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Para ver esta página en español, oprima aquí. PUERTO RICO HERALD When Our Nation Calls…Puerto Ricans Are There!
March 28, 2003 The home page graphic of this week’s Herald duplicates a portion of an ad placed in four Washington, DC, publications during the week of March 24. Following is the text of the ad, sponsored by American Veterans’ Committee for Puerto Rico Self-Determination: Over 200,000 Puerto Ricans, proud American citizens all, have worn our country’s uniform and followed its flag into battle. While aggression touched our nation’s shores, we where there. When tyrants subjugated nations in Europe, Asia, and the Balkans, we joined our fellow Americans to restore their freedom. Many combatants did not return to the Caribbean island of their birth. Some are buried in the depths of the sea or on far-flung battlegrounds. Others carry the deep scars of warfare. Four were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for valor. Today, as our nation confronts worldwide terrorism, Puerto Ricans - in proportionally higher numbers - are again called to help preserve our system of government and way of life. Since 9/11, over 7,000 of our Guardsmen and Reservists have been called to active duty, joining thousands more regular volunteers serving in U.S. military services. Some are engaged in the fight to check the regime of Saddam Hussein in Iraq. Others continue in the search for Al Qaeda in Afghanistan. As we face these common dangers, we renew our commitment faithfully to carry out the orders of our Commander-In-Chief and to do so with dedication, courage and professionalism. Finally, we pray for a quick end to hostilities and the safe return of all combatants to their homes and families. Retired Air Force Major General Orlando Llenza, chairman of the Veterans’ Committee that sponsored the ad, said, "Due to negative publicity Puerto Ricans received during the protests against US Navy practice bombing on the Puerto Rican island of Vieques, many Americans have been left with the erroneous notion that Puerto Ricans are not willing to support our military. We felt it was necessary to show that Puerto Ricans not only support our military, but participate in it and willingly put their lives on the line for our country." The ad, which was placed in The Washington Times, The Weekly Standard, Roll Call, and The Hill as part of a multimedia campaign, reminds all who read it that Puerto Ricans have never faltered in their support for the principles and ideals of the nation of which they are citizens. Once again they are being called and are responding in large numbers. Currently, Puerto Rico is experiencing the largest call to arms in its history. As of this date, in direct response to the crisis in Iraq, 5,600 National Guard and Reservists have been called-up, a number by population proportionally higher than 70% of the states of the United States.
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