2025 Middlesex County Dominican Flag Raising Ceremony!
New Brunswick, New Jersey.- By Oscar Alberto Quintana
On Friday 28, 2025, the Dominican community gathered around a flag pole to raise their tricolor flag for the third year in a row at the Middlesex County Administration building on Bayard Street in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
County Commissioner Charles Kenny was the Master of Ceremony. A priest, Padre Ramón of Our Lady of Mount Carmel church did the prayer invocation and County Commissioner Claribel Azcona was honored for her service and signature “Viva República Dominicana” shouts.
Perth Amboy Councilwoman Hailey Cruz; Perth Amboy Councilwoman Rose Morales; Perth Amboy Councilwoman Stacey Peralta; Perth Amboy Councilwoman Milady Tejeda; Perth Amboy Mayor Helmin Caba; Rebeca Robles, Esq.; the honorable Dominican Republic General consul in New Jersey, José Francisco Santana Suriel; Middlesex County Commissioner Clary Azcona-Barber and Middlesex County Commissioner Charles Kenny.
For the first time in Middlesex County history a Dominican consul attended the ceremony. His honorable Dominican General consul Jose Francisco Santana Suriel made an appearance representing the Dominican Republic’s government of President Luis Abinader. And yes there was dance, as you might expect every time dominicans gather. This time the honor was for Rafy Santana band playing “Merengue típico” and the lead singer dared those present to come out to dance.
This year there were only two honorees: A well known physician and “Community Servant” one Dr. Sergio Sánchez, MD and Rebecca Robles, Esq. honored with the same “Community Servant” Award.
And the closing remarks of the evening were made by County Surrogate judge, Claribel Cortes, also of Dominican descent. In addition, there were present the honorables Mariana Diaz Nagore, the Consul General of Mexico in New Brunswick and Helmin Caba, the Mayor of Perth Amboy.
