July 7, 2016 – NY BCGM CEREMONY
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July 7, 2016 - New York Borinqueneers Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony at Hunter College, New York, NY.
The ceremony was organized in collaboration with El Pozo Productions and the East Harlem Borinqueneers Honoring Committee.
And graciously sponsored by Acacia Network, Hunter College's Center for Puerto Rican Studies, the NY Army National Guard, the Borinqueneers Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony National Committee and generous donors.
The first guests begin to check in.
SGM Eric Hunt Benitez and fellow NY National Guardsmen confer before the event.
The Borinqueneers Congressional Gold Medals display.
The BCGM Medals to be awarded were purchased by Acacia Network.
A delicious complimentary Puerto Rican lunch was served to the guests.
Yummy! Chicken, roast pork, rice with pigeon peas, sweet plantains and salald.
Roger Hernandez, Jr. (center), member of the East Harlem Borinqueneers Honoring Committee.
Trio Los Platinos entertain the guests with old classic bolero music.
Borinqueneer veteran Vicente Arroyo gets inspired to dance.
Hector Borges attends on behalf of his uncle, 1SG Fernando Rodriguez-Borges (Ret.).
A military escort confers with her escortee.
Virginia and Borinqueneer veteran Eugenio Quevedo.
Noemi poses with Dagmaris Estevez, daughter of deceased 65th veteran Melanio Rosas.
SGM Eric Hunt Benitez (5th from the left) and fellow NY National Guardsmen served as military escorts and an honor guard.
Raul Russi (CEO) and Hector Diaz (Pres.)(2nd & 3rd from left) of Acacia Network pose with the East Harlem Borinqueneers Honoring Committee.
The Acacia Network Board Members and employees
Left to right: Dr. Harry Franqui Rivera , Roger Hernandez, Sam Rodriguez, Raul Russi, Noemi Figueroa Soulet, Dr. Jongwoo Han, Milagros Baez O’Toole, Hector Diaz and SGM Eric Hunt Benitez.
Borinqueneer Francisco Norat (center) with his family.
Representing deceased veteran SSG Gabriel Soto (Ret.) is Gladys Medina Soto, his daughter, and granddaughters Karla and Shari.
Brothers Ricardo (left) and Joaquin Torres represent their deceased father Joaquin Torres Orellana.
Harold Channer served with the 65th Artillery in Puerto Rico from 1955-56.
Antonio Rivera, son of deceased Borinqueneer CSM Luciano Rivera Rivera (Ret.).
Hector Borges is representing his uncle, 1SG Fernando Rodriguez Borges who resides in Alabama and could not attend.
Rose Figueroa (2nd from right) , widow of deceased veteran Erasmo Figueroa, with family.
65th veterans Modesto Figueroa (left) and Tomas Lopez with Sam Rodriguez, CEO of the BCGM CNC.
Elizabeth Morales Gregg is representing her deceased father Eduardo Morales, a WWII Borinqueneer.
Representing deceased veteran MSG Eusebio Diaz (Ret.) is his son Pedro A. Diaz-Rodriguez and daughter Lillian A. Diaz de Goodrum, both of Austin, TX.
Borinqueneer Juan O'Neill (2nd from right) accompanied by (left to right) his daughter Denise, William Nazario (Sr. Vice Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart), daughter Elizabeth and Ruben R. Prats (Past Commander of NY State-Military Order of Purple Heart).
Gloria Puik (right) is representing her deceased father Juan Morales, a World War II veteran.
The Ceremony is ready to begin with more than 300 attending.
Sponsors of the ceremony, Acacia Network Board Members (left to right) Milagros Baez O’Toole, Raul Russi (CEO) and Hector Diaz (President).
Noemi's family and friends: (left to right) William Cruz, Nilda Soulet, Ray Figueroa, Noemi, Christie Pabon and SFC Angel Cordero.
Myrna Cruz-Hom, daughter of deceased veteran Marcelino Cruz Rodriguez, with family.
Zenaida Gonzalez and her husband Luis representing her father Noe Irizarry Padilla who was too ill to attend.
The New York Borinqueneers Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony honored 56 living and deceased Borinqueneers at Hunter College in New York, NY. Photos courtesy of El Pozo Productions, Rob Figueroa Photography and William Cruz.
