Over its 50 years of existence, the Virgin Islands National Guard has suffered the loss of servicemembers. On Sunday, one day before the annual national observance of the Sept. 11 attack on the United States, the Guard took time to remember those who died in the line of duty.
The Remembrance Day program took place on the Veterans Drive Promenade on St. Thomas with uniformed guardsmen, members of the American Legion, high school students and government officials attending. Among them were relatives of Virgin Islanders who served in the U.S. Armed Forces and have since died.
Also seated among them was Gold Star Mom Delita Francis, whose son, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Lyle Turnbull died while still on active duty. American Legion Cmdr. Hillis Benjamin called on the audience to observe the National Gold Star Mothers and Families Day on Sept. 24.
Those who join the armed forces do not serve alone, Benjamin said; their families serve alongside them. To acknowledge that is one way to honor those who died.
V.I. National Guard Col. Lionel Eddy noted that Sunday’s observance takes place as part of the 50th anniversary. “This is 50 years we are celebrating being part of a great organization,” Eddy said.
Then came the time of remembrance. Eddy read the roll call of the decades from 1973 to 2023 and invited the families of those who lost loved ones to accept a flag or flower tribute. Students from the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps from Charlotte Amalie High School and the Ivanna Eudora Kean High School planted flags and candles along the promenade walkway. They tossed flowers into the harbor.
Surviving family and friends marched to the bulkhead, armed with carnations and balloons. A few tears flowed.
First Sgt. Francis Callwood brought his trumpet and played Taps while soldiers and students stood in salute.
“I’m glad I was invited,” Francis said, “The ceremony was awesome; it was touching. I just sit back and remember, and I’m feeling positive, and I thank the National Guard for doing this.”
There will be a Sept. 11 commemoration in Emancipation Garden on Monday at noon.
