VI/USVI Friendship Day celebrated in St. John
The USVI Government, headed by its elected Governor John P. de Jongh Jr. and Lieutenant Governor Gregory R. Francis, rolled out the red carpet Saturday as it welcomed people from both the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Virgin Islands (VI) to celebrate the 39th annual USVI-VI Friendship Day.
The VI delegation was headed by leader of Government business and Premier Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith with many of his Ministers and other elected officials being on hand. While the United Kingdom appointed Governor Boyd McCleary was a no show, Deputy Governor V. Inez Archibald was on hand.
No members of the Opposition Party in the House of Assembly attended the celebrations, however, many individuals received invitations from the USVI Governor's office to attend and made up the VI delegation.
“We share a common culture. We celebrate the ties that bind us," was the theme repeated by speakers and many of those who attended the event, with several from the USVI speaking about their family roots from Tortola, and Virgin Gorda.
“My mom is from Virgin Gorda, my dad from Tortola and my wife from Tortola,” St. John resident Jose Penn told the Virgin Islands Source newspaper.
Premier Dr. Smith and his delegation were greeted at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility in Cruz Bay by steel pan music. The celebration started at Cruz Bay Park, where students from Julius E. Sprauve, Guy Benjamin and Gifft Hill Schools sang several songs. It spilled out to the street for a small parade featuring the Sprauve School Gulls band, the Rainbow Dancers from Gifft Hill, the Love City Leapers jump rope team, and others according to the VI Source.
The buffet breakfast in the park, gave all sides a time to mix and mingle and for Dr. Smith to introduce his new Ministers of Government and others to their counterparts, appointed Commissioners who are members of Gov. de Jongh’s Cabinet and elected Senators from the USVI Legislature.
The activities shifted to the USVI National Park’s Annaberg Plantation, where organizers had a slew of cultural demonstrations set up among the ruins. It was a time to see officials dancing from both sides including Gov. John P. de Jongh Jr., VI Deputy Governor V. Inez Archibald and VI Premier Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith.
Dr. Smith in his speech told the attendees that economics brought the VI and USVI closer together, and suggested that a third of those living in the USVI territory population have VI roots.
The USVI Governor made news by suggesting that the VI might consider a joint marketing campaign with the USVI.
Lt. Gov. Gregory R. Francis, who could be a contender for his boss’ seat in 2015, noted that “today we’re celebrating friendship and we’re celebrating families.”
Lyada Lohr from the VI Source contributed to this story. The VI Source.com is one of Virgin Islands News Online’s many media partners in the USVI.
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26 Responses to “VI/USVI Friendship Day celebrated in St. John”
What a disconnect!
All in the name of so-called "family" relations!!
Hmm...
Stop worry about dejoungh & Smith's ferry because Orlando made up for it by giving Smith a no bid contract for over quarter of a million dollars to do an extra Ferry run to Anegada from Tortola as soon as the NDP took office. The other Ferry had to tender to get the contract they have but we know his time is limited with the NDP in office. That's why eye-ra always defends them because they always looks out for him even if they have to break the rules while doing it.
"If honey in the rock, Virgin Islanders(British) MUST GET THEIR SHARE!!!