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National Borinqueneers Day commemoration at Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park to honor local veterans

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Wed, Apr 12th 2023 06:40 pm

The Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park will host a National Borinqueneers Day Commemoration at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 13. The outdoor event will take place at the Western New York Hispanic Veterans Memorial, and it is free and open to the public.

In collaboration with the WNY Hispanic Veterans Memorial Committee, the Hispanic Heritage Council of Western New York, and the American Legion Gabriel A. Rodriguez Post 1928, the National Borinqueneers Day Commemoration will honor all local veterans who served in the 65th Infantry Regiment. Congressman Brian Higgins will present military medals posthumously to the family of Buffalo-native Pedro Rodriguez DeJesus. The names of all local Borinqueneers, both living and deceased, will be read during a wreath-laying ceremony.

National Borinqueneers Day is commemorated each year on April 13 to honor the 65th Infantry Regiment, a unit of predominantly Puerto Rican soldiers who fought in World War I, World War II and the Korean War. In 2020, Congress passed the National Defense Authorization Act, which included legislation supporting April 13 as National Borinqueneers Day. The U.S. celebrated the first National Borinqueneers Day on April 13, 2021.

Amongst its many decorations, members of the 65th Infantry earned more than 10 Distinguished Service Crosses, 258 Silver Stars, 628 Bronze Stars, 2,771 Purple Hearts, several citations and commendations, and received the Congressional Gold Medal in 2016.

About Buffalo and Erie County Military & Naval Park

The Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is the nation’s largest inland naval park and the home of four U.S. Naval vessels: USS The Sullivans, USS Little Rock, USS Croaker and PTF-17. Located on Buffalo’s waterfront, this unique family destination is committed to its mission, which is to honor, educate, inspire and preserve. The Buffalo Naval & Military Park also features a museum, United States military exhibits, and a manicured Veterans Park with 15 monuments and memorials dedicated to those who served this country. More information is available at www.BuffaloNavalPark.org.

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