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Well my father is in a bike group called Borinqueneers they do fundraisers and alot of charity and theirs a guy in their thats always telling us what happend over their and i think all of those guys are heros.The bike group is lacated in Connecticut, Florida, Puerto Rico, New York and many more states.
Carlos M. Fraticelli
Orlando, FL | December 16, 2007
I saw the film, I was born in Nov.7,1950 Rodriguez hospital Ft. Brook San Juan PR. My father Carlos E. Fraticelli- Rosado joined the 296th Ponce,PR. Nacional Guard in or around 1939,was send to Korea with the 65th Infantry Regiment at the beinning of 1950. He retired as Master Sargent in 1963,just before he was schedule for Republic of Vietnam training to be send to Vietnam as Military Adviser.
ALVIN HERNANDEZ
New Jersey | December 14, 2007
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF YOU GUYS HAVE A LIST OF ALL BORINQUENEERS WHO SERVED IN KOREA? MY EMAIL IS RONDI1@YAHOO.COM
Response: As far as we know, there is no one list that exists which contains the names of ALL those who served in the 65th Infantry Regiment. There are lists of those who received medals or were wounded or killed (visit koreanwar.org).
Fernando Luis Reyes
elyunketrail@yahoo.com | December 13, 2007
My name is Fernando Luis Reyes Im a 100% PUERTORICAN and proud of it. In September of 1952, I was inducted into the USARMY. I was shipped to the US for basic training. I was trained as a MEDIC at CAMP PICKETT,VIRGINIA. After basic training, I was transferred to serve with the SIX ARMY in California. I was stationed at an ARMY PRISION called U.S.D.B.or better known as UNITED STATES DICIPLINARY BARRACKS in the small city of LOMPOC, CALIFORNIA. As fate would have it, and in this place, thosands of miles from PUERTO RICO and also from KOREA, I unknowingly played a very small role in the lives of small number of THE 65TH INFANTRY REGIMENT who had been imprissioned there. The number, I dont know how many there were, maybe twenty five or so. It was at the HOSPITAL WING, I fist met __________(name removed), one of THE 65TH INFANTRY PRISIONERS. He was a hospital TRUSTEE And He worked as a courrier within the three story building. He told me he was one of several belonging to the REGIMENT. They had been COURTMARTIALLED and charged AS COWARDS for refusing to fight the enemy. CAN YOU IMAGINE SUCH LIE? PUERTORICANS MAY BE CALLED ANY NAME IN THE BOOK BUT, COWARDS WE ARE NOT. THAT IS LIKE SPITTING A MAN IN THE FACE. Anyway, to make a long story short,________ came to me one day, all excited, jubilant, with a shinning facial expression and said Fernando,all the CHARGES against US have been dropped. We have been reinstated to THE ARMED FORCES, We will get our rank back and we will get ALL our pay retroactively. We will be RELEASED TONIGHT. But they set a number of conditions to our release. WE WILL BY NO MEANS CONTACT THE MEDIA. WE WILL REMAIN WITHIN THE ENLISTED MENS BOUNDERIES. WE WILL NOT CONTACT RELATIVES OR FRIENDS WITH THE NEWS OF OUR RELEASE. Guess what? did they follow the rules? HELL NO----ALL HELL BROKE LOOSE. THE NOW FREE MEMBERS OF THE 65TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, HEADED FOR THE SMALL TOWN OF LOMPOC AND PAINTED IT RED AND I MEAN RED. Next day they were bussed to LAX where the SUPER HAPPY MEN boarded a plane for PUERTO RICO to start new lives. By the way,________, I PRAY YOU ARE WELL. UN FUERTE ABRAZO DE MI PARTE, Fernando, elyunketrail@yahoo.com
We have removed the name listed in this message to protect the Puerto Rican soldier's privacy. Many of the court martialed soldiers have never revealed what happened to them - even to their own family. Names are only revealed by El Pozo Productions once permission has been granted to do so. We thank you for your entry and for sharing this wonderful story!
Herman Martinez
Cerritos, CA | December 10, 2007
When I was a little boy in the early 50's, the topic of discussion at family gatherings was the war in Korea. As I was shuttled back and forth from the mainland to Puerto Rico, the only thing I heard was that Puerto Ricans were either being drafted or fighting in Korea. I, therefore, concluded that "all Puerto Ricans were fighting in Korea." While I was watching your wonderful documentary, I thought to myself that I was not that far from the truth.
Carlos Cartagena
El Paso, Texas | December 10, 2007
Noemi Figueroa Soulet;
I would just like to congratulate you for a great documentary. I also would like to thank you in for honoring the veterans of the 65th and in particular featuring my grandfather Modesto Cartagena. My grandfather is the most humble and proudest man I have ever known. He is my true life Hero. My grandfather recently has recently has not been in the best of health. Due to his fighting spirit he is still with us. I just hope the Dept. of Defense stops procrastinating and gives my grandfather the Medal of Honor which rightfully deserves since April of 1951. It was great to see a documentary featuring Puerto Rican efforts defending our country. I would always get frustrated seeing other documentaries of WWII, Korea and never seeing anything mentioned of the 65th. Hopefully with this documentary eyes are opened. On another note, I would publicly like to thank the Borinqueneers Motorcycle club out of Connecticut for going to Puerto Rico and meeting my grandfather and giving him recognition and the clubs vest. Again great job Noemi a big hug from me and the rest of the Cartagena family!!!!
Carlos Lopez
Killeen, Texas / from Guayama P.R. | December 04, 2007
I am looking forward to seeing this movie, I am retired with 20 years of service in the U.S. Army and I can say that the Puerto Rican soldier is one of the greatest soldiers. I have alway told my son that I did not understand why there wasn't a movie about the 65th. I am glad to know that there is one. I thank God for my only family member to serve in the 65th, Roberto Vasquez of Guayama P.R. "Tio" I am proud of you and thanks for your service.
