National Borinqueneers Day Flag Raising

The public is invited on Wednesday, April 13, from noon to 12:30 to attend a flag-raising ceremony at City Hall as Holyoke observes National Borinqueneers Day.

On January 1, 2021, Congress declared that April 13 would be designated National Borinqueneers Day to honor “the bravery, service, and sacrifice” of the 65th Infantry Regiment, a U.S. Army unit that consisted mostly of soldiers from Puerto Rico. During the Korean War, the 65th adopted the nickname “The Borinqueneers” in recognition of the indigenous Taino Indians, the original inhabitants of Puerto Rico whose name for the island was Borinquen.

Over the years, The Borinqueneers received numerous decorations, including more than 2,700 Purple Hearts, 600 Bronze Stars, 250 Silver Stars, 9 Distinguished Service Crosses and one Congressional Medal of Honor.

If you have any questions, please contact the Mayor’s Office at 413-561-1600.