BUFFALO, N.Y. — April 13 is National Borinqueneers Day, which honors Puerto Rican veterans who served in the 65th Regiment.

For Puerto Ricans in upstate New York, keeping culture alive, and remembering it, is important. 

What You Need To Know

  • In 2014, then-President Barack Obama awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to the United States Army’s 65th Regiment that consisted of Puerto Rican soldiers and officers

  • April 13 is National Borinqueneers Day to highlight the 65th regiment and honor those veterans

  • National Borinqueneers Day recognizes the sacrifices of Puerto Ricans who fought in World War I, World War II and the Korean War

“I was born in Guayama, Puerto Rico and my family relocated here in the 50s, and I went through high school and I was drafted into the Army. I served as a medic in Vietnam and returned. And I attended the University [at] Buffalo,” said Ventura Colon, a veteran and the president of the Hispanic American Veterans Monument. 

And for those who had family members who served in the 65th Regiment of the United States, April 13 is a day of honoring them. 

“We have a special recognition to the 65th Infantry Regiment, a total regiment made up of Puerto Ricans from the island, and they served in all the wars, World War I, World War II [and] the Korean War. There it was exceptional. And they were called the Borinqueneer,” Colon said. 

Congress designated April 13 as National Borinqueneers Day in 2021 to recognize the sacrifices of Puerto Ricans who fought in World War I, World War II and the Korean War. 

“It’s very important because they were not recognized at all and they were segregated. And so this is why we’re here today to celebrate and honor them as men that served our country,” said Marcelina Rodriguez Rondon, member of the American Legion Auxiliary Gabriel A. Rodriguez. 

A monument built in the city of Buffalo stands as a reminder of the 65th regiment all year long. 

“Here at the bottom, you see that it says in gratitude to all Western New York Hispanic American veterans for their service and then we have a kneeling soldier, and the boots and the hat representing a fallen soldier and paying tribute to that,” Colon said. 

It's giving Puerto Rican veterans the recognition and honor they deserve for their service. 

“It's a wonderful feeling to have them recognized. And it's a wonderful feeling for our children of tomorrow, of course. And our grandchildren, so that they will come back and also celebrate their honor,” said Rodriguez Rondon. 

“I can't say enough how proud I am, and we all are, to have this monument,” Colon said.