The community honors the flag of Puerto Rico during a past flag raising event at City Hall. This year’s event is Nov. 17 at 1 p.m. (File Photo)
WESTFIELD – The city will raise a Puerto Rican flag Nov. 17 at 1 p.m. at City Hall followed by a celebration hosted by the Westfield Spanish American Association (WSAA) at the Greater Westfield YMCA.
WSAA will honor Betty Medina for her work with Puerto Rican communities throughout western Massachusetts, especially those who moved to Westfield following Hurricane Maria, which devastated Puerto Rico two years ago.
WSAA member Agma Sweeney called Medina “a fearless and generous advocate” for Puerto Ricans.
“When tragedy struck Puerto Rico, Betty supplied the integral necessities to the families that arrived in Westfield and coordinated with WSAA for their relocation needs,” Sweeney stated in a press release.
Medina moved from Puerto Rico and settled in Holyoke more than 40 years ago. In 1985, she became the first Puerto Rican elected to public office in Massachusetts, serving on the Holyoke School Committee.
In September, Medina led the Puerto Rican Parade in Springfield as Godmother/Madrina. In October, she was honored with a street named after her in Holyoke. Now, in November, Westfield will honor her.
“It is a joy to celebrate the life and accomplishments of Betty Medina,” said Sweeney. “The Westfield Spanish American Association is dedicated to providing unity and cultural pride and therefore we honor Betty Medina, a role model for our community, families and children.”
This is Westfield’s 24th annual flag-raising ceremony.
In 1995 WSAA hosted its first flag-raising and community gathering at the YMCA, a tradition they continue to this day. At past events, WSAA honored the families who settled in Westfield in the ‘50s and ‘60s from Puerto Rico and others in the Westfield community.
Sweeney said the flag-raising event began shortly after the WSAA was incorporated. At that time, Richard K. Sullivan, Jr. was the mayor of Westfield and Hilda Colon, the first Puerto Rican elected to public office in Westfield, was a member of the Westfield School Committee and president of WSAA.
“The communities of Springfield, Holyoke and Amherst had all started to raise the flag of Puerto Rico in their cities to commemorate Puerto Rico heritage,” Sweeney said. “WSAA members joined in this tradition to honor their parents who were the first Puerto Rican migrants from Puerto Rico to Westfield.”
Raising the flag of Puerto Rico is a tradition and a source of pride, of belonging and contributing here in Westfield, said Sweeney.
“We raise the flag as an act of unity among Puerto Ricans,” she added. “We are part of the six million Puerto Ricans living in the 50 states, while only 2.9 million Puerto Ricans live on the island. Our flag unites us all whether we live in the US or PR, whether we speak Spanish, English or both, or whether we were born on the island, the US or another country.”
The gathering at the YMCA following the flag-raising in front of City Hall is a family and community affair. Sweeney said the reception meal consists of the most traditional Puerto Rican dishes: Rice and beans, pernil (pork), and guineitos en escabeche (green bananas dish). The meal is followed by traditional desserts: tembleque (coconut custard); flan (vanilla custard); budin de pan (bread pudding); arroz con dulce (coconut rice), and; pastelillos de guava (guava pastries).
“As she does every year, WSAA member Mara Sanabria leads a team of Westfield friends and WSAA members to prepare and serve all these wonderful dishes. DJ music will round out the event,” said Sweeney.
All are welcome to the flag raising and celebration.
