Sasha Saliba
In Motion Staff Writer
Daytona State College celebrated the start of Hispanic Heritage Month with a tribute and historical lecture on the U.S. Army’s 65th Infantry Regiment, the “Borinqueneers,” an all-Hispanic military unit that was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal just last year.
The story of the Borinqueneers is one “fit for a Hollywood movie,” said Frank Medina, the keynote speaker at the tribute on Sept. 16. Formed in 1899, they were the largest and last segregated unit in combat, along with being the longest standing one, ending in 1956.
“Borinqueneer” comes from the indigenous name of the island of Puerto Rico, where most of the soldiers were from. According to Joe Perez, a member of the audience and former Commissioner of Deltona, the soldiers were “treated badly by the commanders and not able to vote.” But that didn’t stop them from fighting hard and playing prominent roles in World War I, World War II and the Korean War.
Medina, was also a West Point graduate, former U.S. Army captain, Iraq War veteran and national chair of the Borinqueneers Congressional Gold Medal Alliance. It was in 2012 that he decided that this story was too important to leave in the shadows. He created a volunteer group to advocate for the Borinqueneers across the nation. With this support he embarked on a 22-month journey, finally resulting in the Congressional Gold Medal for the group being awarded by President Barack Obama in June 2014.
It is the highest civilian award, equivalent to the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The last Latino recipient was Roberto Clemente, former baseball player for the Pittsburgh Pirates, who was awarded the medal in 1973.
“We need to bring more awareness to the Hispanic community in our country,” said Perez.
What does the future hold for the Hispanic community?
“School curriculums, libraries, movies, cultural and academic events,” would be a start, Medina said, running down the list. The tribute concluded with testimonies from former Borinqueneers: Command Sergeant Major Hector Perez; Victor Ortiz; and NarcisoVillot. The event was part of Daytona State College’s “Lunch and Learn” series, brought to the College by the Office of Professional Development and Global Education.
Also on the calendar for Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs through Oct. 15, is a free demonstration by Flamenco del Sol, an Orlando-based dance company that is nationally recognized for its authentic rhythm and dance. It will perform on Wednesday, Oct. 7, from 11 to 11:30 a.m. in the Student Landing on the Daytona Beach Campus, outside the Lenholdt Student Center, Bld. 130. Following the presentation, will be a free flamenco workshop at 12:30 p.m. in Davidson Hall, Bld. 340, room 116.
For more information on Hispanic Heritage Month visit http://www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov/