The V.I. Department of Education’s Cultural Education Division in collaboration with the American Legion District 10 recently facilitated the donation and presentation of copies of the DVD titled “Proudly We Served: Virgin Islands Veterans of World War II” to the libraries of junior and senior high schools in the St. Thomas-St. John District. The DVDs chronicle the lives of over 30 Virgin Islands veterans of World War II who are still alive and willing to share their stories.
Joan Keenan, video project director for the American Legion, contacted Education about the donation and received assistance with air and ground transport to the schools in order to make the actual presentations in person. Joined by Assistant Director for the Office of Veterans Affairs and Vietnam veteran Harry Daniel, students and teachers at the Charlotte Amalie and Ivanna Eudora Kean High Schools, the Addelita Cancryn Junior High, Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School and Julius Sprauve School received an overview of the DVD, screened several clips and witnessed the formal presentation to their librarians.
Glenn “Kwabena” Davis, director of the Cultural Education Division, said, “Schools were encouraged to ensure that all classes would have the opportunity and privilege to view the video, which is a collection of excerpts from recent interviews, photographs from personal collections, newsreel footage, newspaper clippings and more. It is lively, active and vividly conveys what life was like during the 1940s locally and abroad, and the impact of the war on the Virgin Islands. I am particularly excited about the piece being shared across the curriculum since it can assist with advancing important goals of the department as well as those of the Cultural Education Division that focus on academic and social skill development. These skills include: reading, writing, research, intergenerational connection and interaction, as well as appreciation for Virgin Islanders who have contributed to their homeland and their nation.”
According to Keenan, in late 2007, the Legion authorized a volunteer video production program to produce the 60-minute documentary. It explores the veterans’ motivations to serve, their experiences with racial segregation on the mainland and in the armed services, their contributions to the war effort and its effects on their lives.
Supporters of this project include FirstBank, Banco Popular, the V.I. Humanities Council, National Endowment for the Humanities, Office of the Lieutenant Governor, Office of Veterans Affairs and the Division of Libraries and Museums. Copies of the DVD are available for purchase.
For more information, contact Joan Keenan at 514-0643 or janjay@mac.com.
