Delegate Stacey Plaskett’s H.R. 5034 designates the St. Croix Post Office located at 2119 Market Square in Christiansted, St. Croix, as the “Lieutenant General Samuel E. Ebbesen Post Office,” according to her office.
“A native of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, Lt. General (Ret.) Samuel E. Ebbesen has had a distinguished career in the military, business, community, and public service,” according to the bill. Ebbesen received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the City College of New York, a Master’s degree in public administration from Auburn University and attended the program for senior managers in government at Harvard University. Ebbesen retired from the United States Army as a three-star general in January 1997. During his tenure, he held a variety of key command and staff positions, including Operations Officer, 7th Infantry Division, Ft. Ord, CA; Chief of Staff, I Corp, Ft. Lewis, WA; and Deputy Chief Legislative Liaison, Office of the Secretary of the Army.
“As a young man at City College he became great friends with former Secretary of State Colin Powell, who became his professional mentor. As two Caribbean men in New York, they became fast friends and supported each other’s military careers—General Ebbesen had the honor of being one of few people who spoke at the funeral service of Secretary Powell. He is married to Lillian Yordan, and they have two children, Christopher and Candice, along with three grandchildren,” according to a recent release from Plaskett’s office.
Ebbesen commanded at every level to include the First Brigade, 101st Airborne (Air Assault) Division, Ft. Campbell, KY; 6th Infantry Division, Ft. Wainwright, AK and the Second U.S. Army, Ft. Gillam, GA, where he was responsible for all training and deployment readiness for Reserve units in the eight southern states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Early in this assignment, he was selected to command the Department of Defense Joint Task Force charged with leading the rescue and recovery operations from the devastation of Category 5 Hurricane Andrew in South Florida, according to the press release.
Vivian Ebbesen-Fludd (daughter of George A. and Enid M. Ebbesen), local businesswoman and cousin of Ebbesen shared, “Lt. General (Ret.) Samuel E. Ebbesen is a highly respected and decorated veteran, but most importantly from our family circle perspective, he has been and remains a very humble, down-to-earth, and caring family member, friend, and son of the soil of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, with an unwavering and huge heart. In his career he has served and represented his country, this community and territory on many fronts and has always maintained and shared love, care and concern for his family and his beloved U.S. Virgin Islands. ‘Sam,’ as we affectionately know him, is most deserving of this honor in his lifetime for his remarkable commitment, distinguished service and accomplishments in the military, business and public service. As members of the Ebbesen family, we are ecstatic that when successful, this designation of the United States Post Office located in Christiansted Market Square will be prominently bestowed upon Lt. General Ebbesen in his island home and town, where his life, legacy and ancestral roots run deep. We extend our gratitude to Congresswoman Plaskett for her efforts and seeing it fit to bestow upon Lt. General Samuel E. Ebbesen such honor and distinction that is well deserved.”
Reginald Vigilant, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Omni Systems, Inc. and friend of Ebbesen, shared, “The proposed renaming of the St. Croix post office in honor of Lt. General Ebbesen symbolizes the profound gratitude for his unwavering commitment to our nation. May this act serve as a constant reminder of the selfless dedication of our military heroes and inspire us all to strive for excellence in service and leadership.”
Ebbesen shared, “I am deeply honored to be considered to have the Market Square Post Office in Christiansted, St. Croix to be named after me. As a proud Virgin Islander, I am humbled by this effort and fully support the proposed legislation.”
“It is always an honor to recognize and pay homage to great Virgin Islanders. Lt. General Ebbesen has led an exceptional career and continues to make an impact,” said Plaskett. “I’m so happy we can do this during General Ebbesen’s lifetime. Giving him his flowers now. His legacy will now be enshrined in Virgin Islands history and our community through the naming of the Market Square Post Office on St. Croix in honor of his many accomplishments. Virgin Islanders have served throughout this country’s history and having a federal building recognize that service by this naming is important.”
This legislation, if passed out of the House Oversight Committee, would proceed to the House floor for a full vote. If passed there, it would need to be voted on in the Senate. If passed in the House and the Senate, it would then be sent to the President’s desk to be signed into law, the release stated.
The bill can be found here.
