Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and the City of Springfield, in coordination with Executive Director of the Bilingual Veterans Outreach Centers of Massachusetts, Inc. led by Gumersindo Gomez join for Springfield’s sixth annual flag raising ceremony to acknowledge and honor National Borrinqueñeer's Day / 65th Infantry Regiment Day in the City of Springfield.
Also in attendance was, Veteran’s Service Director Joe DeCaro, Director of Constituent Services Genesis Velez-Roque, State Senator Adam Gomez, State Representative Carlos Gonzalez, School Committeewoman Ayanna Crawford, and School Committeeman Gumersindo ‘Manny’ Gomez.
Mayor Sarno and the City will also honored Sgt. Antonio Morales,102 years old, who was one of our brave soldiers who served 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, our veterans, 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 last year. His memory will forever be cherished, and his absence deeply felt by all who had the privilege of knowing and loving him. This year, we will pay a special tribute to our last surviving local Borrinqueñeer, Sgt. Antonio Morales.”
