Comentarios

Mi papá (Luis Ramos) falleció en 11 de octubre de 2012 y fue enterrado en el cementerio nacional de West Palm Beach.  Mi papa estuvo en el ejército desde 1940 hasta 1955.  Fue integrante del 65 de Infantería y participo en la Segunda Guerra Mundial y en la Guerra de Corea donde trabajo como radioman  en comunicaciones en el frente de batalla.  Murió una semana antes de cumplir sus 90 años.  Mi papá estuvo tan orgulloso de el recibimiento que le otorgaron en Puerto Rico (durante los tributos al 65 en Sept. 2012).  Fue algo muy importante para mi papá poder cerrar ese capítulo de su vida y recibir las medallas que nunca les fueron otorgadas. Le agradezco todo lo que ustedes hicieron por mi padre, pues lo hicieron sentirse orgulloso por su servicio a los Estados Unidos.

Su hijo, Luis Ramos Jr.

His son, Luis Ramos, Jr. 

Siempre había oído hablar de como se había destacado el Regimiento de 65 de Infantería,
pero el 14 de mayo en Casa de América (Madrid, España) lo viví de una forma más directa, además de adquirir un mayor conocimiento de la historia del este Regimiento. Afloraron en mí grandes y nuevos sentimientos de emoción, orgullo y  admiración, por supuesto  hacia mi papá (él no contaba mucho de la guerra), y hacia todos esos soldados que participaron en las diferentes guerras.  

En un momento del documental, uno de los militares hace mención a lo unido que estaba el Regimiento y de los lazos que se habían creado entre ellos, ya que Puerto Rico era una isla pequeña y muchos eran amigos o conocidos antes iniciar la guerra. 

Quiero dar testimonio de que en el caso de mi papá también fue así. Mis padres tenían un grupo de compañeros y GRANDES amigos, todos ellos pertenecientes al Regimiento 65 de Infantería,  que estuvieron reuniéndose durante toda la vida, con mucha frecuencia. Se llamaban “Los Cacheteros”, y se reunían una vez al mes. Se iban turnando, un  “cachete” en cada casa. De pequeña recuerdo que los hijos de “los Cacheteros” también participábamos en sus actividades, en las casas de campo, playa, etc.

Quiero también felicitar desde aquí a Noemí, por su profesionalidad, objetividad, dedicación y honestidad. Una mujer realmente admirable!

Voy a conseguir algún retrato de papi para ponerlo en la Web.  Gracias nuevamente.  

Translation:
I had always heard speak about how well the 65th Infantry Regiment had fought, but on May 14th at Casa de America (Madrid, Spain) I experienced it in a more direct form, in addition to acquiring a greater knowledge of the history of this Regiment.  I was overwhelmed by new and greater feelings of emotion, pride and admiration, of course towards my Dad (he did not speak much about the war), and towards all these soldiers that took part in the various wars.

At one point in the documentary, one of the soldiers mentions how united the Regiment was and of the bonds that had been created between them, since Puerto Rico was a small island and many people were friends or acquaintances before the war began.

I want to give testimony that in my Dad’s case it was also like that.  My parents had a group of compatriots and GREAT friends, all of them belonging to the 65th Infantry Regiment, who they got together with throughout their whole lives, with great frequency. They called themselves ‘The Cacheteros ‘ (the “Cheeked Ones”) , and they met once a month.  They took turns meeting, a ‘cheek’ in every house.  As a child, I remember us children of ‘The Cacheteros’ also participating in their activities, in the country-houses, the beach, etc.

I would also want to congratulate Noemí, for her professionalism, objectivity, dedication and
honesty. A really admirable woman! 

I am going to look for some portrait of my father to add it to the website. Thank you again.

El 14 de mayo, asistí a la proyección del documental “los borinqueños”, en la Sala Iberia de la Casa de América en Madrid, España.  Me llamó la atención la numerosa asistencia de espectadores puertorriqueños y españoles que nos congregamos para ver dicho documental, e incluso el número de asistentes que permanecimos pare el coloquio posterior a la proyección.

Todo el acto fue muy interesante, y aporta luz sobre un hecho y unas personas, el Regimiento 65 de infantería, que debería ser más conocido, por los puertorriqueños, y por los españoles como yo.

El motivo de escribir estas letras no es informarla sobre lo que sin duda usted conoce mejor que yo.  El motivo es aplaudir que en España, se de a conocer a Puerto Rico, ya que en mi opinión, es el gran desconocido de Centroamérica y el Caribe para mis compatriotas, y tal vez por mi cariño a su Isla y a los años en los que he estado ligado profesionalmente a Puerto Rico, me gustaría que aquí se conociera a Borinquén, no solo como destino turístico, sino como el pueblo admirable en valores e historia que es.

Creo que como me pasó a mi, conocer a Puerto Rico, es quererlo, y desearía que España tuviera la ocasión de conocer más a Puerto Rico.

Un cordial saludo.

Translation:

On May 14th, I attended the screening of the documentary  THE BORINQUENEERS at the Iberian Room of Casa de America in Madrid, Spain.  I was impressed by the attendance of a number of Puerto Rican and Spanish spectators that congregated to see the above mentioned documentary, and even by the large number of those who remained to participate in the question-and-answer session after the screening.

