Mayor Domenic J. Sarno in coordination with Executive Director of the Bilingual Veterans Outreach Centers of Massachusetts, Inc. Gumersindo Gomez held the fourth annual flag raising ceremony to acknowledge and honor National Borrinqueñeer's Day in the City of Springfield. Veterans Services Director Joe DeCaro, Councilor Lavar Click Bruce, Board of Police Commissioner Norman Roldan, New North Citizens Council (NNCC) COO, José Claudio, City Hall Facility Manager Al Rodriguez, state Representatives Carlos Gonzales and Orlando Ramos, and Lamari Jackson, aide to state Senator Adam Gomez were also in attendance today.
In 2021, Congress declared that April 13th will be designated as National Borrinqueñeer's Day, to “recognize the bravery, service, and sacrifice” of the 65th Infantry Regiment, a U.S. Army unit that consisted mostly of soldiers from Puerto Rico. April 13th marks the day that members of the Borrinqueñeer's received the Congressional Gold Medal in 2016.
Mayor Sarno states, “National Borrinqueñeer's Day pays tribute to the bravery, service, sacrifices, and adversities that our honorable Puerto Rican and Hispanic soldiers overcame while serving our country and beyond. Today, we are proud to recognize and honor the brave and dedicated members of the 65th Infantry Regiment. Their contributions to our nation’s history is significant and well deserving of this honor and recognition. Thank you to Gumersindo Gomez for his unrelenting advocacy on behalf of the Borrinqueñeer's and our community. It was an honor, and very emotional, to have to have Mr. Antonio Morales there today and to have Maria and Alfonso Acuna there representing their father Mr. Victor Rosario who is 99 years old, and ‘boy do they have great handshakes too’ – I’d hate to catch a backhand from them! God speed and thank you for your service.”
