Memorial Day ceremony to honor Borinqueneers, fallen service members.

Puerto Rico Convention Center District Authority Executive Director Verónica Ferraiuoli Hornedo

By THE STAR STAFF

The Puerto Rico Convention Center District Authority will hold a solemn Memorial Day ceremony today at the Antiguo Casino in Old San Juan, honoring the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces.

The event, led by the authority and its executive director, Verónica Ferraiuoli Hornedo, seeks to create a space for remembrance, reflection and gratitude for generations of soldiers whose service has shaped the nation’s history.

As part of the commemoration, the ceremony will feature the raising of the “America250” commemorative flag -- marking the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States -- and the POW/MIA flag, which honors prisoners of war, those missing in action, and those who never returned home. The program will also include the traditional “Missing Man Table” protocol, a symbolic military ritual that pays tribute to fallen and unaccounted‑for service members.

A central element of the event will be a special recognition of the 65th Infantry Regiment, the legendary Borinqueneers, whose bravery and sacrifice earned them a Congressional Gold Medal in 2014. The ceremony will highlight the legacy of the Puerto Rican soldiers through a tribute to 97‑year‑old veteran Ismael Heredia, one of the regiment’s surviving members.

Organizers emphasized that the gathering aims to honor both Puerto Rican and U.S. service members who have given their lives in defense of democratic values. The early‑morning (6:30 a.m.) ceremony is open to the media and invited guests.

More than 375,000 Puerto Ricans have served in the United States Armed Forces since the island became a U.S. territory in 1898.