Veterans, elected officials, active-duty service members, and community members gathered Monday at Verne I. Richards Veterans Memorial Park on St. Croix to honor fallen military heroes during a solemn Memorial Day ceremony hosted by the American Legion Bromley Berkley Post 133.
The ceremony paid tribute to the men and women who gave their lives in service to the United States, while also recognizing the deep military legacy of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“Today, we gather not merely to celebrate freedom, but to remember those who gave their lives defending it,” guest speaker Major Arthur R. Burton of the Virgin Islands Air National Guard told attendees. “Memorial Day is not just another holiday. It is more than cookouts, parades, or a long weekend. Memorial Day is our most sincere act of remembrance.”
The event opened with remarks from post leadership, who welcomed veterans, Gold Star families, government officials and members of the community.
“Today we gather not in celebration, but in solemn remembrance,” organizers said during the opening remarks. “Memorial Day is a sacred pause in the life of our nation, the moment when we turn our hearts toward the men and women who laid down their lives in service to the United States of America.”
A proclamation from Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. was read by Command Chief Master Sgt. Neville Lee, officially proclaiming Monday, May 25, 2026, as Memorial Day in the Virgin Islands.
The proclamation reflected on the sacrifices of deceased service members and recognized the territory’s long-standing tradition of military service.
“By paying homage to the proud soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen members who have given their full measure of devotion for our great nation, we renew our commitment to upholding the ideals they fought and died to preserve,” the proclamation stated.
American Legion District 10 Commander Secundino Roman Cruz reminded attendees that Memorial Day represents far more than the unofficial start of summer.
“Today is not just a three-day weekend,” Cruz said. “We are here to remember the men and women who stood in the gap between freedom and tyranny, who served, who answered the call of duty, and who gave what President Abraham Lincoln called the last full measure of devotion.”
Cruz also addressed Gold Star families directly, acknowledging the lifelong grief carried by families of fallen service members.
“While the nation grieves our fallen on this specific day, we know that you carry the weight of their absence every single day,” he said.
Burton’s keynote address highlighted the military creeds of each branch of service, connecting them to the sacrifices made by fallen troops.
“These creeds are not simply traditions,” Burton said. “They are declarations of service, declarations of loyalty, declarations of sacrifice, and declarations of love.”
He also reflected on the Virgin Islands’ contributions to the armed forces.
“We remember the Virgin Islander who left these shores in service to this nation and never returned,” Burton said. “Because of them, we are free to gather here today. Because of them, our flag still flies.”
Delegate to Congress Stacey E. Plaskett spoke about the territory’s military service record and ongoing efforts to advocate for veterans and military families in Washington.
“Our islands may be small in size, but they are immense in their contributions to the United States military,” Plaskett said. “There are few places in the United States with higher per capita rates of military service than the United States Virgin Islands.”
She noted that Virgin Islanders have served in every major conflict involving the United States, even before residents were granted full citizenship.
Plaskett also highlighted legislation and federal initiatives aimed at improving health care access, housing assistance and employment opportunities for veterans, including support for TRICARE Prime access and tax incentives for businesses hiring veterans and reservists.
“Too often the sacrifices of territorial veterans go unseen,” she said. “Too often our islands are an afterthought in the national conversation. We must honor those who have fallen by how we honor this day and how we treat those in service now.”
Representing the Bryan administration, St. Croix Administrator Sammuel Sanes encouraged residents to continue honoring fallen service members.
“This should be filled to capacity,” Sanes said, referring to the crowd gathered at the park. “This is the day we remember those individuals who gave us this opportunity to stand, to talk, to express our views.”
Following the remarks, organizers proceeded with a roll call honoring deceased veterans from May 2025 to May 2026, followed by the placing of wreaths, rifle salute and the placing of roses in the ocean. Those names were John A. Fought, Lionel A. Andreas, Marjorie Ann Drummond, Robert P. Yearwood, Courtney W. Woods, Bernard Christian, Selassie A. Newton, Raul A. Garcia, Christian Olaf Christensen, James A. Maynard, Gordon M. Haynes, John C. DeGrasse, Alric M. Battiste, Richard A. Schrader, John A. Bell, and Andres Avila-Esperanza.
