65th Infantry Regiment (The Borinqueneers) United States Army

The 65th Infantry Regiment, nicknamed "The Borinqueneers" (a combination of Borinquén and Buccaneer), was an all-volunteer Puerto Rican regiment of the United States Army.  Its motto was Honor et Fidelitas, Latin for Honor and Fidelity.  It participated in World War I (actually having the distinction of firing the the first shot of that war) , World War II, the Korean War; and as the combined battalion with the 92nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, PRARNG, in the War against Terrorism and Operations Iraqi Freedom/Enduring Freedom. "Puerto Ricans have participated in every major American military conflict, from the American Revolution, when volunteers from Puerto Rico, Cuba and Mexico fought the British in 1779 under the command of General Bernardo de Gálvez (1746 -1786), to the present-day conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan."  Wikipedia  

The regiment first became the "The Porto (Puerto) Rico Regiment" in 1898 and served in World War I.  It also saw active duty in World War II but it was it's involvement in the Korean War which brought about most of it's casualties and even a mass court martial of nearly one hundred of it's soldiers.  This disgrace was later cleared up and all those involved were pardoned by the then Secretary of Army Robert Stevens but I am getting ahead of myself; let me tell you of the early formation of this most remarkable battalion first.

When it was first commissioned by the U.S. Congress, through The Army Appropriation Bill on March 2, 1889; it was to consist of native Puerto Rican infantry men and "continental" officers.  The term "continental" meant men that were from the continental United States, non-natives and therefore non-spanish speaking officers.  On June 30, 1901, the "Porto (Puerto) Rico Provisional Regiment of Infantry" was organized and with it the foundation of  complications which let to its tragic casualties in Korea and subsequent reassignment to the 92 Infantry Brigade fifty-five years later. 

Puerto Ricans of the 65th Infantry were subjected to segregation and discrimination because they were considered of a mixed race by their superiors. An Act of Congress, approved on May 27, 1908, reorganized the regiment as part of the "regular" Army.  Since the native Puerto Rican officers where Puerto Rican citizens and not U.S. citizens, they were required to under go a new physical examination to determine their fitness for the commissions in the Regular Army and to take an oath of U.S. citizenship with their new officers oath. This new physical examination was in addition to any regular training taken by any other "continental" officer.  And to require a U.S. citizenship oath, at a time when U.S. citizenship was still not granted to us, was literally forcing the recruit to give up his native citizenship.

Confidence in these new recruits; even after being put to use in the Panama Zone during World War I & II and successful campaigns in Naples-Fogis, Central Europe and the Battle of Rhineland, was not very high.  So an exercise (OPERATION PORTEX) was conceived whereas Vieques would be defended by the 65th Infantry Regiment against the combined forces of the Army, Marines, Navy, and Air Force.  The liberators (American Forces) consisted of 32,600 combat troops from the 82nd Airborne Division's 504th Airborne Infantry Regiment and Marine Corps, who received support from the Navy and Air Force.  Despite the large number of troops deployed, the 65th Infantry (the aggressor) was able to halt the offensive forces on the beaches of the island. Colonel Willliam W Harris, the commanding officer of the 65th, stated:

     "Stopping the assault forces at the water's edge proved that the Puerto Ricans could hold their own against the best-trained soldiers that the United States Army could put into the field."  Wikipedia

The success of Operation PORTEX propelled the Army to deploy the 65th Infantry Regiment to Korea.

The Boriqueneers were lethal in their encounters with the Koreans, and later the Chinese, who entered the war on the side of the Koreans.  One of the first documented acts of bravery was when the U.S. Marines withdrew from the Chosin Reservoir and were surrounded by the Chinese close to the Manchurian Border, it was the 65th Infantry that went in to help them get out and kept the rear guarded enabling the Marines to escape to safety.  This encounter and others like it at Outpost Kelly and Jackson Heights, gave distinction and honor to many of the 65th Infantry.

As the war pressed on and the inability to communicate with their superiors continued, the 65th Infantry Regiment, suffers a great amount of casualties and a hundred and sixty-two are arrested for refusing to fight.  Ninety-Five are court martial and Ninety-One are found guilty.  The Army at first kept quiet over the affair but once information got out through soldier's letters to their families, the Army began secret negotiations with the government of Puerto Rico.  That is where information on the mistreatments inflicted by the officers which included the denial of special rations of rice and beans, not being allowed to call themselves "Borinqueneers", ordered to shave of their mustaches (an important symbol of maleness), combat exhaustion and other humiliations, came to light and is believed have contributed to some men refusing to fight.  Mind you, Puerto Ricans were not the only ones refusing to fight but were the only ones court martiaedl.  That is where Secretary of the Army Robert Stevens moved quickly to remit the sentences and granted clemency and pardons to all those involved.

