Puerto Rican Association for Human Development, Inc. (PRAHD) to Screen Free for the Community on Oct. 5 at Perth Amboy High School

– Press Release – 9/2/2013

PERTH AMBOY – The experience of Latinos in the U.S. Army has rarely been portrayed in film. Now comes The Borinqueneers (pronounced Boh-rin-keh-neers), the never-before-told story of the 65th Puerto Rican Regiment, the only all-Hispanic segregated unit in U.S. Army history.

Narrated by Hector Elizondo (Chicago Hope, Pretty Woman), this compelling 60-minute documentary relies on interviews with the regiment’s veterans and rare archival footage to trace the unique experience of the 65th, culminating in the Korean War and the dramatic events that would threaten its very existence. To honor the young men who served this country on the 60th Anniversary of the end of the Korean Conflict, the Puerto Rican Association for Human Development, Inc. (PRAHD) will present a free screening to the community of this historic documentary film.

The screening of the film will be on Saturday, October 5, at 2 p.m., at Perth Amboy High School, 300 Eagle Avenue, Perth Amboy, New Jersey, followed by a live taping and interviews with Producer Noemi Figueroa Soulet, 65th Infantry Regiment Veterans, and former West Point military historian, Col. Gilberto Villahermosa (USA Ret.) by Emmy Award winning Anchor, Thirteen/WNET, Steve Adubato Ph.D. with an audience Q&A. There will also be an archival photo exhibit.

Named after “Borinquen,” the word given to Puerto Rico by its original inhabitants, the Taino Indians, the Borinqueneers formed a tight-knit unit bound by a common language and a strong cultural identity. First-time director and producer Noemí Figueroa Soulet spent eight years researching the story and locating veterans of the regiment, some of whom have since passed away. In emotional interviews, they describe the experience of fighting together in vivid detail.

Through their voices, the documentary explores the unique history of the 65th Regiment, a history that illustrates many of the issues surrounding the U.S. relationship with Puerto Rico and the broader Latino experience.

Sponsorship for this event is provided by the City of Perth Amboy, PRAHD, the New Jersey Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, New Jersey Shares Communications Lifeline, Caucus Educational Corporation, and Jaffe Communications.

For More Information Contact:
José Acevedo
973-345-9837
JRAcevedo@borinqueneers.com