In a written statement Monday, Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. called for the Virgin Islands community to join in prayer for peace and protection following a missile attack on a U.S. military base in Qatar, and in response to growing unrest in the territory.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the brave men and women in uniform who serve our nation with honor,” Bryan said in a statement. “The missile attack on a U.S. air base is a sobering reminder of the dangers our service members face every day in defense of our freedoms. We pray for their safety, for wisdom in leadership, and for a swift path to peace in the region.”
Beyond international conflict, Bryan also addressed rising tensions at home.
“We must also pray for peace in our streets. Too many people are carrying heavy burdens, and it’s showing in how we treat each other,” he said. “The anger we see around us —whether in acts of violence or in the way we speak to one another — should not be what defines us as Virgin Islanders. We are better than this.”
He urged faith leaders, families, and community organizations to unite in prayer and solidarity, emphasizing that compassion and understanding are essential to lasting peace.
“Let us recommit ourselves to being peacemakers through our words and through our actions,” Bryan said. “The world is watching, and more importantly, our children are watching. Let us give them a better example.”
