| MIAMI,
FLORIDA: |
| 
PROFESA Board Members
Left to right: Evelyn Martínez, Dr. Edwin Cordero,
Bobby Ibarra, Luis A.Torres and Lynn Muñoz
(not all members are in photo).
|
On May 10,
2002, PROFESA (Puerto Rican Professional Association
of South Florida), one of the largest Puerto
Rican organizations in South Florida sponsored a benefit
on behalf of "The Puerto Rican Soldier"
as well as their local ASPIRA organization with a
wonderful concert performance from the acclaimed Coro
de Campanas de Puerto Rico, a hand bell choir
group based in Puerto Rico. There was also a presentation
and video screening on the 65th Infantry conducted
by Producer Noemi Figueroa Soulet. More than 200 people
attended this event at the Arthur Ashe Auditorium,
James L. Knight Center in downtown Miami. Special
guests included 65th Infantry veterans Pedro
Santana and Sgt. Jose Luis Torres (Ret.)
of Miami, Sgt. Jose Mercado (Ret.)
of Kissimmee, Sgt. Ramon Torres Villafañe
(Ret.) of Tampa. We would like to thank President
Raul Duany (a veteran himself) and PROFESA's
board members for organizing this event and for their
generous donation of $650. For more information on
PROFESA, please visit their website at www.profesa.org.
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Coro de Campanas de Puerto Rico,
a unique hand bell choir performed for the guests. |
Guests during the reception hour
viewing an exhibit by Puerto Rican artists. |
"The Puerto Rican Soldier"
display of merchandise
and photos. |
65th Inf. Veterans who attended.
From left to right: Sgt. José Luis Torres (Ret.),
Sgt. José Mercado (Ret.), Pedro Santana, Sgt.
Ramón Torres Villafañe (Ret.). |
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| READING, PENNSYLVANIA: |
65th Inf. veterans who attended
from left to right: Israel Montalvo, Eugenio Quevedo,
Wendell Vega, Jaime Lopez, Raymond Muñoz and
Tony de la Rosa Melendez
(photo: Wendell Vega) |
From left to right: Commandant Sgt.
Joe Ayala (Ret.)
and Vice-Commandant Angel Hernández of Borinqueneers-American
Legion Post 872.
(photo: John A. Secoges/Reading Eagle) |
On August 3, 2002, the newly-chartered Borinqueneers-American
Legion Post 872 became the first Latino veterans post
in Reading Pennsylvania. Named in honor of the 65th Inf.
Regt., a dedication ceremony and street fair took place
at 700 Pennsylvania Street. Guest speakers included Mayor
Joseph Eppiheimer and Producer Noemi Figueroa
Soulet along with a video screening of "The Puerto
Rican Soldier." Special invited guests included 65th
Infantry veterans Raymond Muñoz (who
drove from Virginia), Eugenio Quevedo, Jose Antonio
de la Rosa Melendez, Jaime Lopez, Israel Montalvo
and Wendell Vega of the New York/New Jersey
area who were honored as lifetime charter members. There
was delicious Puerto Rican food and music was provided by
Triple V Entertainment. The event was organized by Commandant
Sgt. Joe Ayala (Ret.) (a retired Marine)
and Vice Commandant Angel Hernandez. Although
this event was a benefit for us, no donation has been forthcoming
from Borinqueneers-American Legion Post 872.
The street fair. (photo: Wendell
Vega) |
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| HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT:
|
| On September 14th, we celebrated Hispanic
Heritage Month in Hartford, Connecticut with the Hispanic
Professional Network (HPN), an organization comprised
of Hispanic professionals. This year they honored our Latino
heroes in uniform and included a special presentation on
the 65th Inf. Regt. by Producer Noemi Figueroa Soulet.
It was a fun-filled evening with the popular musical group
Plena Libre performing at this gala event at the
Bushnell's New Autorino Great Hall and Belding Theatre.
We would like to thank President Gil Martinez
and Juan Cruz for inviting us and pledging
a $250 donation. For more information about HPN, visit their
website at www.hpn-ct.org
or call (860) 989-1759.
|
On September 14, 2002, Juan Cruz (left) of the HPN presented a special award to 65th vet, Nicolás Jiménez (right). Nicolás is a long-time resident of Hartford and one of the few survivors of the annihilated Company "B" that fought at Kelly Hill.
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We welcome and invite other individuals or organizations
to organize local community fundraisers on our behalf. We
truly believe that with the help of our community and those
who are committed in helping to make "The Puerto Rican
Soldier" a reality, we will succeed. If you are one
of these people, now is the time to act!! Please help us
and support this worthy project! |
| The Puerto Rican Society: |
| Connecticut continues being very supportive of our project. The Puerto Rican Society of New Britain, Connecticut honored their Puerto Rican veterans on November 23 at a dinner at 152 High Street. One of the veterans present was Sgt. Dolores Nieves (Ret.), of “B” Co. who served with the 65th from 1950-53. The Juvenile Club performed a plena dance and there was dancing and music by Ramo Bonet and Trio Romance. A special thanks to President Hector Ortiz and Manuel Reyes for organizing this event and donating $150 to help us in our efforts. |
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FOR LINKS TO OUR OTHER EVENTS CLICK HERE |
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