The whole presentation was very interesting, and it sheds light on some deeds and some persons, the 65th Infantry Regiment, which should be more well-known not only by Puerto Ricans, but by Spaniards such as me.

My reason for writing this note is not to inform you about something which you undoubtedly know better than I.  My motive is to applaud and encourage that in Spain more be known about Puerto Rico, since in my opinion, for my compatriots it is the great unknown treasure of Central America and the Caribbean. And perhaps because of my fondness of the Island and because of the many years I have been linked professionally to Puerto Rico, I would like it if here in Spain, Borinquén were known, not only as tourist destination, but also for its admirable people rich in values and history.

I believe that as it happened to me, to know Puerto Rico is to love it, and I wish Spain would have the opportunity to know more about Puerto Rico.

A cordial greeting.

I purchased a stamp from El Viejo San Juan, of the Borinqueneers. I.showed my grandfather who was in that war and in the division. He read the information that was on the stamp and he says all the information is correct, except that they were not reserves. Thank you for all the valuable information amd documenting this piece of history.

Reply: Thanks for the verification.  We reported what the photographer stated in his interview.  Apparently he thought they were a “Puerto Rican Reserve Unit” but we suspect he was referring to the 65th Infantry Regiment.

I recently came across an old photo of my great Uncle from Puerto Rico, who was wearing an army uniform while standing next to a Tank. I noticed the word “Borinqueneers” was written on the tank, so I decided to google it, which led me to this site. I will most def. buy this DVD to learn more about the role Puerto Ricans played in the US Army.

My wife and I just saw the movie and was very prood of being a Puerto Rician and thank you for sharing all the facts and this video. I was born in Aguadilla and raised in Nwe York and like these men proodly served our county as US citizen and Puerto Rican. I find it very shameful that not one of these men was ever awarded the Medal of Honor that we feel should have been given to anyone of these men. I will shared my feelings with the current administration in Washington, D.C. because the is truly an injustice but not surprising the way Puerto Ricans are treated. These men were right in say we are very prood to serve…

Col. Escibano(Huiso) was my Tac. Officer in the R.O.T.C. An amazing and gracious man.

I myself a Navy Veteran as my twin brother..The Gonzalez Family comes from a long line of Veterans.. Army Navy and The Usmc.. I was moved by this film it was well protrayed.. I was moved by the way each member spoke about his trails and tribulations of the war..it was a wonderful history lesson made me PROUD of bieng of Puerto Rican decent… i recommend this film to be watched and used as a history lesson of the youth today whom probably have no idea this regiment exsisted bravo to all GOD BLESS PUERTO RICO… Daniel Gonzalez BM3 USN Veteran…

I have read many of the commments listed about the Borinqueneers. My Father Emilio Morales Gonzalez joined in 1950-51 from Ft Buchanan. My Father comes from Ciales and my Mother from Orocovis. Jibaros (Hillbillies) and i am very Proud of every Puerto Rican who has servered and is still serving. I am a retired HMC (FMF). A Hospital Corpsman whom served out of 23 years, a little over 18 years with the USMC, from the Grunts to Recon to 3 front line tours.. I state this because if my Father had not joined during the Korean Conflict me and my brothers would have never had the life i have today… And God Bless every Borinqueneers.. Without YOU there would be no us that have served in Vietnam, Beruit, Kosovo, Panama, Desert Shield/Storm and Iraq and Afganistan. I served from 1983 to 2007 and have researched and read everything i could about the Proud Bornqueneers… Your Struggle & Fight is what keep us going.. My Brother MSGT Miguel Gonzales (Combat Medic), just retired and he has been on the Front lines also.. So Thank You and the people whom researched and put this together so the Legacy still lives of the Borinqueneers… i want my children here in the U.S. to know and keep it alive and yes i do take them to Puerto Rico every year so they dont forget there Proud Heritage… Semeper Fi… Vivat Jesus

I understand Miguels feelings about the service of our Puerto Rican soldiers, I had the same feelings myself and have personally experienced racism, however; I do not share his conclusion about the so called “American Reality”. It is actually a WORLD reality, including Puerto Rico where Puerto Ricans who speak Spanish with an accent, like myself, are called “Newyorkricans” and told to “go back home to New York”. During my military service and life experience I have learned their is hatred and discrimination ALL OVER the world, not just the United States. The only place you will find the perfect world is in Heaven. At least in the USA they are actively trying to right the many wrongs they have committed in the past. In my lifetime I have seen much progress. It is true the USA invaded Puerto Rico and we were a colony for many years, but since 1952 Puerto Rico again and again has freely chosen it present political status. I believe most of the Borinqueneers of the 65th Infantry were volunteer soldiers. Soldiers do not get to chose which wars they will fight. In addition, by freely chosing to continue to be part of the USA, Puerto Ricans automatically had to serve in its wars. As a Christian I believe the response to ignorance and racism is forgiveness and educating those you come in contact with. Chosing the path of hatred turns you into the very people you despise.