José Raphael dreams of one thing: retiring in Puerto Rico, the place where he was born. He survived Vietnam, Agent Orange, and cancer. But the archipelago has just one fully functioning VA hospital, and going back could cost him the care keeping him alive. His daughter, producer T.J. Raphael, tells his story and what it reveals about the care Puerto Rican veterans are owed for serving in American wars, and still can't get at home.

This episode of American Colony was produced by T.J. Raphael. It was edited by Julio Ricardo Varela.

Credits

American Colony is a production of The Latino Newsletter and Shake It Easy Media

Original Concept by Julio Ricardo Varela

Senior Editor: Nuria Net
Senior Producer: Joaquín Cotler

Hosts: Julio Ricardo Varela and Nuria Net

Producer: Carlos Berríos Polanco
Consulting Producer: Susanne Ramírez de Arellano

Managing Editor: Christina Hernández

Video Producer: Amalia I. Nuñez-Pires

Social Media Videos: Anthony Modesto Milián and Aliana M. Bigio

Illustrator: Ricky Rodriguez
Composer: Alain Emile

Additional music courtesy of Soundstripe

Executive Producers: Julio Ricardo Varela, Nuria Net, and Joaquín Cotler

Support for this program comes from the Mellon Foundation, the nation’s largest supporter of the arts and humanities. More at Mellon.org. 

American Colony was also made possible by individual donations. To support the nonprofit work of The Latino Newsletter, click on the Donate tab at The Latino Newsletter.