The City of Springfield, in coordination with Executive Director of the Bilingual Veterans Outreach Centers of Massachusetts, Inc. Gumersindo Gomez joined for Springfield’s fifth annual flag raising ceremony to acknowledge and honor National Borrinqueñeer's Day / 65th Infantry Regiment Day in the City of Springfield.
Director of Veteran’s Services Constituent Services, Genesis Velez, on behalf of Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, brought greetings. Also in attendance was Director of Veteran’s Services, Joe DeCaro State Senator Adam Gomez, State Representatives Carlos Gonzalez and Bud Williams, City Council Vice President Tracye Whitfield, City Councilor Jose Delgado, and School Committee Member Joesiah Gonzalez.
Mayor Sarno and the City also joined in honoring the life and life, legacy, and memory of Victor M. Rosario, who was one of our brave soldiers who served during the Korean War as a Private, First Class with the 65th Infantry Regiment, and participated in the service, sacrifice, and valor of our Puerto Rican community members who have long been part of our nation's military history.
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. God speed and thank you for your service.”
Mayo Sarno continued, “Thank you to Gumersindo Gomez, a proud Vietnam Veteran, for his unrelenting advocacy on behalf of the Borrinqueñeer's and our community. We are so honored that two surviving local Borrinqueñeers were able to see the country and city recognize this important day: Mr. Antonio Morales and Mr. Victor Rosario. Sadly, one of those surviving members of the 65th Infantry Regiment, Victor Rosario, passed earlier this year. His memory will forever be cherished, and his absence deeply felt by all who had the privilege of knowing and loving him.”
