Oct. 4, 2006 — Area veterans, Senate representatives and government officials were on hand this week at the American Legion Hall in Gallows Bay to witness the unveiling of plans for the V.I. Military Museum and Memorial Complex, a multimillion dollar facility designed to honor the contributions of V.I. veterans, both living and deceased.
"We are making history," said Philip Masi, president of the Honorary Military Monument & Portrait Corporation (HMMP), a Puerto Rico-based nonprofit that creates memorial monuments and museums to honor veterans.
According to plans unveiled Tuesday, the complex will have:
— a two-floor museum housing large-scale battle scenes ranging from WWII to the war in Afghanistan; along with paintings of V.I. military heroes and other high-ranking officials.
— a clinic providing state-of-the-art medical treatment to local veterans.
— a courtyard displaying a large statue of a male and female combat soldier in action.
— an educational theater showcasing historic battle footage and interviews with V.I. soldiers.
According to Masi, the project will be a great boost to tourism because there is no other veterans memorial dedicated predominantly to people of color. All proceeds from the project will benefit V.I. veterans. "It's like building a house and just giving you the keys," Masi said. Although the government will maintain the property, veterans will be able to utilize the facility at no cost.
During the unveiling ceremony, attendees reviewed various locations for the site, including Estate Body Slob near the Kingshill cemetery, which was received favorably by attending veterans.
While progress is definitely being made on the complex, there is currently one delay that needs to be addressed. According to American Legion District Commander Lawrence Bastien, the V.I. government needs to activate the board assigned to the development of the complex.
Funds for the complex are being raised through both the private and public sectors. Masi and Egbert Thomas, HMMP executive vice president, reportedly took out personal loans totaling $81,000 to begin the project's infrastructure. In July 2006 the project also received a $150,000 grant from the V.I. government for continuation of the project.
A November fund-raiser — proposed to raise another $150,000 — is currently scheduled in Washington, D.C., after Veterans Day.
The complex also has the full support of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and former congressmen Jack Kemp and J.C. Watts, who have come together with other current congressional officials to support the complex.
A second fund-raiser, scheduled for January, hopes to generate another $1 million for the project. Masi hopes former Secretary of State Colin Powell will be in attendance.
Sen. Juan Figueroa-Serville, Veterans Affairs committee chairman, said he "will make sure to do [his] due diligence" to ensure the project's success.
The project, which began in March 1996, was spearheaded by then Sen. Alicia "Chucky" Hansen. Three years later, Sen. Norman Jn Baptiste drafted legislation recognizing the creation of the museum. In 2001 Gov. Charles Turnbull signed the bill into law.
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