As a consequence of these court martials, the 65th Infantry Regiment was integrated and infused into the 92nd Infantry Brigade. 

On February 12, 1951, the great General Douglas MacArthur was quoted in Tokyo saying the following:

     "The Puerto Ricans forming the ranks of the gallant 65th Infantry on the battlefields of Korea... are writing a brilliant record of achievement in battle and I am proud indeed to have them in this command.  I wish that we might have many more like them."   Wikipedia

I sure am proud of finding information on these proud and hardy men who sacrificed their lives for me and mine.  I thought it would be neat to show some of these brave men's hard fought for metals.  Below are some of the medals earned by the Borinqueneers in Korea:

Individual awards in Korean War

Distinguished Service Cross 10

Silver Star 256

Bronze Star 606

Purple Heart 2,771

Aqui Se Habla Moreno (Moreno is Spoken Here)

My Dad, Benigno Echevarria Rodriguez, also known as Benny, is a funny character. Raised in the old ways, with old fashioned values, he still finds a way to find humor and keep things up to date.

I decided to come visit my Dad in Puerto Rico and have him meet my Fiancé, Israel Lopez. They both hit it off magnificently since they are both jokers.  Dad immediately declared that Israel is Morenito. In this sense, he was simply stating that he liked him.

Now the word moreno, is the Spanish word for dark skinned.  Israel is not dark skinned, this is not the point.  My Dad uses it in a totally different way.  He uses it if you are misbehaving, dark skinned, of questionable character or taste,  you could be a good person or involved in an illegal or immoral activity.  He laughs it off but those that know him know that there is a deep rooted reason for his use of this word.  My Dad is racist.

It doesn't matter that Grandpa Hipolito, his father, was high yellow black.  Dad is jabao himself and has always made comments when darkies are around.  Benny has a bad habit of calling most people here on the island moreno; they assure me they don't mind when I scold him, but I still worry that someone will take offense and hurt him.  You see, Daddy is 81 years old and frail.

Being in his 80's didn't stop him from opening another Zapateria and re-establishing himself in his old profession.  Don't put your nose up, my Dad raised 15 kids (6 Antonia's, 4 Mery's and 5 His) repairing shoes.  He never stopped working.  He puts me and many others to shame.

Getting back to Benny's "moreno" ways.  When Israel informed him that I had stated I would be getting a life insurance policy out on him, since he is so accident prone, Daddy simply looked at him and stated "make sure you also name me as a beneficiary."  I almost fell out of my chair laughing!  This was on the first day that they met! 

I have no idea how my Dad did not disown me when I married my children's father who happened to be both Black and Cuban.  That is what you call a double no-no in Benny's world.  But I am his only daughter and Daddy is one of those rare men that love daughters.

And finally with that in mind, Dad used his moreno charms and made me an offer I could not refuse and I am now relocating to Puerto Rico.  It seems to me that all is falling into place.  I have been advocating Statehood for my island for 2 years now, my genealogy work is mostly here and which better place to take care of business than in the heart of the matter?  After almost 50 years, I am back in Puerto Rico.  I am finally home.

moreno(a) = dark skinned
zapateria - Shoe Repair Shop
darkies = slang for colored.
high yellow black = a black person that has white blood and therefore light skinned black.
jabao = a black person so light skinned that you can't tell they are black.
Antonia = 1st Wife
Mery = 2nd Wife

Si El Norte Fuera El Sur

There are some songs that are so poetic and profound that they are meant to be discussed in length, as is the song I am now going to post here and translate.  I hope you enjoy its lyrics and find it as truthful and poignant as I did.  Ricardo Arjona is of Guatemalian descent, a talented singer/song writer who writes about social injustices.  A former teacher and basketball player in his homeland.  He has been in the music scene since 1985; this song was released in 1996.

