Comentarios

I saw the Borinqueneers on September 15th on PBS in Chicago, where they also interviewed Noemi. this production moved me to tears. My father was one of those court martialed and he remained resentful of the US government until the day he died. I cannot thank you enough for finally telling us the true story. My father refused to talk about it so we did not realize exactly what had happened and why. Keep up the good work.

Erasmo Rivera Pagan,SFC,65th Regiment,3rd Infantry,7/4/30-3/20/07. My eulogy:

1st understand his roots in the culture of Puerto Rico:a synthesis of 3 separate cultures:the indigenous people,the Spaniards & the Africans on a Caribbean Island 100×40 miles,but witha much larger impact on Latin America than its size.From my 2-week experience at age 26 this culture has the most color blind society I have ever seen.It was a fully-functioning economy for centuries: they lived off the land.

2 patterns emerged:a 500-year time frame vs.200 of the mainland US.A color blind society & a longer evolution than the USA,was important;also a functional excellence going on here.Caribbean baseball stars(Alou Brothers,Rod Carew,Orlando Cepeda & Juan Marischal)stood out.

I married Gloria & went to San Juan for our honeymoon;on return to California at Mexican restaurants,many songs played live were Puerto Rican!La Ultima Copa,Amistad,
Pa’Todo El Ano,En Mi Viejo San Juan.The white Rum of choice is Bacardi of San Juan.The world’s largest radio telescope is at Arecibo,operated by Cornell University.

200 years vs 500.Cultural hi standards.Quality.Cultural excellence.Teamwork & Color Blindness,vs. a young country, where only 140 years ago Civil War ended slavery.Puerto Rican society:300 years ahead of America -a more advanced state of development.

The culture said a person’s worth is based more on merit and ability to contribute to society; less upon privilege and what one could take from it.Many parallels there,with some of my country’s highest ideals.

So who was this soldier? 1st:A survivor, shot by the enemy in Korea,blown out of a Jeep in Vietnam,but with sand bags on the seat and floor,he escaped death while his driver,who didn’t,didn’t. If your soldiers don’t survive,you lose your army,the battle and the war.

2nd,he lived a code of honor every day of his life, and happy to help those of peers who needed to understand The Code.

3rd,an aggressive scrappy fighter.Maybe not so important in peacetime,but of incalculable worth on the battlefield.

4th,an indomitable will to live.In his 70s the VA medical staff saw this,as he cheated death,for 3 years.What about being a supply sergeant? Some downplay its importance.History says otherwise.The Lend-lease program, late 1942,re-supplied the Russians,while VonPaulus was bogged down with dysfunctional supply lines.In the Battle of Stalingrad that followed(1/1/1943) Konev&Zukhov turned the tide of the European war. Better supply, better results. Another example:the Liberty Ships. Supply is a critical function:the force with the superior supply wins the war.

As a provider & father,others already reported on his working 2 or 3 jobs to make extra money.He fed the homeless veterans from holiday left-overs, decades before it became fashionable.

He was for me a source of inspiration,& an example of a more advanced society,deeply rooted to the land,than what I see around me today.

In the photo gallery there is a picture of an Andres Figueroa Rosado. He served in the Korean War around 1951 or so with the Medical Company with the 65th Inf. He was a proud veteran and then the warehouse that held his records burned down. Is there any info anyone can help with like where did you attain the photo or any other roster that his name was on, did you serve with him? I am his son in law and served for 34 years active and reserve. I am a retired CW4 Aviator and flew Medevac in Iraq in 2004. I respect his service and only wish for him to receive his just dues. Your attention will be greatly appreciated.

If anybody has information to assist Andres Figueroa Rosado, please contact me at:

Carlos.Roberto.Hernandez@us.army.mil

Thank you,

CW4 (Ret) Carlos R. Hernandez

This is OUR Tuskegee story. This is a brilliant film by Ms Naomi Figueroa Soulet; it is about a forgotten unit of a “forgotten” war. However, the unit’s actions against its “domestic enemies” are what haunts the memory of what should otherwise be the most celebrated and decorated unit in our Armed Forces – bar none, bar none of our conflicts.

See the film and spread the word! This is a gold mine for Puerto Rican pride and we need to cash it in.

Boricuas – Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen and Coast Guardsmen – this is about our “Band of Brothers.

My Father Jesus Roman Sanchez, the one I’m very proud off, serve in the Korean war from 1951-53. My father right now he is legally blind, and could not see the documentary, but if anyone remember him, and it’s in Puerto Rico, contact him and talk to him. He’s spent must on his time at the VA in Hato Rey. The borinqueneers will be showing here in Dallas tomorrow, and I will sponsor this film and also with some memorablia. Please support this heroes and be proud of our country. The way I’am.

