In partnership with the City of Bethlehem, Community Action Development Corporation of Bethlehem (CADCB) celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month recently with a ribbon-cutting for the Borinqueneers’ Memorial. Located on the South Bethlehem Greenway, between Webster and Taylor streets, the memorial features a Domino Table, allowing Southside residents and guests to enjoy a game beloved to the Hispanic and Latino community.

“It is a fitting tribute and a daily reminder to us of their sacrifices and heroic actions for this nation,” said Bob Donchez, Bethlehem mayor. “And it is a wonderful way to honor Latinos, specifically Puerto Ricans, and their contributions to our history, culture, and achievements - not only here in Bethlehem, but to the United States.”

The event featured speakers: Efraim “Bulldog” Santiago, founding member of Borinqueneers Motorcycle Club and member of the Congressional Gold Medal Alliance; Bethlehem Councilwoman Olga Negrón, member of the Congressional Gold Medal Alliance; Norman Bristol Colón, PA Department of Community and Economic Development; Stephanie S. Augello, executive assistant to the mayor; Dr. Mary C. Foltz, co-director of the Southside Initiative; and Yadira Colon-Lopez, director of CADCB. Bethlehem-based Las Americas Bakery provided pastries for the event.

“This event is a representation of a community that came together to create this interactive memorial in honor of not only our local Borinqueneers, but those around the United States who served their country proud,” Colon-Lopez said.

The 65th Infantry Regiment, nicknamed “the Borinqueneers” during the Korean War for the original Taíno Indian name for Puerto Rico (Borinquen), is a Puerto Rican regiment of the United States Army. The 65th Infantry Regiment participated in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and in what is known by the United States Department of Defense as the Global War on Terrorism. On June 10, 2014, the 65th Infantry was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. The regiment’s motto is Honor et Fidelitas, Latin for Honor and Fidelity.

The Borinqueneers’ Memorial is in collaboration with the City of Bethlehem Councilwoman Olga Negron, the Southside Initiative, CADCB, and families of The Borinqueneers. The memorial was funded by the City of Bethlehem and Southside Vision 2020, a program of CADCB and the City of Bethlehem.

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