Dec. 11, 2006 — Monday was the first full day St. Croix veterans got a chance to pick up their new license plates, and many of them did — with pride.
St. Thomas veterans got a head start as that office began distribution last week.
The veterans came to the Richmond office in a steady stream. Armed with their veterans' identification cards and vehicle registrations, the former military personnel had their papers inspected by office staff and received the shiny new plates.
"They look good," said Vietnam veteran Rudolph Bazil, who smiled widely as he collected his new plates.
The red, white and blue plates bear the slogan "Proud to have Served" inscribed across the bottom. Veterans who have a vehicle registered in their name get them for free, according to Justin Harrigan Sr., director of the Office of Veterans' Affairs. Plates for physically challenged veterans are also available with proof of disability.
Desert Storm veteran Andrea Bryan-McIntosh said having the plates is a way of showing the camaraderie shared by V.I. veterans. "The V.I. has a lot of veterans, and now you don't have to wait until a parade to know (with whom) you share a common bond," she said.
"I'm proud to be a veteran, that's the main thing," said Vietnam veteran Terry Sharpe.
In order to make the plates official for their vehicles, veterans must go to the Department of Motor Vehicles and pay $10 to have their old plates transferred.
The V.I. Veterans Affairs offices are located at No. 1013 Estate Richmond in Christiansted, St. Croix, and on the second floor of the A-Q Building across from Nisky Center, St. Thomas.
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