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Ceremony honors fallen Puerto Rican service members

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Amaani Lyle
  • 459th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico --  Senior leaders and spectators gathered to honor fallen Puerto Rican military members at the capital's Monument of Remembrance, or El Capitolio's El Monumento de la Recordacion, during a wreath laying ceremony here July 14. 

The ceremony was part of the 80th League of United Latin American Citizens convention.

Hon. Tomas Rivera-Schatz, 14th president of the Senate of Puerto Rico; LULAC National President Rosa Rosales; and U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Antonio Vincens, the adjutant general of Puerto Rico National Guard, joined participants in a 60-second moment of silence before placing the wreath against the monument. Etched on the monument are the names of more than 2,000 citizens of the U.S. territory who gave their lives in support of the nation's wars.

Among those recognized at the ceremony were members of the Air Force Reserve Command.

"We're very proud of our Air Force Reserve Command and fully support the partnership we have developed with it," Mr. Rivera-Schatz said. "I'd like to thank all the reservists who are here today to take part in this ceremony."

Ms. Rosales said, through LULAC, she'll remain steadfast in her commitment to advance the Latino agenda with the new administration and amplify the voices of Latinos who help protect the Nation.

LULAC has 115,000 members and is the oldest Hispanic organization in the United States. Its focus is to advance the education, economic conditions, health and civil rights of Latino Americans through community-based programs.

"It is important to maintain our strong AFRC alliance, and we're honored to give tribute to those in uniform who, with the United States, ensure we sustain liberties," Ms. Rosales said, standing before the monument.

What the Monument of Remembrance represents, much like Puerto Rico itself, is steeped in history. The black granite wall was the brainchild of former President of the Senate Hon. Charlie Rodriguez. He authored the legislation to appropriate the first $100,000 to erect the wall. An additional $1.2 million in grants and public support helped ensure the monument will forever memorialize the thousands of Puerto Rican men and women who have served in every conflict in which the United States has been involved.

"This monument is an excellent way to honor the sacrifices of Puerto Ricans, who, per capita, have given the greatest loss of life in support of U.S. wars," Mr. Rodriguez said.

The former senator explained that because so many Puerto Ricans who serve claim their home of record in U.S. states, the actual statistics of their participation is inadequately represented.

Currently, portraits of five Medal of Honor recipients hang in the halls of El Capitolio: Marine Corps Private First Class Fernando Garcia, U.S. Army Private First Class Carlos James Lozada, U.S. Army Capt. Eupides Rubio, U.S. Army Specialist Fourth Class Hector Santiago-Colon and U.S. Army Capt. Humbert Roque Versace.

AFRC is a long-standing supporter of and partner with LULAC. More than 70 reservists attended the LULAC convention and exposition July 13-18. (Air Force Reserve Command News Service)