Si El Norte Fuera El Sur

(If the North Where the South)

Artist: Ricardo Arjona

Album: Si El Norte Fuera El Sur

El Norte, sus McDonald's, basketball y Rock n' Roll

[The North, with its McDonald's, basketball and Rock n' Roll]

Sus topless, sus Madonas y el abdomen de Stallone

[It's topless (bars), it's Madonnas and the abdomen of Stallone]

Intelectuales del bonceados, eruditos de supermercado

[Intellectuals of tanning, scholars of the supermarket]

Tienen todo pero nada han pagado

[Have everything but have paid for nothing]

Con 18 eres un niño para un trago en algún bar

[At 18, you are a child for a drink at any bar]

Pero ya eres todo un hmbre pa' la guerra y pa' matar

[But, you are already a grown man for war and to kill]

Viva Vietnam y que viva Forest Gump

[Long Live Vietnam and Long Live Forrest Gump]

Viva Wall Street y que viva Donald Trump

[Long Live Wall Street and Long Live Donald Trump]

Viva el Seven Eleven

[Long Live Seven Eleven]

Polvean sus nariz y usan jeringa en sus bolsillos

[Dust their nose and use syringes in their pockets]

Viajan con Marihuana para entender la situación

[They travel with Marijuana to understand the situation]

De este juez del planeta que lanza una invitación

[Of this judge of the planet which sent forth an invitation]

Cortar se lo a tú marido y ganarás reputación

[Cut it off your husband (as in Lorena Bobbit) and you will earn a reputation (become famous)]

Coro:

[Chorus]

Las barras y las estrellas se adueñan de mi bandera

[The stripes and stairs are overpowering my flag]

Y nuestra libertad no es otra cosa que una ramera

[And our liberty is nothing more than a whore]

Y si la deuda externa nos robo la primavera

[And if the external debt robbed us of our spring]

Al diablo la geographia se acabaron las fronteras

[To the Devil with geography, the borders are no more]

Si el Norte fuera el Sur, los Sioux los marginados, 
[If the North were the South, the Sioux would be the ones marginalized,]


ser moreno y chaparrito sería el look mas cotizado.
[being brown (mixed) and short would be the look most desired]


Marco sería el Rambo Mexicano y Cindy Crawford la Menchú de mis paisanos, 
[(Subcommander) Mark (Leader of the Zapatista Movement) would be the Mexican Rambo and Cindy Crawford the (Rigoberta) Menchú (Activist) of my countrymen]


Reagan sería Somosa.
[(Ronald) Reagan would be (Anastasio) Somosa (Marxist)]


Fidel sería una atleta corriendo bolsas por Wall Street.

[Fidel (Castro) would be an athlete running bags for Wall Street]

Y el Ché hara hamburguesas al estilo Double Meat.

[And Che (Guevarra) (Revolutionary Rebel) would be flipping hamburgers to the order of Double Meat]

Los yankees de mojados a Tijuana.

[The yankees (Americans) wetbacks to Tijuana]

Y las balsas de Miami a la Habana, si el Norte fuera el Sur.

[The floats from Miami to Havana, if the North were the South]

Seríamos igual o tal vez un poco peor

[We would be the same or perhaps a little worst off]

Con las Malvinas por Groenlandia

[The Falkland Islands by Greenland]

Y en Guatemala un Disneylandia

[And in Guatemala a Disneyland]

Y un Simón Bolivar rompiendo su secreto

[And a Simon Bolivar breaking his secret]

Ah les va el 187, fuera a los yankees por decreto

[Oh, there goes the 187, outcast the yankees (Americans) by decree]

Coro:  2 X

[Chorus] 2 X

Si el Norte fuera el Sur, sería la misma porqueria

[If the North were the South, it would be the same rubbish]

Yo cantaria un Rap y esta canción no existiría.

[I would be singing Rap and this song would not exist]

Once again, thank you Wikipedia for information on these comparisons; www.musica.com/letras.asp?letra-93672 for the lyrics; Google Translate for help with the translations; Yours Truly for translating the song to English; and Ricardo Arjona for this inspiring creation.

The Influence of Your Name

Most people go around their whole lives not knowing that the significance of their name has a great bearing on who they are and who they will become.  There are whole libraries dedicated to the etymology (study of origins of words) and onomastics (study of proper names) research of names.  I am a true believer that a strong name develops a strong individual.  With this in mind, I have researched the names of those in my extended family, since we are numerous enough to nicely fill in a page; I will ask that you patiently go down the list.  I hope this is a blessing to my family individually and collectively.

Our matriarch, Antonia, a very strong name indeed.  It means Praiseworthy and Priceless.  The Queen Bee of the Family.  Very appropriate.  Very popular in Greece and Italy; of Spanish and English origin.

Next comes our second mother, Aida.  She is the eldest of us eleven.  The one who took it upon herself to care and watch over us as we multiplied around her.  I could never be able to tell her how much I truly love and appreciate her.  Aida means Helper, Happy Bearer and Wealthy.  It is mostly found in Latin America, of Spanish, French, Italian and English origin.

