The Borinqueneers

This project has been the greatest challenge of my life. As a Puerto Rican I’ve always been troubled by the lack of Latino stories and Latino heroes in the media, but it wasn’t until about a decade ago that I felt the impulse to do something about it. Saving Private Ryan, one of the most powerful and realistic depictions of war ever made, had just come out… and, as usual, Latino soldiers were “missing in action”. Why weren’t their experiences being honored and shared?

Growing up in New York I never heard about the 65th. Like so many Puerto Ricans, even those living on the island, I didn’t know we had heroes of our own. The relationship of Puerto Ricans to the U.S. Army is unlike that of other Latinos in the country. We are U.S. citizens, and yet – because of Puerto Rico’s commonwealth status – we can’t vote in U.S. elections. As a result, Puerto Ricans can be drafted but they can’t vote for the commander-in-chief who sends them to war.

It was only after I began to research the Puerto Rican experience in the different wars that I learned about the 65th Infantry Regiment. The so-called Borinqueneers were an elite unit that made its mark particularly in the Korean War and came to represent the pride and fighting spirit of Puerto Ricans – a spirit that to this day drives thousands of them to volunteer, despite their unequal rights. In a military culture that often discriminated against them, the men of the 65th drew strength from their common roots, determined to prove their mettle.

I began contacting and being contacted by veterans of the 65th and their families. They were eager to share their stories and bring recognition to the regiment. Some of them were talking about it for the first time in 50 years. No one had ever asked them about their experience before. Their own sons and daughters knew nothing about it. I was touched, honored, and deeply moved by their honesty and generosity.

It took about nine years to finish the film. Whenever I wavered, I’d get a $10 check from one of the veterans and that gave me the strength to keep going. Unfortunately, many of the veterans passed away before the film was completed. Watching their heartwarming interviews over and over again in the edit room, I took comfort in knowing that people would fall in love with these dignified, brave and humble men. And they have. Thanks to our film, the regiment was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 2014 for their service to our country.