Connecticut Borinqueneers Join Blumenthal For White House Signing Ceremony Honoring Hispanic Infantry Regiment With Congressional Gold Medal
(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) today joined Connecticut Borinqueneers Celestino Cordova of New Haven and Jose Pickard of Wethersfield at a White House signing ceremony of a bill awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to the renowned 65th Infantry Regiment. The segregated military unit, whose members were known as the “Borinqueneers,” was composed almost entirely of soldiers from Puerto Rico and played a prominent role in World War I, World War II and the Korean War. The unit was the last segregated unit to be deactivated.
“I felt deep pride and joy standing with Connecticut Borinqueneers Celestino Cordova and Jose Pickard for this historic moment today as President Obama signed into law the bill to finally grant these brave veterans the national recognition and honor they richly deserve. These Borinqueneers valiantly served and sacrificed for our country, enduring injustice on and off the battlefield. This Congressional Gold Medal is a fitting tribute to the bravery and heroism the Borinqueneers demonstrated abroad and at home,” Blumenthal said. “Extraordinary emotion filled the room—and our hearts—as these courageous warriors and patriots joined the ranks of the Tuskeegee Airmen and Navajo Code Talkers in receiving the Congressional Gold Medal.”
Both Cordova and Pickard are Korean War veterans.