Veterans Day ceremonies on St. Thomas Monday brought everyone from JROTC students to retired military men out to the Franklin D. Roosevelt V.I. Veterans Memorial Park to mark the contributions of V.I. soldiers and their families.
A special tribute to military women was also paid Monday by the ceremony’s guest speaker, Command Sgt. Major (ret.) Leonard K. Amey. He said that females serving in the armed forces should be given the same treatment and benefits as anyone else – especially since many give up their lives every day for their country.
Thanking them for their contributions, Amey also spoke about the importance of serving in the military. This year’s Veterans Day ceremonies once again finds America in the midst of war, and Amey said it is important for communities across the nation to give their full support for the men and women overseas, along with their families.
"Hopefully, never again will this battle return to American soil," Amey said. "We remain today as free as we were 200 years ago and as determined to protect this great nation and the way we live, work and play."
Military service, he said, "demands a special kind of sacrifice," which puts a soldier’s own needs second to the needs of his country and what it stands for.
"All of you today, please remember the price that was paid for this cause, and I ask you to support the loved ones that were left behind," he said. Amey added that America’s cause is the "hope of the world," with its men and women in uniform forming a "long line of unbroken honor."
Monday’s ceremonies on St. Thomas started out with a parade, which usually winds its way up from the Western Cemetery to the park. Speaking Monday, Gov. John deJongh Jr. said he has noticed the crowd grow in size and enthusiasm each year.
"Today more than anything, when I look back at the other ceremonies on St. John, this morning on St. Croix and this afternoon on St. Thomas, there’s something that’s very different and I’ve seen it over and over in the the last couple of years: There’s a difference in the parade and the people that line the streets to watch," he said.
"There’s a certain pride, a certain energy that come from those that are looking at what we’re doing, and it clearly gives you an indication that there’s a feeling, an emotion and an understanding there."
DeJongh said since the transfer of the Virgin Islands in the 1930’s, the territory’s military personnel have distinguished themselves in a life of "service above self." Starting with the first Transfer Day ceremony, it was the territory’s veterans that sat in the front row and cheered, while the notable Virgin Islanders – from John deJongh Sr. to Austin "Babe" Monsanto, Leo Sibilly and former Gov. Alexander Farrelly – helped to lead the first two V.I. companies into war in 1942 and 1944.
These individuals entered the military to better themselves, and upon returning, gave their time to philanthropic causes, from Rotaries to Lions Clubs, deJongh said.
