Production & Fundraising Photos
Back to Events Photos
Jan. 19, 1999 - The production of our fundraising demo with an interview of Borinqueneer Ramon Velez, directed by Frank Borres and produced by El Pozo Productions.
Ramon Velez served in Co. L and became a prominent community leader in the Bronx, NY. He passed away in 2008.
The second veteran interviewed for the demo was Wendell Vega of Co. E.
Oct. 3, 1999 - Our first fundraising benefit took place at Pageant Restaurant, New York City which included a screening of the demo.
Our mistress of ceremonies, Olga Merediz (left) raffles various items including this painting. More than 100 people attended.
My first meeting with two long-time Borinqueneer supporters of the film , Tony de la Rosa Melendez of Headquarters Co. 1st Battalion (left) and Eugenio Quevedo of Co. F. Tony passed away in 2004.
The Benefit Committee Members: from left to right, back row LTC Carlos L. Rivera, Porfidio Torres, Robert Maldonado; middle row: Olga Merediz, Marilyn Rivera, Roberto Ortiz; first row: Noemi Figueroa, Ray Figueroa, John Colon. Missing in photo is Sonia Martinez.
Nov. 1999 - Exhibition at the Puerto Rico Book Fair sponsored by the organizers Jose Carvajal (left) and Rodd Rodriguez (right) in San Juan, PR.
Borinqueneer Federico Simmons of the Heavy Mortar Co. and member of the 65th Inf. Assoc. helped man the exhibition booth
Dec. 3, 1999 - Fundraiser hosted by Maj. Sam Delgado (Ret., USMC) and Vice Pres. of Verizon (center), Betty Delgado and Dr. Eric Muñoz.
Sam Delgado, host of the fundraiser, poses with Borinqueneer veterans (left to right) Eugenio Quevedo, Guillermo Alamo and Tony de la Rosa Melendez.
Left to right: Hosts Sam and Betty Delgado , Producers Noemi Figueroa and Fred Noriega, who was the invited speaker.
January 16, 2000 - An Arkansas local production crew setting up an interview shoot with cameraman Dennis Ward (right) and a lighting/sound technician.
Interview of LTC Willis Cronkhite (Ret.) of Little Rock, Arkansas who served as Co. F Commander.
LTC Willis Cronkhite (Ret.) poses with an archival photo of himself and his medals.
January 19, 2000 - The Westchester Arts Council gave a $2,500 artist grant to Noemi, presented by Richard Schwartz, Chairman of the NY State Council on the Arts.
March, 2000 - Latino Public Broadcasting awards El Pozo Productions a $25,000 Research and Development Grant.
April 9, 2000 - Lydia Serrano, a intern from Pace University, helps prepare for a more intensive interview production shoot to Puerto Rico and Florida.
April 10, 2000 - A demo screening and fundraising opportunity provided by the San Juan Rotary Club of San Juan, PR with host Herb Brown, Esq (left) and Gary Clark.
April 11, 2000 - El Pozo Productions traveled to Puerto Rico with a crew for 4 days to tape 16 veteran interviews throughout the island. Our first stop was the 65th Infantry Assoc. clubhouse.
One of our interview subjects was SFC Modesto Cartagena (Ret.) one of the most highly decorated veterans of Puerto Rico. He served with the 65th in World War II and in Co. C during the Korean War.
This is a photo of the medals earned by LTC Angel Escribano (Ret.) in Korea which included a Silver Star, a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. Escribano served in Companies E & F.
At Escribano's home, Producer Noemi and her assistant and sister Aida share a coconut water.
April 17, 2004 - Our production crew flies to Orlando, Florida to interview 9 Florida veterans at the Orlando Vet Center. Left to right: local Production Assistants Brenda Baralt, Joseph Hernandez and Noemi, Stephan Cohen (cameraman) and Alan Black (lighting/soundperson).
One of the interview subjects was Pedro Santana, Co. F Medic.
Also interviewed was Silvia Alvarez Curbelo, History Prof. at the Univ. of Puerto Rico.
Carlos Ruiz Gaudin served in Co. B.
An interview with LTC Carlos Betances, 2nd Battalion Commander in Merrick Island, FL.
May 2, 2000 - A demo screening at the Korean War Veterans Assoc. of Westchester County with officers (left to right) Russell Burno (2nd Vice Pres.), Irving Breitbart (Pres.) and Don King (1st Vice Pres.) They made a donation to the film's production.
May 6, 2000 - Interview of LTC William Friedman (Ret.) of Washington, DC who served as S-3 at Headquarters & Headquarters Co.
May 19, 2000 - Four veteran interviews at a community theater in East Harlem. Pictured is Eugenio Quevedo of Co. F.
Also interviewed was Jose A. "Tony" de la Rosa Melendez who served in Headquarters Co. 1st Battalion.
May 21, 2000 - Interviewed LTC George Jackson (Ret.) of Colorado while he was attending a West Point reunion in New York.
May 26, 2000 - Noemi spoke at the Puerto Rican Parade of Paterson, NJ banquet which honored veterans. She was invited by SFC Angel Cordero (Ret.) - and so began a long friendship and collaboration with one of our greatest supporters.
At the PR Parade of Paterson Banquet, special invited guests included Borinqueneers CSM Guillermo Lanzo (Ret.) (Heavy Mortar Co.) (left) and Asuncion Santiago Cruz.(Headquarters Co. 2nd Battalion).
August 27, 2000 - A parade float at the Puerto Rican Parade of Paterson, NJ dedicated to our veterans. Standing in the forefront are Borinqueneers Tony de la Rosa Melendez (left) and Eugenio Quevedo.
Some of the Borinqueneers in the photo include Tony de la Rosa Melendez, Eugenio Quevedo, Wendell Vega, Israel Montalvo, Angel L. Rivera, CSM Guillermo Lanzo (Ret.) and Tomas Lopez.
Noemi makes sure to capture the moment with her video camera.
The crowds were tremendous!
Aug. 2000 - A presentation at the Westchester Chapter of the Marine Corps League. Commandant Glenn Sadowski presents a $100 donation, a service medal and a bulldog mascot paperweight in support of the film's production.
Pre-production, production and fundraising event photos before 2007.
