Soldiers run through historic streets in Puerto Rico

By U.S. ArmyJune 25, 2018

Soldiers run through historic streets in Puerto Rico
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers from the Miami Recruiting Battalion were joined by the Governor of Puerto Rico, Hon. Ricardo Rosselló, and the Civilian Aid to the Secretary of the Army, Mr. Luis Soto, in a formation run though the historic streets of Old San Juan, J... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Soldiers run through historic streets in Puerto Rico
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers from the Miami Recruiting Battalion were joined by the Governor of Puerto Rico, Hon. Ricardo Rosselló, and the Civilian Aid to the Secretary of the Army, Mr. Luis Soto, in a formation run though the historic streets of Old San Juan, J... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

SAN JUAN, PR- Soldiers from the Miami Recruiting Battalion were joined by the Governor of Puerto Rico, Hon. Ricardo Rosselló, and the Civilian Aid to the Secretary of the Army (CASA), Mr. Luis Soto, in a formation run through the historic streets of Old San Juan, June 25, in what signified a way to celebrate the Army's 243rd birthday.

The run started and finished at the National Guard headquarters in Old San Juan with stops at El Morro and the Capitol building along the way.

"This has been the best run I have participated of. To me running with you this morning is a true honor," said Rosselló, while addressing the Soldiers in one of the stops.

Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Randall W. Newman, the Commander of the Miami Recruiting Battalion, highlighted the relevance of the service of Puerto Ricans in the U.S. Army.

"Puerto Ricans have been serving the United States Army for many years. They have fought in every major battle since World War l. In Vietnam over 55,000 Puerto Ricans fought and out of those, 5 received the Medal of Honor," said Newman.

Throughout the route, people waved at the troops, with a surprised reaction when they realized the Governor was running with the Soldiers.

"It is important to let people know that the U.S. Army is here and that, as an institution, we are 243 years old," said Soto, whose role as CASA is to serve as a liaison, reaching down in the community to build bridges and to tell the Army's story.

The U.S. Army is represented in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean by the U.S. Army Reserve, which invests over 157 million dollars in the local economy and creates thousands of job opportunities.