Nov. 12, 2001 – As America's armed forces do battle a half a world away in Afghanistan, residents of St. Croix paid tribute Monday to veterans of the country's other wars.
Hundreds of people gathered along King Street in Christiansted as local veterans, V.I. National Guard troops and school color guards marched to the sounds of the VING band. The procession ended at the bandstand along King's Wharf, where a host of speakers, including Gov. Charles W. Turnbull, praised the men and women who have served and sacrificed for their country.
This year's Veterans Day marked the 50th anniversary of the Korean War and was dedicated to the men who fought there. According to Lt. Col. Carolyn Adams, some 531 Virgin Islanders went to Korea. Now, 50 years later, the ranks have thinned to 308 veterans still living.
While thoughts were turned to veterans and past wars, many of the speakers touched upon the events of Sept. 11 and the subsequent war in Afghanistan.
"Now this generation has been called to the plate," Turnbull said. "And we won't strike out."
Delegate Donna Christian Christensen said that after the September terrorist attacks, "we now have a deepened and heightened sensitivity to war."
Turnbull said the United States was right in pursuing the war, despite criticism from some observers.
"There is no better place than America. If anyone can find a place, tell me," he said, while conceding that the country does have its flaws. "We who are civilized will not let the uncivilized conquer us," he said.
