July 4, 2025 – Cataño, Puerto Rico – In commemoration of the United States' Declaration of Independence, Governor Jenniffer González-Colón honored the heroism and unwavering response of veterans and active-duty military personnel who have answered the Nation’s call to defend freedom. She highlighted this legacy as a shared story of service, pride, and sacrifice.
“Today, as we celebrate the Declaration of Independence, we affirm that liberty lives on through the active commitment of those who defend it. Puerto Rico has upheld those ideals through action, serving, contributing, and defending freedom alongside our Nation. This anniversary invites us to honor that shared history of service and pride. Puerto Rico has consistently answered the call to duty, distinguishing itself in every military conflict of the 20th and 21st centuries. From the trenches of World War I and the vast theaters of World War II, to the battlefields of Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, and the Global War on Terror, we have been there. Our heroism has been recognized with the Nation’s highest honors,” said the Governor.
The event, organized by the Government of Puerto Rico and the Municipality of Cataño, gathered mayors, legislators, heads of agencies, federal officials, representatives of the Armed Forces, members of the Consular Corps, veterans, and members of the public.
“Our Fourth of July celebration must be more than fireworks; it must be a living commitment to the founding principles of this great Nation. Today, Puerto Rico faces an untenable reality. Although we have been U.S. citizens since 1917, we still do not enjoy the full equality of rights that citizens in the 50 states possess. In 2025, Puerto Rico remains under a territorial political status that is, without question, colonial and that relegates us to second-class citizenship. And yet, time and again, we have sent our youth to defend democracy. Our journey toward statehood has been long and, at times, frustrating, but we are no longer where we began,” said Cataño Mayor Julio Alicea-Vasallo.
“The people of Puerto Rico have spoken clearly and decisively at the polls, sending an unequivocal message to the world. Statehood would open the door to fairer economic development for hardworking communities like ours and bring an end to the uncertainty over our future. As we celebrate American independence, let us reflect on what it means to do so while still living under colonial status. It is not a contradiction or mere irony, it is a call to action, using the tools of democracy and the power of justice and reason. Our duty is to transform Puerto Rico from a colony into a state,” the Mayor added.
This year’s Fourth of July celebration was dedicated to the Vietnam Veterans of America Puerto Rico State Council, in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, during which more than 48,000 Puerto Ricans served.
During her time serving as Speaker of the Puerto Rico House of Representatives, Governor González-Colón championed Act 270-2011, establishing March 30th as Vietnam Veterans Day. As Resident Commissioner in Congress, she cosponsored legislation to expand benefits to those exposed to Agent Orange, including the bill that became Public Law 116-23. She also facilitated Puerto Rico’s participation in the Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Commemoration initiative, distributing pins and certificates to veterans through her office. Additionally, she has urged the public to help complete the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund’s “Wall of Faces” by submitting photos of unidentified Puerto Rican soldiers, a project launched in 2021.
The Governor reaffirmed her commitment to preserve and honor the stories of Vietnam veterans and all who have served, announcing plans for a commemorative book to celebrate their courage and sacrifice.
She also confirmed Puerto Rico’s participation in the nationwide celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the United States' Independence. “This commemoration aligns with our public policy of advancing the mandate in favor of statehood, as clearly and consistently expressed by the people of Puerto Rico in the plebiscites of 2012, 2017, 2020, and 2024. This mandate is explicitly established in Executive Order 2025-007, which directs all executive agencies to uphold and implement this democratic will,” stated the Governor.
Several initiatives have already been launched to mark the Semiquincentennial Celebration, including:
Additional initiatives to be implemented by the Commission include:
Secretary of State Rosachely Rivera Santana read an excerpt from the U.S. Declaration of Independence and the official proclamation dedicating this year’s Fourth of July ceremony to the Vietnam Veterans of America Puerto Rico State Council.
Following the formal program, a parade commenced featuring municipal employees from Cataño, musical performances, and personnel from the Department of Public Safety led by Secretary Arturo Garffer. Participants included 150 cadets from Class 235, commanders from the island’s 13 police regions and senior officials from the Puerto Rico Police Bureau led by Commissioner Joseph González; the Emergency Management and Disaster Administration Bureau under Commissioner Ángel Jiménez-Colón; the Puerto Rico Emergency Medical Services Bureau led by Commissioner Abner Gómez-Cortés; the Puerto Rico Firefighters Bureau under Commissioner Josué Piñeiro-Torres; the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s Custody Officers Corps led by Secretary Francisco Antonio Quiñones-Rivera; the Puerto Rico National Guard; and the U.S. Army Reserve’s 1st Mission Support Command.
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