A gaggle of elected officers gathered in South Boston Monday afternoon to honor Puerto Rican veterans who died within the line of responsibility, with some politicians contrasting the act of honoring navy service in opposition to President Donald Trump’s first months within the White Home.
Rep. John Moran, a South Finish Democrat, mentioned he had a “deep feeling of gratitude for the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice.” However he additionally mentioned he had a “new resolve” to ensure their deaths or service weren’t in useless.
“Our country is experiencing perilous times caused by the chaotic behavior of our president, and I am reminded every day that indeed, freedom is not free,” Moran mentioned. “Eleanor Roosevelt, who visited Puerto Rico on March 13, 1944, once said that freedom makes a huge requirement of every human being. With freedom comes responsibility.”
Mayor Michelle Wu additionally made a reference to divisive politics in Washington, D.C., in the course of the Memorial Day occasion.
“At a time when there are some in this country who are trying to divide us and make claims about who belongs, who doesn’t belong, I just want to say that there is nothing more American than the way our Puerto Rican community has shown up time and time again to defend this home that we share,” she mentioned.
The occasion was held on the Puerto Rican Veterans Memorial on Washington Road. Wu and different elected officers laid two wreaths to honor troopers and repair members who’ve died.
Boston Veterans Service Commissioner Robert Santiago mentioned Puerto Rican women and men “have served with courage and unwavering loyalty.”
“The history of Puerto Rican veterans is a testament to our courage, our resilience, and our patriotism. Puerto Ricans have officially served in the United States military since World War I, a proud legacy that spans over a century,” Santiago mentioned. “Despite facing challenges of language barriers, prejudice, and many times limited recognition, we as Puerto Rican veterans have made invaluable contributions to the many communities we live in.”
Antonio Molina, a Puerto Rican Vietnam veteran who was wounded in fight in 1965, mentioned the Puerto Rican Veterans Memorial is the one plaza in america devoted to veterans initially from Puerto Rico.
“We are proud to have served our nation, and as I tell folks, without the U.S. Armed Forces, we probably wouldn’t be here today. We serve. We defended our liberty because, you know, Liberty is not free. La libertad no es gratis,” Molina mentioned. “You have to pay for it.”
