Our most recent effort to raise completion funds for our documentary film THE PUERTO RICAN SOLDIER took place on November 18th at the Verizon Auditorium in New York City where dozens of latino professsionals attended this private screening sponsored by the Hispanic Latino Diversity Committee of HSBC, Verizon’s Hispanic Support Group, the Veterans Advisory Board of Verizon, the National Hispanic Bar Association (NHBA), the Dominican Bar Association and the Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting. $1,570 was raised in donations with another $1,200 in pledges to be collected. We will report the final tally in our next newsletter. An appeal was also made for possible contacts in major corporate sponsorships. The excitement in the air was contagious as people were moved by the touching film and by the opportunity to meet and speak to special invited 65th veterans: Israel Montalvo, Jaime López and Eugenio Quevedo. This event would not have been made possible without the tireless work and planning of NHBA member, Margie Echevarria, Esq., Marc Soto (Diversity Manager at Verizon) and Associate Producer William Cruz. I’d like to thank them and the volunteers who helped us: SFC Angel Cordero (Ret.), Lisa Cordero, Angel Nuñez, Mirna Rodríguez, Dora Torres, Silvana Velásquez, Alicia Marquéz, José Soberal, Brenda Medina, Nohemy Rojas, Nelson Espinal, Francesca Smith, Kirk Germán, Martín López and Sam Delgado.

Guests view the photographic display.

Boricua Agenda Summit – May 22, 2004

On May 22nd, the Boricua Agenda Summit took place at Rutgers University in New Jersey sponsored by various organizations, including the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration, Verizon and others. A few hundred attended about a dozen workshops on everything from gaining ground politically to building a small business. About 15 of the state's 38 elected officials of Puerto Rican descent gathered for a roundtable. And archivists and historians talked about efforts to preserve Puerto Rican history. We conducted a workshop which included a screening of THE PUERTO RICAN SOLDIER followed by a question-and-answer session with invited 65 th Infantry veterans: Jaime López , Eugenio Quevedo, Israel Montalvo and Tony de la Rosa Meléndez (sadly, this would be his last appearance before his untimely death) . Associate Producer, William Cruz, informed the audience of the current Challenge Grant he had offered and made an appeal for donations raising over $800 in pledges and donations. We would like to thank The Boricua Agenda Summit Steering Committee, including Gloria Soto, José Acevedo and Lucy Perez for inviting us to participate and for donating $1,000 to our documentary project. Our volunteers that day, SFC Angel Cordero (Ret.), Maj. Sam Degaldo (Ret.), William Cruz and Mark Soto also did a terrific job in setting up the display and merchandise tables and providing transportation for the veterans!

From left to right : SFC Angel Cordero (ret.), William Cruz, Tony de la Rosa Meléndez, Noemi Figueroa, Jaime López, Maj. Sam Delgado (Ret.), Eugenio Quevedo. Missing in photo Israel Montalvo.	Presentation of $1,000 donation to El Pozo Productions. From right to left: Jesús Aponte, Gloria Soto, Noemí Figueroa, MariCarmen Aponte (Director of the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration) and 65 th Infantry veterans, Tony de la Rosa Meléndez, Jaime López, Israel Montalvo and Eugenio Quevedo.

Question and answer session with 65th veterans.	Photographic exhibit and attendees speaking to 65th veterans.	William Cruz appealing for donations.

Puerto Rican Parade of Trenton – July 26, 2004

And on July 26 th, the Puerto Rican Day Parade of Trenton (NJ) invited us to participate at their cultural event in celebration of Puerto Rican Week and Cultural Day with a screening of THE PUERTO RICAN SOLDIER work-in-progress. Invited 65 th Infantry veterans included Israel Montalvo, Jaime López and Eugenio Quevedo (all from New York ), Wendell Vega (of Hasbrouck Heights , NJ ) and CSM Guillermo Lanzo (Ret.) (of Pemberton , NJ ) who spoke openly about their war experiences to the attentive guests. Lanzo in particular served in the Army for 31 years retiring as Command Sergeant Major, the highest rank a non-commissioned officer can attain. The veterans were also invited to ride in their own float in the parade which took place on August 1 st. Boxing champion José “Chegui” Torres was the godfather of the parade and boxing referee Joe Cortes was the Grand Marshall. Our thanks to the Committee of The Puerto Rican Parade of Trenton, its President Idamis Perez-Margicin and Nilda García, its Executive Secretary, for their hard work in organizing these activities. We had a wonderful time and are extremely grateful for their generous $1,000 donation. A special thanks to my ever-present volunteer, SFC Angel Cordero (Ret.).

