[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 86 (Wednesday, May 21, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E469]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE MEMORY OF ALL THE SOLDIERS OF PUERTO RICO ON MEMORIAL DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. PABLO JOSE HERNANDEZ

                             of puerto rico

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 21, 2025

  Mr. HERNANDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with deep respect and 
reverence to honor the memory of all Puerto Rican soldiers who have 
fallen in combat while serving under the flag of the United States of 
America. These brave men and women, generation after generation, 
answered the call of duty and gave the ultimate sacrifice--their 
lives--in defense of the ideals of liberty, justice, and democracy.
  Since World War I, following the enactment of the Jones-Shafroth Act 
in 1917--which granted U.S. citizenship to the people of Puerto Rico--
our island has sent forth its sons and daughters with a steadfast 
commitment to defend this Nation and its most fundamental principles.
  During World War II, approximately 65,000 Puerto Ricans served in 
various capacities, including combat and support roles, across multiple 
theaters of war. In the Korean War, the legacy of the heroic 65th 
Infantry Regiment--known as the ``Borinqueneers''--was forever 
solidified. This segregated unit, composed primarily of Puerto Rican 
soldiers, met the perils of combat with exceptional valor.
  Because of their courage and determination, the ``Borinqueneers'' 
received numerous commendations for their service during the Korean 
War, including two Korean Presidential Unit Citations, 2,771 Purple 
Heart Medals, 606 Bronze Stars, 256 Silver Stars, nine Distinguished 
Service Crosses, and the Medal of Honor. In 2014, this Honorable 
Chamber awarded them the Congressional Gold Medal--one of the Nation's 
highest civilian honors.
  In the Vietnam War, approximately 48,000 Puerto Ricans served, with 
over 455 making the ultimate sacrifice. Puerto Rican service members 
have continued to serve honorably in conflicts such as the Gulf War, 
operations in the Balkans, Iraq, Afghanistan, and in various 
humanitarian and peacekeeping missions globally. These individuals were 
not only soldiers; they were fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, 
brothers, students, farmers, laborers, professionals, and dreamers. 
Each of them carried with them the cultural identity and dignity of our 
people. Their lives and sacrifices are living proof that the greatness 
of a Nation is also measured by the courage and commitment of those who 
defend it--regardless of their place of birth or the language they 
speak.
  This coming Monday, May 26, 2025, we will commemorate Memorial Day 
under the theme: ``Past, Present, and Future--Honor, Sacrifice, and 
Legacy.'' These words embody the spirit of this solemn day and the 
shared responsibility we all bear to preserve the memory of our heroes, 
to recognize their enduring impact on our institutions, and to sow the 
seeds of their legacy in future generations.
  Today, I enter into the Record the eternal gratitude of the people of 
Puerto Rico. Every flag flown at half-staff, every family photo placed 
with reverence on a shelf, every name etched in stone is a solemn 
pledge that we will never forget their service, their sacrifice, or 
their profound love of country.
  May the United States Congress, and our grateful Nation, forever 
honor the memory of Puerto Rican soldiers who have fallen in battle. 
May their legacy continue to guide us in the ongoing pursuit of a more 
just, more free, and more inclusive society--one for which they gave 
their lives.