSG Santos Rodriguez (Ret.) (7th Inf. Div. ) and Vicente Segarra (Co. M, 65th Inf. Regt.). Photo credit: Vernon Shirley
Noemi helps Rene Rodriguez of Co B, 65th Inf. Regt. fill out the Census registration form. Photo credit: Vernon Shirley
Dr. Han interviews Mmadu Onyeuwa, an African national living in Puerto Rico, who was stationed in Korea in 1968. Photo credit: Vernon Shirley
Gisela interviews Angel David Jimenez of Co. B, 65th Inf. Regt. Photo credit: Vernon Shirley
Borinqueneer Bernardo DeJesus Ramírez of Heavy Mortar Co. brought his extensive memorabilia collection which included a Life Magazine which profiled the 65th. Photo credit: Vernon Shirley
Dr. Jongwoo Han interviewed LTC Edwin Vargas who was stationed in Korea from 1975-76 and whose father, SSG Victor M. Vargas (Ret.) served in Co. B, 65th Inf. Regt. during the Korean War. Photo credit: Vernon Shirley
February 16, 2016 - We start our seventh day in our fifth city with a delicious breakfast in Aguadilla, PR.
The interview shoot took place at the American Legion Post in Aguadilla, PR.
Our host, Genaro Marcial, the Aguadilla American Legion Post Commander.
Our first interview was Borinqueneer Delcio Rivera-Rosario (Co. G).
A display at the American Legion post lists those from Aguadilla who were killed in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Photo credit: Vernon Shirley
65th veteran Ulises Barreto-Gonzalez of Co. M with Noemi. Photo credit: Vernon Shirley
Borinqueneer Miguel Ponce-Ponce of Co. G and HQ HQ Co.
65th veteran Sixto Mercado Valle served in Headquarters Co. 3rd Battalion.
Gisela Rodriguez registers veteran Fermin Miranda Valle of Co. B, 17th Inf. Regt. Photo credit: Vernon Shirley
Borinqueneer SGT Pascual Rosa Feliciano (Ret.) (Co E) (center) poses with his daughter and Dr. Jongwoo Han .
65th veteran Luis Serrano-Belen of Heavy Weapons Co.
65th veteran Manuel Gonzalez del Pilar served in Co. G in Puerto Rico after the Korean War ended.
Benigno Ramos who served in the 180th Inf. Regt. (center) reads the love letters written to him by his wife Anita (right) during the Korean War while Dr. Han records.
TSgt Raimundo Velez Echegaray (Ret., USAF) who served in Co. K, 65th Inf. Regt., shows his old photo.
Dr. Jongwoo Han (right) receives a special tour of the Borinquen Field Ramey Air Force Museum in Aguadilla, PR. where many served during the Cold War years and beyond.. Photo credit: Vernon Shirley
The museum preserves the rich history of the former Ramey Air Force Base with photos and memorabilia.
Photo credit: Vernon Shirley
February 17, 2016 - Our last day of interviews at the Arecibo Public Library in Arecibo, PR.
A sign directs the veterans in Spanish.
Our first interview was Borinqueneer Felipe Aponte-Colon (Co. A) who would pass away only 18 days later on March 6th.
The Korean War Legacy Foundation hosted a trip to Puerto Rico to videotape oral histories of 70 Korean War veterans from February 10-17, 2016. The Foundation maintains a digital museum of Korean War veterans (www.kwvdm.org). El Pozo Productions organized the trip to 6 towns in 8 days. Gisela Rodriguez, Esq. also served as a volunteer. Some photos were provided by Vernon Shirley and are marked as such.