Lillian is no longer with us.  Extremely bright and beautiful.  We lost our dear sister in 1994,  a victim of her own vices.  She is sorely missed.  Lillian is a blend of Lilli and Ann.  Of English Origin.

Now the third child Marilyn, she is quite a character.  Prone to exaggerating every single little thing and lives in constant dramatization of her life and those around her.  Marilyn means descendant of Mary and is derived of the name Mary; which means "wished for child."   Origin: Israeli, Hebrew and English.

Edwin's name is quite interesting.  It means Prosperous Friend, Rich in Friendship or Happy Friend.  He certainly has lived his life with gusto.  It is of English and German origin.

Vernon.  Now his name does fit him quite well.  Vernon means, Youthful and Young at Heart, Alder Tree Grove; an Aristocratic name brought fought to England from Normandy.  Vernon has always had a smile on his face and laughter has always followed him around.  Found largely in Latin America; of French and English origin.

Now, Juan, spanish for John, was truly a wonderful surprise.  I had no idea it meant "God is Gracious" and a "Gift from God."  I can't wait to tell my brother.  He needs to hear this now.  Mostly found in Spanish countries; Juan is of Hebrew origin.

Benigno is a derivative of Benign which means Good.  Also found it to mean Friendly and Kind.  I love my brother Benny, he is truly kind and very intelligent. The first of the Echevarrias.  The head of our clan.  Origin: Italy.

Elvis means Wise and Sage.  Elve wise; belonging to the Elves.  My brother Elvis is one of those complicated souls, and I will leave it at that!!  Of Scandinavian origin.

Gladys has several meanings and it really depends where you look which meaning you will find.  Feminine name from the Welsh name Gwladus or Gwladys which bears the meaning of Royalty or Rulers.  Of Welsh origin,  it seems to mean Territorial Ruler, as in Royalty and Princess.  On the flip side, if associated with Claudia or Claud it would take a whole other meaning as in Lame.  That one I never liked and am happy to have continued researching the name and found the one meaning Royalty.  That one I like.  :)

William means Protector.  Funny, I always thought it meant Willful, as in Will I Am, and I was hoping to bring that to my brother's attention.  But it was not to be and once again my dear little brother navigated under my radar and was not to be scolded.  William is quite the Protector and his name is quite fitting.  It is of German and English origin.

And finally our baby brother, Ismael which means the "Lord will Hear" and "God Listens."  I had no idea.  Ish is truly blessed and we have all cuddled and loved him throughout his life.  Of Israeli, Hebrew and Spanish origin.

All these wonderful names.  All these beautiful blessings we are not reaping. Everyone should look up and live up to their name.  There is power in your name. Harvest it.

Research and Information taken from  www.meaning-of-names.com/ and Wikipedia (Gladys(given name)).

How to Beat Walmart at their Own Game

So, here I am at Walmart getting ready to buy some detergent, dryer sheets and get coins to do my laundry ... but wait.  Let me not get ahead of myself, let me start at the beginning.

For the last 3 days, Israel and I have been staying at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel, on Congress, in Boynton Beach, where their motto is "wandering encouraged" and I felt as if I have arrived at home.  Their hospitality is amazing and their service more so.  We only intended to spend one night, since we are transitioning, relocating and trying to purchase a home.  Oh yes, we are seriously involved.  :)

As I am heading out trying to catch a few errands, while allowing Israel to get a few extra minutes of well deserved sleep; I ask the attendant about Laundry Services.  At least that is what I thought I was asking.  He interpreted my question as "where is the Laundry Room" and instructed me to the "Laundry Room" where you can do your own Laundry!!!   I know, I am getting excited about Laundry!!!!  :)

Anyway, here is the kicker and the reason for this blog.  So, I run, no drive to Walmart on Old Boynton Road, and get a few things along with Detergent, ect., ect. ect.   No cashiers.  Only the automatic self serving machines.  Which is fine, only I needed change for the washing machines.

I see whom looked like a Floor Manager and asked,  "I don't mind using these machines, but I also need change to do laundry.  Can you help me with that?"

To which she replied, "we don't give change."  I was like, "go figure.  It couldn't have been that easy. " And then bang, it hit me like a lighting bolt.  I answered, "You know what?  There is more than one way to skin a cat!"  "I will pay each item individually and get my change like that!!!"

And that is what I did.  And that is how I got my change.  Without going crazy, losing my temper nor going to jail.

The End.

If Life were Perfect

If life were perfect,
I would have married a Preacher Man
Instead I married a Fast Talker
Kind of like the same thing, eh?

