On Monday morning, at 9 a.m., Memorial Day, ceremonies took place on St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix simultaneously. The gathering in Cruz Bay took place in Franklin Powell, Sr. Park.
Members of the American Legion Post 131 took seats in the park’s bandstand, along with guest speaker Sen. Dwayne DeGraff. Post Commander Harry Daniel reminded the audience about the heavy rains that had canceled Memorial Day in 2024.
For that reason, Daniel said, last year’s honoree would be recognized as part of Monday’s ceremony. Post 131 Charge Officer Henry Powell accepted a plaque and thanked his comrades for recognizing him.
“I’d like to say again thanks to you, my friends, my comrades for this honor,” he said.
Edmund Roberts read a proclamation issued by Gov. Albert Bryan Jr., honoring the sacrifice of Virgin Islands soldiers, sailors, Air Force personnel, Marines, and Coast Guard members who gave their lives in the line of duty.
Among those remembered were St. Johnians Viggo Sewer and Kendall Emanuel George — the late brother of honoree Henry Powell. DeGraff said he was honored to witness the dedication of road signs in their memory.
DeGraff, himself a lawmaker, law enforcement officer, and military veteran, said anyone who signs up for military service could face the same fate. “There’s no way you could thank someone who has given the ultimate sacrifice, but I guess the best we can do is like this; taking the time to come … to talk to each other and to reminisce why we’re here,” he said.
Monday’s ceremony also included a moment to honor veterans who returned home, lived full lives and died since the last Memorial Day. Legionnaire Franklin Powell Jr. read the names of the recently departed from the St. Thomas-St. John district.
The St. John ceremony ended with a rifle salute by the Virgin Islands Army National Guard, followed by the playing of taps.
