by Donald Eng
HARTFORD, CT — State residents can show pride in their Puerto Rican heritage while also honoring the island’s veterans with a new license plate unveiled Thursday by state Rep. Geraldo Reyes, D-Waterbury.
In a ceremony at the State Capitol in Hartford, Reyes said the plate would ensure that the Puerto Rican soldiers who served in World War 1, World War 2 and the Korean War, would have their sacrifice remembered and proudly displayed. Nicknamed the Borinqueneers, the 65th Infantry Regiment of the United States Army earned a reputation for bravery, discipline, and devotion to duty despite facing segregation, discrimination and language barriers. The unit was recognized in 2014 for their pioneering military service with the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor bestowed by the U.S. Congress.
“At a time when they faced barriers both at home and abroad, they answered the call to serve with honor,” Reyes said.
In 2025, the Connecticut General Assembly passed the Connecticut Hero Act, legislation co-sponsored by Reyes, paving the way for the creation of the Borinqueneers specialty license plate.
State Rep. Christopher Rosario, D-Bridgeport, said the recognition was fitting and deeply meaningful.
“It serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices our brothers made on foreign soil to defend the freedoms we cherish,” Rosario said. “We worked to have the first state road dedicated to the 65th Infantry, the Borinqueneers Memorial Highway, right here in Bridgeport on East Main, and I can’t wait to see that plate cruising down that road.”
State Rep. Juan Candelaria, D-New Haven, said the Borinqueneers were heroes.
“It is our job to make sure their heroism, sacrifice, and fight for freedom is never forgotten,” he said. “This license plate serves to honor their memory, and remind us every day what they did for our country.”
Plate fees start at $60. A portion of the proceeds will directly support the Hispanic-American Veterans of Connecticut, Inc. with their efforts in providing bilingual services and assistance to Connecticut veterans and members of the armed forces. For more information or to obtain this commemorative plate, visit the state DMV’s special and vanity plates portal and scroll down to “Military and Veteran Style Plates” and click on “65th Infantry Regiment of the U.S. Army (Borinqueneers) Plate.”