If life were perfect,
I would have caught on to your lies quicker
but youth was on my side
and you counted on that, didn't cha?

If life were perfect,
My Treasure Box would have contained one more
I got a Rock
And a King
And a Jack
You would have been my turn to name
Your name would have been something strong and meaningful.

If a boy, named after a Prophet perhaps.
If a girl, maybe Ruth or Esther,  or Deborah the Female Warrior.

If life were perfect,
a 31st Anniversary would have been
around the corner

Yet, God is merciful
And instead of 4, he gave me 3
and for that missing child
I have many, yes, many that call me Mom.

Yet, God is even more merciful
That everything is brand new
And a New Love is Blossoming around the corner
And the Preacher Man myth
Might still come true.

The journey, my
"if life were perfect
has turned into".
I am so happy with my life as it is today
and my happily ever after
might happen just yet.

For David, my son, the King.

His Daughter

Sometimes I forget You are His Daughter.
I look at Dreamy Brown liquid, so soulful, so bright
so mysterious, so kind,
the eyes of promise, of future and flight.

Sometimes I forget You are His Daughter.
The Daughter of the One I gave my Heart to
the One I gave my solemn Vow to
The Daughter I nagged God for
And made Promises that I would Die for

Sometimes I truly forget You are His Daughter.
The One who broke my Heart and Soul
For Whose treachery I fought Padded walls
And Lived to see the Sun of Day
You Child, a third, the power
that Helped me get away.

Sometimes I forget You are His Daughter.
You are so unlike Him
You are so like Him
And so Stubborn like Me.
And it's so easy to Forget.
That you are a Soul all of your Own.
A Soul so Old and Wise.
A Soul so conning and elusive.

Sometimes I just forget.

For Neo.

State of Grace

It's not that I am not grateful;
For the graceful ways that we be today,
When you came our way we were of simpler minds
and even more simpler ways.
We dreamt of coffee fields on mountainous hills,
Of colorful mornings and wondrous sights.
We looked forward to the sounds of nature's abide
welcoming us into La Isla Del Encanto;
yes,  paradise.

It's not that I am not grateful;
For the learnt way we be today.
You brought with you fine institutions of wisdom
and established them in our small little island.
And our knowledge grew of the things you knew
For before you came
We knew only of our Mother Spain and of
our African and Taino ways.
Of 500 years, of the Old Lady's pain
and of becoming masters of healing
and music, and dance, while still appearing
humble and compliant.
Of dancing ballads from all three nations
and graceful names throughout creation.
A thousand years of Moor influence
propelled our task masters; and maritime
conquests abounded.
Of Don Quijote and fine composers,
of fine wines, architecture and fine perfumes.

Oh, what?  That is not what you heard?

You were told we were a population of illiterate peasants?
That poverty and disease ran rapid?
That we were unsophisticated and uncouth? 
Void of any true culture and therefore, in need of total
revamping and Americanization?
It is true what they say,
"Don't believe everything you read".

It's not that I am not grateful;
That our agricultural lands were paved over
and industrial buildings where erected
in place of our sugar cane, coffee and tobacco crops.
And over a century of one way trading
has left Puerto Rico totally dependent on
the United States' unilateral trading practices.
Cultivating trade with other countries is
forbidden.  Reminds me of that saying;
"First you make thieves and then you punish
them for stealing?"

It's not that I am not grateful;
For allowing us the opportunity to fight in all
your wars. 
Yet be seen as solely a mestizo race
and given our own little special place
called segregation and isolation.
That our beautiful, strong, lovely women
were chosen in medical experimentations
and thanks to them, we now have contraception.
Political prisoners where given radiation
and mental patients cancer cells.
If you believe we were the only ones;
And that that could not happen here?
You need to open your eyes and recognize.
The drug infestation in major cities
like New York, Chicago and California, of the
1930's, were orchestrated by vile men who wanted
to exterminate spics and niggers. 

Yes, you and me.

It's not that I am not grateful,
I still believe in our forefathers' vision and still believe in
their promise. 
That in this land, over here, things were
going to be different, better, and all inclusive.
That race, language, sexual preference, religious ideology
and theology, mental capacity and/or monetary deficiency
or abundance;
none of it,
none of it would matter. 
You could still have a chance at the pursuit of happiness,
only if you are brave enough to chase it.
I believe in this country enough to hand over my only two sons
and say, "Now go fight for our Nation".
I tell them, "No matter where you are; Remember who you are" and
sleep soundly knowing,
that they take those words to heart.


Dedicated to First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, "Good looking out Girl!"