In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, Town of Babylon Supervisor Rich Schaffer recently joined with the Department of Human Services, members of the Town Board and other local officials for the Town’s 16th annual celebration at the Tanner Park Senior Center. The event was attended by approximately 200 residents and featured live entertainment and honorees.
At the event, the Town paid special recognition to the United States Army’s historic 65th Infantry Regiment, known as the Borinqueneers, which was the Puerto Rican regiment of the U.S. Army. Members of the regiment were present for the celebration and told stories of their service to those in attendance. Throughout their history, members of the Borinqueneers served proudly in World Wars I and II, as well as the Korean War. In 2014, President Barack Obama signed legislation into law to grant the regiment with the Congressional Gold Medal.
Also honored at the event were those who have made contributions to the local community, including local business owner Jose Arias, Amityville Memorial High School Student Chris Gonzalez and Wyandanch School District educator Migdalia López Meléndez. The live entertainment for the event was provided by numerous acts such as Our Latin Dance Company, DJ Press Play, The Madrigal Choir of the Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School, dance group Estampas Folkloricas Peru of New York and Puerto Rican music group Mambo Loco.
Pictured from left to right are Human Services Commissioner Madeline A. Quintyne; New York State Assemblyman Phil Ramos; Town Clerk Carol Quirk; Suffolk County Legislator Kevin McCaffrey; Deputy Supervisor Tony Martinez; Rafael Cordero, Dom Lopez, Israel Montalvo and Anthony Melé of the United States Army 65th Infantry Regiment; Supervisor Schaffer; Councilwoman Jacqueline Gordon; Wyandanch Community Resource Center Director Kimberly Jean-Pierre; Presiding Officer of the Suffolk County Legislature DuWayne Gregory; Suffolk County Water Authority Chairman Jim Gaughran; Ed Wiggins of Senator Phil Boyle’s office; and Louis Montes-Brito Sr. of Suffolk County Legislator Monica Martinez’s office.