Under a bright, sunny sky, St. Croix honored veterans with a parade and ceremony in Frederiksted beginning at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 11. Spectators lined King Street to Strand, at the participants marched through town, finishing at the reviewing stand.
Veterans Day celebrations were held on all three islands.
The St. Croix Veterans Day Parade was headed by local and national dignitaries, including Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett, Gov. Albert Bryan Jr., Brig. Gen. Kodjo S. Knox-Limbacker, State Director of Veterans Affairs Patrick Farrell, Sens. Novelle Francis and Javan James and VITEMA DIrecotr Daryl Jaschen.
Army National Guard Units, the 73rd Army Band, Junior ROTC units from St. Croix Central High School and St. Croix Educational Complex, American Legion Post No. 85, the Education Complex;s Barracudas Marching Band and Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts were among those who participated.
American Legion District No. 10 Commander Charles David, one of this year’s honorees, was the first Virgin Islands Army National Guard member to graduate from the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy. He became the Command Sergeant Major of the Virgin Islands National Guard. His military awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters.