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Governor John P. de Jongh, Jr. has signed a proclamation designating Nov. 11 as “Veterans Day” in the Virgin Islands to honor the brave men and women whose sacrifices serve as constant reminders of the high price of liberty. Each year on Veterans Day we pause to express our respect and gratitude for the millions of men and women who have proudly worn their nation’s uniform.
“Once again we all meet to observe a holiday born from a horrific war, and meant to focus the attention of our country on the aspiration of peace,” Governor de Jongh said. “Most importantly of all, we celebrate our Nation’s and our territory’s heroes: the men and women who serve, or have served, in the Armed Forces of the United States of America. Their service and courage humbles us, and we thank them with all our hearts,” the governor added.
Veterans Day originally was founded as “Armistice Day”—a day dedicated to peace, and on which it was fitting to honor those who have kept our nation strong and our freedom secure. America’s veterans have been steadfast guardians of peace and liberty not only here at home but also around the world.
“The citizens of our nation and the territory continue to live in freedom because of the sacrifices made by those who served in the Armed forces of the United States in time of national peril, especially those serving in Iraq and Afghanistan,” de Jongh said.
This year we continue paying tribute to the thousands of veterans in the U.S. Virgin Islands, who by their continued devotion to the highest ideals of patriotism and citizenship, constitute a foundation of both strength and progress in the territory.
The Virgin Islands Community also joins in grateful thanks to the men and women of America’s Armed Forces and the Virgin Islands National Guard as we salute them for their dedicated, loyal, and devoted service to our citizens and community.
Two parades will mark Veterans Day in the territory. On St. Croix the parade and ceremonies will be held on Friday morning and the parade and ceremonies take place on St. Thomas tomorrow afternoon.
De Jongh urges all citizens to remember the sacrifices and contributions of all those who, when called upon to do so, served honorably in wartime to preserve our heritage of freedom, and to join in paying tribute to veterans.
“Rededicating ourselves to the task of preserving world peace is the most profound reward we might bestow upon veterans,” de Jongh said.
