Hispanic veterans group fundraises for Borinqueneers monument in Perth Amboy

From staff reports
·2 min read

PERTH AMBOY – A fundraising event will be held Sept. 21 in an effort to raise $5 million to develop a veterans monument and community park in the city.

The Borinqueneers Park Education Alliance will host a screening of the documentary “The Borinqueneers” at 7 p.m. Sept. 21 at the Barrymore Film Center and Museum, 153 Main St., Fort Lee. Tickets for the event range from $50 to $250 and can be purchased here.

Narrated by actor Hector Elizondo, the PBS documentary tells the triumphs and struggles of the Borinqueneers’ 65th Infantry Regiment, an all-Puerto Rican unit, during the Korean War.

Proceeds will support the construction of a veterans monument at Borinqueneer Park in Perth Amboy, honoring the 65th Infantry Regiment. The six-acre park will be built on the site of a former scrap metal yard on Second Street, along the Raritan River.

Sam Delgado, chairman of the Borinqueneers Park Education Alliance, is leading the fundraising efforts and is excited to see the project come to fruition.

“This is a significant moment, not just for the Puerto Rican community, but for the Hispanic and military communities at large,” Delgado said. “People will love the film, and they’ll love the park as well. It will serve both as a tribute to those brave soldiers and as a beautiful waterfront space where the community can gather.”

Members of the 65th Infantry Regiment pose for a photo after a firefight during the Korean War. The regiment consisted primarily of Puerto Rican soldiers who spoke mainly Spanish and prided themselves on having mustaches. By 1953, the regiment’s soldiers had earned 14 Silver Stars, 23 Bronze Stars for valor and 67 Purple Hearts.
Members of the 65th Infantry Regiment pose for a photo after a firefight during the Korean War. The regiment consisted primarily of Puerto Rican soldiers who spoke mainly Spanish and prided themselves on having mustaches. By 1953, the regiment’s soldiers had earned 14 Silver Stars, 23 Bronze Stars for valor and 67 Purple Hearts.

Actor David Zayas, known for his roles in HBO’s “Dexter” and FX’s “The Bear”, will attend the event to receive the “Caballero Award” from the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey. The award recognizes individuals who demonstrate extraordinary dedication, kindness, and service to the community. Zayas, an Air Force veteran, is an active member of the Puerto Rican community in the New York metro area.

The event is organized in collaboration with the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey, the New Jersey Veterans Chamber of Commerce, and the New Jersey Puerto Rico Commission.

“We’ve been fortunate to have great financial support from both corporate and government organizations for this project,” said Delgado, a retired U.S. Marine Corps major. “I can’t wait for the public to see the results of our hard work to honor these selfless heroes who served with valor.”

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: NJ Hispanic veterans group plans Borinqueneers monument in Perth Amboy

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