Tourists and locals alike took in the Veteran’s Day parade in Frederiksted Monday as hundreds of folks, young and old and in uniform, marched in the annual commemoration.
Young children were running, under the watchful eyes of their parents, from slides to swings in the playground. On King Street, high schools were showing their musical skills in the marching band. And all around Buddhoe Park vendors had their wares displayed for milling passengers of the docked Jewel of the Sea.
Frederiksted does not often feature events that pull large numbers of locals and tourists downtown at the same time.
Although a sizable number of police officers were on watch around the Buddhoe Park and up and down Strand Street, the last worry anyone had was security with so many uniforms in sight.
V.I. National Guardsman marched in camouflage fatigues. The Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps from St. Croix Central High School, in blue, and St. Croix Educational Complex, in green, proudly marched from the Frederiksted post office to the park.
The veterans from American Legion Posts 85, 102 and 133 also marched to the park, where folding chairs were set up for the older gentlemen to rest. St. Croix Boy Scouts and Seventh-day Adventists Path Finders club marched. Also taking part were members of the Civil Air Patrol and the V.I. Chapter Tuskegee Airmen Youth Aviation Club.
Annie Day Henry, commander of Enrique Romero Nieves Post 102, served as the parade marshal.
Amos L. Sealey, commander of Legion Post 85, and Bertram Charles, chaplain of Post 85, read a POW/MIA memorial tribute.
Retired Lt. Col. Beresford Edwards gave the keynote address. He said that since the Korean War more than 100 Virgin Islanders have made the ultimate sacrifice serving their country.
“We must never forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice, and the wounded warriors,” Edwards said.
Delegate to Congress Donna M. Christiansen said Veteran’s Day gives an opportunity to thank and remember the veterans of both world wars, Korea, Desert Storm and conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. She added it was very important to remember and honor the Vietnam veterans that did not get recognition when they returned home.
Gov. John deJongh Jr. said he understands that those who serve must come home to good jobs. He added we must learn to do better for those who serve us.
Kate Freeman, St. Croix resident, said she has friends in the military and she came to the program to show support.
“I’m so thankful for the people in the military who protect us,” Freeman said. “It’s important to me to honor and support people serving in the military.”
The Santa Cruz Brass Ensemble played patriotic music for the ceremony. The majorettes and marching bands from Central and Complex also took part in the parade. Auxiliary members from the Legion also marched.
Home Depot employees gave bottled water to veterans, volunteers and the youths who participated in the parade.
Even after the parade down King Street, students from Central gave another performance on the waterfront. Tourists were all smiles and could not seem to get enough photos of the talented young performers.