Standing, from left to right : Jaime López, Wendell Vega, Eugenio Quevedo, Marcie Rodriguez (Queen of the Parade), CSM Guillermo Lanzo (Ret.), Israel Montalvo. Sitting, from left to right: Some Parade Committee Members: Aida Vazquez, Suaina Cabanas, Alma Cruz Perez (kneeling), Idamis Perez-Margicin, Nilda Garcia and Noemi Figueroa, filmmaker.	The Puerto Rican Parade of Trenton, NJ on Aug. 1, 2004
65th veterans ride in their own float.	From left to right : Israel Montalvo, Eugenio Quevedo, Guillermo Lanzo, Jose “Chegui” Torres (Godfather of Parade), Joe Cortes (Grand Marshall), Wendell Vega and Jaime López.

A Challenge to Make a Difference

By William Cruz

On October of 2001, I attended a preview of the documentary The Puerto Rican Soldier being produced by El Pozo Productions at the Julia de Burgos Center in Manhattan . I was touched by this incredible documentary and went through a whirlwind of emotions during those two hours. I was surprised to learn about the “hidden” history and accomplishments of the 65th during the Korean War. I felt immense pride at the acts of courage and cried to hear of the sacrifices made by these Puerto Rican soldiers. And I felt anger, hurt and outrage to hear about the mistreatment and lack of recognition of these Borinqueneers. I left that day a changed person. Today I feel I've learned more about my identity as a Puerto Rican and as a Latino in the U.S.

Feeling inspired, I even gave a lecture on the 65th to ASPIRA students during the Latin American History Seminar Series at Trenton High School in New Jersey in January 2002. During that lecture, Borinqueneers Command Sargeant Major Guillermo Lanzo (Ret.), Master Sergeant Porfirio Torres-Gonzalez (Ret.) and Asuncion Santiago joined me and spoke to the students. The experience was profound for the students and for me. Realizing how vital it is for others to also learn about the 65th Infantry Regiment, I have in the past provided financial support to El Pozo Productions towards this noble project.

However, the incoming flow of money has subsided and there is a real danger that this documentary may not be completed. An additional $60,000 is required for editing and post-production expenses. Now it is up to you and me. Can we count on your help? Let’s do our share. To help raise a portion of these necessary funds and to encourage others to do the same, I am providing a challenge grant to El Pozo Productions. A challenge grant is a way of providing monies in response to monies from other sources. I will grant $100 to El Pozo Productions for every $300 donated by you, our supporters, between April 15 and July 15 of 2004. My total goal and contribution is to grant up to $1,500 and to raise at least $6,000 (which will pay for approximately 3 weeks of editing).

Unfortunately, like me, many other people have never heard of the 65th. This film documents a hidden gem of history; of military history, of Puerto Rican history, of American history and most importantly, of the history of Latinos in the U.S. It is crucial that this documentary be completed so it can be televised and used as a tool by teachers and professors to educate America of the role Latinos have played in the military. My only connection to this project is the sincere desire to see it completed so that the 65th's rightful place in American history can be documented in film for future generations.

If you believe in this project, I challenge you to make a difference! Now is the time to act! We need your help! Please help ensure the film documentation of the courageous legacy of the 65th by sending your $100 or more donations to El Pozo Productions today. Use the donation form at the bottom of this page to send your tax-deductible contribution.

William Cruz resides in Eatontown, NJ and is a community leader who has served on the Board of Aspira of NJ, the board of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers of New Jersey and is a past reviewer for the National Hispanic Scholarship Fund.

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