At a Tuesday ceremony in Franklin D. Roosevelt Veterans Memorial Park, a devoted wife told the story of how her husband — the day’s honoree — joined the military.

Henry Augutus Powell was a few years younger than his brother, Kendall Emanuel George, who had already joined the armed forces and was serving in Vietnam. The two brothers were planning to reunite in Southeast Asia as soon as Henry completed his training as a Marine.

Then came word that Kendall was killed in combat. Grieving but determined to follow in his brother’s path, Henry Powell — then 18 — switched affiliations to the U.S. Navy and took the long way around to ‘Nam.

The year was 1967. Before his retirement from the service in 1989, the younger Powell served aboard a number of Navy ships as well as on Naval bases as a petty officer — and eventually chief petty officer — specializing in inventory control and military training.

“With deep pride in his 22 years of service in the U.S. Navy, Henry encourages others to consider military careers for the opportunities they offer in discipline and personal growth. He cherishes the experience and friendships forged along the way,” said Carol Smith-Powell — his wife, “and he’s always eager to share his story with others.”

As a member of American Legion Viggo Sewer Post No. 131, the honoree still serves as the charge officer. Post Commander Harry Daniel planned to honor Henry Powell at a St. John ceremony in 2024 but heavy rains forced organizers to cancel that year’s Veterans Day ceremony.

So when the veterans groups on St. Thomas and St. John combined their celebrations the following year, Powell received that long-awaited recognition.

Twenty-twenty-five came with its own set of circumstances. A 41-day federal shutdown caused by a dispute between the White House and Congress kept the Virgin Islands National Guard away from the annual parade. Adjutant General Kodjo Knox-Limbaker addressed those gathered for the ceremony, dressed in a suit and tie.

As military members, he said, we are used to obeying orders. The order of the day was to dress in civilian clothes and to keep the National Guard out of the parade, Limbaker said.

But those who marched came in uniform. Hundreds of high school student members of the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps and members of American Legion Post 90 made sure that those who served were well represented.

Lt. Gov. Tregenza Roach, Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett and members of the 36th Legislature walked the parade route behind the color guard.

At the end of the march, legionnaires shared their stories about military service. Kathryn Vincent de Lugo said family ties led her to a stint in the Navy. “My dad was in the military; he was in the Air Force and the Army, and I wanted to go into the Marine Corps, but we didn’t have a Marine Corps recruiter and I didn’t want to go into the Army,” she said, where her duties centered on grave registrations.

Legionnaire Beverly Smith-Baron took the Army route, serving in the National Guard for 25 years. “I started in 1977 at 18 years,” she said. At the time, she said, her father was already in the service and a neighbor encouraged her to consider a career of her own.

That decision led her to a chance to serve as the noncommissioned officer at the National Guard Training Academy.

Post 131 Legionnaire Alvis Christian spoke about his brief military career. “I served in the Navy from 1969 to 1971; I came out after two years … now I’m sorry that I did because I’m realizing I should have stayed in,” he said.

When she was asked what advice she would give to young people thinking about life in the armed forces, Baron said if they sign up, they should try to make their service count. “If they have an interest in being in the military, I would say, ‘Don’t quit,’ “ she said. “When you put in the years it takes to become a veteran, it pays off in the end.”