I AM WATCHING THE BORINQUENEERS DVD TODAY. JUST GOT MY BASEBALL HAT, THE INSIGNIA PATCH, THE T SHIRT, PLUS THE DVD. IT TOOK A WEEK TO GET THE PACKAGE. I USE MY CREDIT CARD FOR FASTER SERVICE. THE SERVICE WAS GREAT AND ON TIME. THANKS TO NOEMI, AND ALL THE PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE DOCUMENTARY MOVIE, YOU DID A GREAT JOB ON THE MOVIE, IS EXCELLENT. MY ORDER FROM THE PBS TV OF ONE DVD AND THE BASEBALL HAT, HAVENT GOT IT YET, IT PROBABLY TAKE ABOUT 3 MONTHS, THEY SAY. I PAYED 100 DOLLARS FOR THE DVD AND 50 DOLLARS FOR THE BASEBALL HAT THERE. BUT WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT IS A DONATION FOR THE PBS TV. AND WE HAVE TO THANKS PBS FOR THE SHOWING OUT GREAT DOCUMENTARY MOVIE OF THE BORINQUENEERS. WE SHOULD BE PROUD THEY ARE SHOWING OUR MOVIE, AND DONATIONS WILL HELP ON OTHERS MOVIES TO COME. I HOPE THERE IS A MOVIE ABOUT VIETNAM TOO, OR A BORINQUENEERS PART 11 OR 111,OR ANY OTHER WARS UNTIL TODAY. MY FAMILY AND I LOVE THE MOVIE, IS EXCELENT, I WILL GIVE IT ***** STARS, GREAT. I WISH I CAN BUY MANY OTHERS DVDS , BUT MY FAMILY IS SO BIG, I CAN ONLY BUY A FEW, HEHEHHE. THANKS TO NOEMI, RAQUEL, MIGUEL, PATRICIA,HECTOR, RAQUEL, EL POSO PRODUCTIONS, DAVID, AND ALL THE PEOPLE INVOLVED. SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL THE BORRINQUENEERS. I WISH MY FATHER WAS HERE TO SEE IT, HE LOVE THE BORINQUENEERS.

OUR LOVE AND PRAYERS,
ERNESTO J. MARRERO

My father, Roberto Rivera, Sr. was a Borinqueneer. I was young, I remember him commenting about his experiences in the war. He earned a purple heart for an injury sustained in Korea. He was so proud of his service and experiences throughout the world; something that he would have never seen had he not enlisted into military service. When I was watching The Borinqueneers, I was so proud that I could bust!!! I was wondering what he would have said had he not passed away almost eight years ago this coming January.

It was really unsettling to see how these brave men were received by non-Puerto Rican officers as being some kind of savages who only saw the color of their skins rather than the fervor and commitment that they had to fight for our country. I have been a federal employee for twenty years investigating discrimination in the workplace to include racial and national origin. It is truly shocking how many of our fellow american citizens know about Puerto Ricans and the special relationship and role that our people have played in American history since 1898. It is shocking how many do not know that we are American citizes from birth. Maybe, just maybe, this documentary can be the beginning of a healing period to demonstrate that we hold the abilities, dedication and intelligence to achieve a special place in American history . God Bless us all for what we have and give us the strengh, dedication and wisdom to fight racial discrimination and racial stereotyping so that we can become a stronger nation. Only unquestionable unity can help us survive the challenges that this dangerous world will bring in the future.

I am of Puerto Rican descent born in Aguadilla, P.R but raised 30 years in NY and 3 years now I live in Florida. During a weekend at home for the very first time I came to learn about “The Borinqueneers” during a PBS broadcast. Through out all my education and history I never was taught about “The Borinqueneers”. I am 33 years of age now and came into this new history info as it pertains to my culture. It sadden me to see and hear about the 65th. This is very educative and outstanding piece of history in which I plan to seek more knowledge about “The Borinqueneers”.

I JUST WANT TO SAY HOW PROUD I AM TO BE PUERTO RICAN.WITH SO MUCH TALK ABOUT THE PRICE OF FREEDOM LATELY IT MAKES ME PROUD TO KNOW THAT THESE HEROES GAVE THEIR BLOOD, SWEAT,AND TEARS FOR THEIR SMALL ISLAND.

I am trying to get information about the 65th in World War Two. I’m also trying to get some information about anyone that knew or served with my great-uncle Harry Maldonado(K company in WW2). Thanks