Photo Focus: St. Thomas Veterans Day Parade Marches On

Friday was a day for Virgin Islands military vets to shine, even as the clouds brought showers to Charlotte Amalie between a Friday morning parade and the ceremony on the waterfront.

The V.I. National Guard, Junior ROTC groups from the public schools, and uniformed services marched down the waterfront in Charlotte Amalie. (Judi Shimel photo)
In the Covid-19 years, because of social distancing, Veteran’s Day in the Virgin Islands was celebrated modestly… (Judi Shimel photo)
…and that left a lot to make up for in 2022,… (Judi Shimel photo)
… to the delight of the territory’s leaders, (Judi Shimel photo)
… and those who have proudly served. (Judi Shimel photo)
And a history-making appearance from U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, the first indigenous American to serve in a presidential cabinet. Left-to-right: Sen. Marvin Blyden, Sen-At-Large Angel Bolques, Secretary Haaland, Sen. President Donna Frett-Gregory, Sen. Carla Joseph. (Judi Shimel photo)

A St. Thomas vet who went the extra mile to honor the dead by playing Taps at every gravesite was honored himself by the Office of Veterans Affairs. So was a St. John vet who once served with the 82nd Airborne and came home to grow a marine-based workforce for the transportation industry.