Ivette Velazquez
Brooklyn, NY | December 03, 2007
Dear Noemi Figueroa Soulet,
I first want to congratulate you and your team for the wonderful and beautiful job that you have accomplished with The Borinqueneers. Words cannot express the pride and love that fills my heart. I’m sure that you have heard this many times but thank you thank you thank you. Your work has allowed me and my siblings to see a side of our father, Rafael Velazquez-Beltran, that he kept to himself. His grandchildren and great grandchildren will be as proud.
With Warmest Regards, La Familia Velazquez
A. Torres
San Jose, California | November 30, 2007
I was flipping through channels last night when I stumbled upon PBS and saw the documentary on the Borinqueneers. I have never heard of the 65th infantry until last night, but I also happen to be Mexican/American and that could also be another reason. I just wanted to thank all my fellow Latino's who gave their lives in those Wars. You made me feel proud to stand here today as a Latina knowing that my people have been playing a part in the US Military since then. My heart/prayers go out to all the Latino military members from back then to the one's who are serving today. You make us proud.
Luis A. Rivera-Alvarez, CMsgt, USAF(RET)
San Antonio, TX | November 25, 2007
Ms. Noemi Figueroa truly did an outstanding job in developing this documentary film. I spent most of my formative years in Puerto Rico and heard many stories aobut the 65th Infantry. This film puts it all into perpective. My donation to PBS is in the mail.
Well my father is in a bike group called Borinqueneers they do fundraisers and alot of charity and theirs a guy in their thats always telling us what happend over their and i think all of those guys are heros.The bike group is lacated in Connecticut, Florida, Puerto Rico, New York and many more states.
I saw the film, I was born in Nov.7,1950 Rodriguez hospital Ft. Brook San Juan PR. My father Carlos E. Fraticelli- Rosado joined the 296th Ponce,PR. Nacional Guard in or around 1939,was send to Korea with the 65th Infantry Regiment at the beinning of 1950. He retired as Master Sargent in 1963,just before he was schedule for Republic of Vietnam training to be send to Vietnam as Military Adviser.
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF YOU GUYS HAVE A LIST OF ALL BORINQUENEERS WHO SERVED IN KOREA?
MY EMAIL IS RONDI1@YAHOO.COM
Response: As far as we know, there is no one list that exists which contains the names of ALL those who served in the 65th Infantry Regiment. There are lists of those who received medals or were wounded or killed (visit koreanwar.org).
We have removed the name listed in this message to protect the Puerto Rican soldier's privacy. Many of the court martialed soldiers have never revealed what happened to them - even to their own family. Names are only revealed by El Pozo Productions once permission has been granted to do so. We thank you for your entry and for sharing this wonderful story!
When I was a little boy in the early 50's, the topic of discussion at family gatherings was the war in Korea. As I was shuttled back and forth from the mainland to Puerto Rico, the only thing I heard was that Puerto Ricans were either being drafted or fighting in Korea. I, therefore, concluded that "all Puerto Ricans were fighting in Korea."
While I was watching your wonderful documentary, I thought to myself that I was not that far from the truth.
Noemi Figueroa Soulet;
I would just like to congratulate you for a great documentary. I also would like to thank you in for honoring the veterans of the 65th and in particular featuring my grandfather Modesto Cartagena. My grandfather is the most humble and proudest man I have ever known. He is my true life Hero. My grandfather recently has recently has not been in the best of health. Due to his fighting spirit he is still with us. I just hope the Dept. of Defense stops procrastinating and gives my grandfather the Medal of Honor which rightfully deserves since April of 1951. It was great to see a documentary featuring Puerto Rican efforts defending our country. I would always get frustrated seeing other documentaries of WWII, Korea and never seeing anything mentioned of the 65th. Hopefully with this documentary eyes are opened. On another note, I would publicly like to thank the Borinqueneers Motorcycle club out of Connecticut for going to Puerto Rico and meeting my grandfather and giving him recognition and the clubs vest. Again great job Noemi a big hug from me and the rest of the Cartagena family!!!!
I am looking forward to seeing this movie, I am retired with 20 years of service in the U.S. Army and I can say that the Puerto Rican soldier is one of the greatest soldiers. I have alway told my son that I did not understand why there wasn't a movie about the 65th. I am glad to know that there is one. I thank God for my only family member to serve in the 65th, Roberto Vasquez of Guayama P.R. "Tio" I am proud of you and thanks for your service.
I first want to congratulate you and your team for the wonderful and beautiful job that you have accomplished with The Borinqueneers. Words cannot express the pride and love that fills my heart. I’m sure that you have heard this many times but thank you thank you thank you. Your work has allowed me and my siblings to see a side of our father, Rafael Velazquez-Beltran, that he kept to himself. His grandchildren and great grandchildren will be as proud.
With Warmest Regards,
La Familia Velazquez
I was flipping through channels last night when I stumbled upon PBS and saw the documentary on the Borinqueneers. I have never heard of the 65th infantry until last night, but I also happen to be Mexican/American and that could also be another reason. I just wanted to thank all my fellow Latino's who gave their lives in those Wars. You made me feel proud to stand here today as a Latina knowing that my people have been playing a part in the US Military since then. My heart/prayers go out to all the Latino military members from back then to the one's who are serving today. You make us proud.
Ms. Noemi Figueroa truly did an outstanding job in developing this documentary film. I spent most of my formative years in Puerto Rico and heard many stories aobut the 65th Infantry. This film puts it all into perpective. My donation to PBS is in the mail.