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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - The Puerto Rico National Guard received
an unexpected gift from an unexpected source.
A captured Nazi
banner, symbol of oppression, suffering and slavery, was given to
the Puerto Rico National Guard by retired Col. Arnaldo Claudio,
Interagency program director of the joint staff in Washington D.C.,
in a ceremony held at the PRNG-Joint Forces Headquarters in San
Juan. That same flag, that used to mark a higher headquarters,
bonded nations all over the word in the fight for justice and
freedom against the most heartless and bloodiest tyranny in human
record.
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The Puerto Rico National Guard receives a captured Nazi flag from
retired Col. Arnaldo Claudio, Interagency program director of
the joint staff in Washington D.C., in a ceremony held at the
PRNG-Joint Forces Headquarters in San Juan on December 19, 2013.
From left to right, the Adjutant General of Puerto Rico, AF Brig.
Gen. Juan J. Medina Lamela, Spec. Wesley Ortiz, member of A Company
1 Battalion 65th Infantry Reg., Julio Burgos Santiago, veteran of
the 65th Infantry Regiment and retired Col. Arnaldo Claudio. More
than 65,000 Puerto Ricans participated in all Armed Forces branches
during World War II. (Courtesy Photo)
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As a Puerto Rican, I'm proud of our heritage and our
commitment to the defense of democracy and freedom all over
the world,” said Claudio. “To bring this flag to my island
in recognition of my countrymen's deeds during those trying
times is a great honor.”
Even
today, the consequences of World War II still affect nations
around the world.
“This was an era full of
uncertainty that left a deep scar in human history,” said
the Adjutant General of Puerto Rico, Brig. Gen. Juan J.
Medina Lamela. “It was also a moment where gallant men faced
the odds and an enemy that conquered half of the world.”
The flag's journey from Germany to Puerto Rico took more
than 68 years in the making.
The Nazi flag was
captured by units of the 20th Armor Division during the
fighting around Munich, Germany in the closing weeks of
World War II.
Robert Cross, veteran of the 20th
Armor Division kept the flag until his passing. Then his
widow, Mrs. Joyce Cross turned it in to the US Army Heritage
and Education Center in Carlisle, Penn. Mr. Michael Perry,
Executive Director of the USAHEC and his staff started to
look for a unit to take care of the flag and displayed it in
honor of the thousands of World War II Veterans.
The
Puerto Rico National Guard was selected for the honors.
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The Adjutant General of Puerto Rico, Armed Forces Brig. Gen. Juan J.
Medina Lamela, gives a special gift to Julio Burgos Santiago,
veteran of the 65th Infantry Regiment during the ceremony to present
a captured Nazi flag to the Puerto Rican National Guard in San Juan
on December 19, 2013. Observing the moment are Sec. Wesley Ortiz,
member of A Company 1 Battalion 65th Infantry Regiment and grandson
of Mr. Santiago and retired Col. Arnaldo Claudio. (Courtesy Photo)
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“I can say with a great sense of pride that more than
65,000 Puerto Ricans served in all branches of the United
States Armed Forces during this war,” said Medina Lamela.
“More than 1,200 men of our own 65th Infantry Regiment,
fought during the war in Northern Africa, Southern France
and Central Europe, while more than 200 Puerto Rican women
joined the Women Army Corps to support the nation's war
effort.”
The flag will be encased and prepared for
permanent display at the PRNG Museum in San Juan.
By U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Luis Orengo
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2014
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